Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Human patient simulation is effective for teaching paramedic students endotracheal intubation.
The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether the endotracheal intubation (ETI) success rate is different among paramedic students trained on a human patient simulator versus on human subjects in the operating room (OR). ⋯ When tested in the OR, paramedic students who were trained in ETI on a simulator are as effective as students who trained on human subjects. The results support using simulators to teach ETI.
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Comparative Study
Association between the "seat belt sign" and intra-abdominal injury in children with blunt torso trauma.
To determine the association between an abdominal "seat belt sign" (SBS) and intra-abdominal injury (IAI) in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) after blunt trauma. ⋯ Patients with an SBS after an MVC are more likely to have IAIs than patients without an SBS, predominately due to a higher rate of gastrointestinal injuries. Patients with an SBS but without abdominal pain or tenderness appear to be at low risk for IAI.
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Clinical Trial
Octylcyanoacrylate for the treatment of small, superficial, partial-thickness burns: a pilot study.
Octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) is a tissue adhesive used to close wounds and to treat minor abrasions. ⋯ The results of this pilot study suggest that OCA may be useful for some, but not all, small, superficial, partial-thickness burns. Further studies may help clarify the indications and contraindications to proper usage of OCA in small, superficial burns.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Beneficial effects of albuterol therapy driven by heliox versus by oxygen in severe asthma exacerbation.
To determine and define the beneficial effects of heliox-driven albuterol therapy on severe asthma exacerbation and clinical factors that affect greater response. ⋯ Heliox-driven albuterol may be a useful adjunct therapy for older asthmatic patients with severe asthma exacerbation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Laser-assisted anesthesia prior to intravenous cannulation in volunteers: a randomized, controlled trial.
Intravenous cannulation is common and painful. Absorption of topical anesthetics is limited by the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. A single pulse of an erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation can remove an area of the stratum corneum, leading to enhanced uptake of topical agents, such as lidocaine, while leaving the rest of the epidermis intact. ⋯ Pretreatment of the skin with a laser device followed by a 5-minute topical lidocaine application reduces the pain of IV cannulation in volunteers.