The American journal of emergency medicine
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Over a six-month period, the New Jersey Poison Information System received 61 calls related to exposures to alkaline corrosives. Seven of these calls related to a new oven-cleaner product, oven-cleaner pads. These pads are sealed in a protective plastic wrap and contain lye in excess of 5%. ⋯ Five of the callers sustained injuries from their exposure, and three of these sustained burns, one in the oral cavity and one in the eye. None suffered permanent sequelae, but the potential for such is considerable. The method of application, concentration of base, and prolonged exposure to a widely covered area may make this product particularly hazardous.
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Comparative Study
Pre-hospital tracheal intubation versus esophageal gastric tube airway use: a prospective study.
A prospective study compared the respiratory effectiveness of the endotracheal tube (ET) with that of the esophageal gastric tube airway (EGTA) for victims of nontraumatic cardiac arrest in the pre-hospital setting. Arterial blood gases were obtained within 3 minutes of hospital arrival, and survival (defined as discharge from the hospital) was determined. ⋯ During ET ventilation, mean pH was 7.34 +/- 0.2, mean P02 was 265 +/- 151 mm Hg, mean PC02 was 35 +/- 20.5 mm Hg; the survival rate was 7%. The authors conclude that endotracheal intubation remains the procedure of choice for airway management in the victim of cardiopulmonary arrest.
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Comparative Study
Ventilatory volumes using mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask, and bag-valve-mask techniques.
The volumes delivered to a resuscitation manikin were compared using four ventilatory techniques: mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask, one-person bag-valve-mask, and two-person bag-valve-mask. The effects of experience and sex of the rescuer on the resuscitation volume delivered were also evaluated. The volume delivered using the one-person bag-valve-mask technique was significantly less than that using the other three techniques (P less than 0.001). ⋯ The mean volumes delivered using mouth-to-mouth and mouth-to-mask ventilation were lower than those recommended by the American Heart Association. Emphasis must be placed on ventilation with an adequate volume when these techniques are taught. When mouth-to-mouth and mouth-to-mask ventilation are taught, a spirometer should be used with the manikin so that the rescuer can learn how to estimate an adequate expired volume.