Scand J Trauma Resus
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2015
Quality of basic life support when using different commercially available public access defibrillators.
Basic life support (BLS) guidelines focus on chest compressions with a minimal no-flow fraction (NFF), early defibrillation, and a short perishock pause. By using an automated external defibrillator (AED) lay persons are guided through the process of attaching electrodes and initiating defibrillation. It is unclear, however, to what extent the voice instructions given by the AED might influence the quality of initial resuscitation. ⋯ Voice prompts given by commercially available AED merely meet the requirements of current evidence in basic life support. Furthermore, there is a significant difference between devices with regard to time until the first chest compression, perishock pause, no-flow fraction and other objective measures of the quality of BLS. However, the BLS quality may be improved with optimized handling of the AED. Thus, rescuers should be trained on the respective AED devices, and manufacturers should expend more effort in improving user guidance to shorten the NFF and perishock pause.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2015
Observational StudyPerformance of the efferent limb of a rapid response system: an observational study of medical emergency team calls.
To determine the distribution of outcomes following a medical emergency team (MET) call using a modified version of the multidisciplinary audit and evaluation of outcomes of rapid response (MAELOR) tool, and to evaluate its usefulness in monitoring the performance of the efferent limb of the rapid response system (RRS) at our institution. ⋯ ICU transfer was implemented rapidly in most cases once the decision was made, but a disturbingly large number of patients, who remained on the ward were still triggering at 24 h follow-up. We found the MAELOR-tool useful to evaluate RRS efferent limb performance.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2015
LetterDeveloping an emergency ultrasound app - a collaborative project between clinicians from different universities.
Focused emergency ultrasound is rapidly evolving as a clinical skill for bedside examination by physicians at all levels of education. Ultrasound is highly operator-dependent and relevant training is essential to ensure appropriate use. ⋯ We developed an emergency ultrasound app to enable onsite e-learning for trainees. In this paper, we share our experiences in the development of this app and present the final product.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2015
Observational StudyEmergency team calls for critically ill non-trauma patients in the emergency department: an observational study.
Handling critically ill patients is a complex task for Emergency Department (ED) personnel. Initial treatment is of major importance and requires adequately experienced ED doctors to initiate and decide for the right medical or surgical treatment. Our aim was, with regard to clinical presentation, management and mortality to describe adult non-trauma patients that upon ED arrival elicited emergency team calls. ⋯ The majority of emergency team call patients presented with circulatory, disability and breathing problems. Half of the patients were admitted to the ICU, although a high rate of patients was deemed ineligible for ICU admission. 30-day mortality was considerable and circulatory related illnesses were associated with increased short-term mortality.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2015
LetterImplementation of the ABL-90 blood gas analyzer in a ground-based mobile emergency care unit.
Point-of Care analysis is increasingly being applied in the prehospital scene. Arterial blood gas analysis is one of many new initiatives adding to the diagnostic tools of the prehospital physician. In this paper we present a study on the feasibility of the Radiometer ABL-90 in a ground-based Mobile Emergency Care Unit and report on some clinical situations in which the apparatus has proven beneficial.