Journal of accident & emergency medicine
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To examine the adequacy of assessment and management of deliberate self harm (DSH) undertaken by accident and emergency (A&E) medical staff. ⋯ With over half the sample not admitted, the responsibility for the initial risk assessment lies with A&E medical staff. The study reveals a need for improved planning and delivery of services.
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To determine how the introduction of a new small team consultation system could reduce the average waiting time of patients in the busy accident and emergency (A&E) department of a Hong Kong hospital. ⋯ A small team consultation system can reduce the average waiting time of patients without compromising the existing quality of service.
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Spontaneous pneumomediastinum, or Hamman's syndrome, is a rare condition which may present with the symptoms of chest pain, dyspnoea, dysphagia, or neck pain. The signs of subcutaneous emphysema and Hamman's crunch (the presence of a crepitance sound that varies with the heartbeat on auscultation of the precordium) are usually present. A case of this syndrome occurring in an elderly patient with none of the recognised risk factors is presented.
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To assess the value of a cardiac technicians' report on electrocardiographs (ECGs) in reducing serious errors of interpretation by senior house officers. ⋯ When cardiac technicians provide a report on an ECG at the time of its recording, serious errors of interpretation by senior house officers are reduced.
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Over the last three years the accident and emergency trainees in Merseyside have developed a self directed training programme which now consists of twice monthly meetings. This has been achieved through a process of evolution, shaped by the core curriculum, and supervised by the region's consultants with the support of the postgraduate dean. The meetings have proved both popular and valuable. The development and format of the scheme is presented in the hope of stimulating others to work together to improve the training of specialist registrars.