Resuscitation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of three simulation-based training methods for management of medical emergencies.
Trainee medical officers (TMOs) participated in a study comparing three methods of simulation-based training to treat medical emergencies occurring in a hospital setting. The methods were: All groups had the same total teaching time. Participants (n=61) had an initial (pre-training) assessment by written tests, self assessment and simulations of medical emergencies ('VT' and 'HYPOglycaemia'). ⋯ In the 'ANA' scenario, Group 3 had far better test scores, especially in behavioural items. There did not appear to be any significant advantage of using whole body manikins over CSBT and simple part-task trainers. Full-mission simulation training helped develop the ability to recognise when skills learnt to manage one type of medical emergency can be useful in managing another emergency not previously encountered.
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Multicenter Study
Body temperature management after severe traumatic brain injury: methods and protocols used in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
To establish whether there is consensus in the management of body temperature in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to hospitals in the United Kingdom and Ireland for neurosurgical intensive care. ⋯ From this survey, it is evident that there is no consensus in the approach to temperature management in neurosurgical intensive care patients with severe TBI. Review and rationalisation of systems of care may be required in an effort to develop evidence-based nationwide guidelines.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Influence of medical direction on the management of prehospital myocardial infarction.
Prehospital management of myocardial infarction was evaluated in two differently structured Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems in Southern Finland: a physician directed EMS with on-site physician involvement (physician EMS) and an EMS without operational physician involvement with paramedics only (non-physician EMS). The management of 641 consecutive acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients between 1997 and 1999 (263 patients in the physician EMS group and 378 patients in non-physician EMS group) were studied. Patients treated in the physician EMS received all necessary medical care including thrombolytic therapy at the scene whereas patients in the non-physician EMS were transported to hospital for definitive treatment after initial care. ⋯ Fifty-two patients (20%) in the physician EMS received thrombolytic therapy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to two patients in the non-physician EMS (p<0.001). Of the resuscitated patients in the physician directed EMS group 60% were discharged from the hospital, and 44% of these had a good neurological recovery. We conclude that a physician directed EMS is able to reduce the pain to therapy delays significantly in STEMI patients and may offer thrombolytic therapy to a wider patient group compared to an EMS without operational medical involvement.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Adverse events associated with lay emergency response programs: the public access defibrillation trial experience.
The adverse event (AE) profile of lay volunteer CPR and public access defibrillation (PAD) programs is unknown. We undertook to investigate the frequency, severity, and type of AE's occurring in widespread PAD implementation. ⋯ AED use following widespread training of lay-persons in CPR and AED is generally safe for the volunteer and the patient. Lay volunteers may report significant, usually transient, emotional stress following response to a potential cardiac arrest. Within the context of this prospective, randomized multi-center study, AEDs have an exceptionally high safety profile when used by trained lay responders.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Empiric tenecteplase is associated with increased return of spontaneous circulation and short term survival in cardiac arrest patients unresponsive to standard interventions.
Prospective and retrospective studies have shown that empiric use of fibrinolytic agents in sudden cardiac arrest is safe and may improve outcomes in sudden cardiac arrest. Use of fibrinolytic agents for this indication is increasing in response to these data. ⋯ Empiric fibrinolysis with TNK in cardiac arrest is associated with increased ROSC and short term survival, and with survival to hospital discharge with good neurological function in patients who fail to respond to ACLS. Results may improve with earlier administration. Prospective controlled interventional trials are indicated to evaluate this promising new therapy.