The American journal of emergency medicine
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This narrative review explores current literature base detailing the effectiveness of alternative CPR instruction as compared to traditional CPR courses in the lay population. Assessment of alternative instructional methods found that video self-instruction and simplified CPR formats resulted in equivalent performance of CPR metrics and practical scenario assessment performance, as compared to traditional CPR instruction courses. While additional research is needed to further substantiate the value of self-directed learning, interactive digital, and abbreviated formats, these studies also suggested equivalence in CPR performance compared to traditional courses. In view of the importance of bystander CPR in OHCA outcomes, and the barriers presented by traditional CPR education courses, we recommend that public safety leaders and CPR educators strongly consider the introduction of these programs within their communities and classrooms.
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Review
Clinical update on COVID-19 for the emergency and critical care clinician: Medical management.
Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in millions of cases worldwide. As the pandemic has progressed, the understanding of this disease has evolved. ⋯ This review provides a focused update of the medical management of COVID-19 for emergency and critical care clinicians to help improve care for these patients.
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Emergency department (ED) hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening programs are proliferating, and it is unknown whether EDs are more effective than traditional community screening at promoting HCV follow-up care. The objective of this study was to investigate whether patients screened HCV seropositive (HCV+) in the ED are linked to care and retained in treatment more successfully than patients screened HCV+ in the community. ⋯ Compared to community screening, HCV screening in the ED was associated with higher rates of disease confirmation, treatment initiation/completion, and cure. Our findings provide new evidence that EDs may be the most effective setting to screen patients for HCV to promote follow-up care.
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Observational Study
Effects of Smart Advanced Life Support protocol implementation including CPR coaching during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
The aim of this study was to compare out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes before and after implementation of Smart Advanced Life Support (SALS) protocol incorporating changes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) assistance and coaching by physicians via real-time video calls. ⋯ A multidisciplinary SALS protocol for the resuscitation of patients with OHCA was associated with increased prehospital ROSC, survival to discharge, and good neurologic outcomes compared with traditional resuscitation protocol.