European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
-
User surveys show that there have been significant changes over the last decade in the recreational drugs that are available and being used. This study aims to determine whether there have been similar trends in the drug(s) used by individuals presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute recreational drug toxicity. ⋯ Data collection on the drug(s) used in individuals presenting to specialist clinical toxicology centres and/or sentinel EDs across Europe with acute recreational drug toxicity would help to determine the true pattern(s) of drug use and the acute harm associated with this use across Europe and trends over time.
-
To develop and validate a prediction model for the early identification of children with pneumonia in emergency care settings. ⋯ The risk of pneumonia can be assessed using three key clinical characteristics - overall assessment of the severity of illness, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation. Serum C-reactive protein contributes to the prediction of an intermediate risk of pneumonia in children. Children with a low risk of developing pneumonia with vital signs in the normal range can be discharged with effective safety netting, requiring neither antibiotics nor radiographs.
-
It is well known that adherence to hygiene routines leads to increased quality of care and safety for patients and personnel in hospitals. However, there have been few studies describing hygiene in ambulances, despite the fact that many patients receive advanced medical care and treatment from ambulance services before arriving at an emergency department. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the adherence of ambulance personnel to hygiene routines in the ambulances. ⋯ The ambulance personnel were found to have relatively good adherence to some hygiene routines, but not all. The adherence by ambulance personnel to all of the seven observed variables was correct in only 3% of the assignments.