European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of two intraosseous devices in adult patients in the emergency setting: a pilot study.
To compare two intraosseous (IO) insertion devices in terms of safety and ease of use in patients who need urgent vascular access in the emergency setting following failed attempts for intravenous lines. ⋯ Both EZ-IO and BIG are shown to be reliable and safe methods for insertion of intravascular access in emergency conditions.
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To determine the effect of blood sampling through an intravenous catheter compared with a needle in Emergency Department blood sampling. ⋯ Blood sampling via an intravenous catheter was significantly associated with an increase in the likelihood of sample haemolysis compared with sampling with a needle. Wherever practicable, blood samples should be obtained via a needle in preference to an intravenous catheter. Future research should include both an economic evaluation, and staff and patient satisfaction of separating blood sampling and intravenous catheter placement.
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Observational Study
Do physiological scoring and a novel point of care metabolic screen predict 48-h outcome in admissions from the emergency department resuscitation area?
We aimed to compare the performance of a widely used physiological score [Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS)] and a novel metabolic score (derived from a blood gas) in predicting outcome in emergency department patients. ⋯ This pilot data suggest that a blood gas-derived metabolic score on emergency department arrival may be superior to MEWS at predicting organ failure and death at 48 h.
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Evaluation of an O2 treatment algorithm on the basis of current recommendations to reduce the number of patients unnecessarily treated with O2 in the Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital compared with the traditional application, and analysis of the use of O2. ⋯ The introduction of an O2 treatment algorithm in the Emergency Department reduced the number of patients treated with O2, and the nature and frequency of undesired effects was similar before and after the intervention.