European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Clinical Trial
Acquiring basic life support skills in a self-learning station: video alone is not enough.
To develop a self-learning station combining a video with computer exercises to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to novices, and to assess the efficacy of these two components on CPR acquisition. ⋯ Although in a self-learning station video training can introduce CPR skills to novices, additional voice-feedback exercises were needed to achieve acceptable CPR quality.
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Observational Study
Morbidity and mortality conferences in emergency departments: the French National Survey.
In France, emergency departments (EDs) are not yet required to implement Morbidity and Mortality Conferences (M&MCs), but it is likely that they will soon be a requirement. We conducted a national survey through e-mail to evaluate current M&MC practices in EDs in France. Of the 232 questionnaires sent out, 149 responses were analyzed (64%). ⋯ All departments carrying out M&MCs finish with corrective action. The frequency with which M&MCs are conducted in EDs in France is low but is increasing. Currently, M&MCs are mainly conducted at UHs; this practice should develop in general hospitals as well.
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To prospectively determine the diagnostic accuracy of nuchal rigidity, Kernig's sign, and Brudzinski's sign in children with suspected bacterial meningitis. Children 3 months to 17 years old diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and matched controls without bacterial meningitis were enrolled. The diagnostic accuracy was calculated independently for each test and for a combinations of tests. ⋯ The sensitivity, specificity, LR+, and LR- were 64.5%, 53.5%, 1.4, and 0.7 for nuchal rigidity, 52.6%, 77.5%, 2.3, and 0.6 for Brudzinski's sign, and 51.4%, 95.0%, 10.3, and 0.5 for Kernig's sign. The three tests did not yield any better results in the subsets of children with moderate or severe meningeal inflammation, nor in relation to any of the causative pathogens. In children with suspected meningitis, the three classic signs did not have a high diagnostic value and better bedside diagnostic signs are required.
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In the UK, many emergency departments (EDs) were built with dedicated theatres reflecting surgical origins. This study assessed the number and type of procedures performed in such a facility over a 16-year period. A retrospective cohort study of ED theatre usage was carried out in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary from 1995 to 2010. ⋯ Use of ED theatre has reduced considerably. The reasons for this are complex, but may reflect a reduction in the surgical skill set of staff in the ED. Sound basic surgical skills are valuable to the emergency physician and further consideration should be given to how these are best acquired in the course of training.