BMC emergency medicine
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BMC emergency medicine · Mar 2017
Prevalence and predictors of intra-abdominal hypertension and compartment syndrome in surgical patients in critical care units at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) affects almost every organ sytem.If it is not detected early and corrected, mortality would be high. The prevalence of IAH and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) critical care units is not known. The aim of this sudy was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with development of IAH/ACS among critically ill surgical patients. ⋯ The prevalence of intraabdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome at KNH is high. Clinical parameters pertaining to fluids administration and ventilator mode are siginificant determinants.
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BMC emergency medicine · Mar 2017
The association of Emergency Department presentations in pregnancy with hospital admissions for postnatal depression (PND): a cohort study based on linked population data.
To investigate the impact of presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) during pregnancy on postnatal depression (PND) in women in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. ⋯ Women's hospital admissions for postnatal depression were associated with frequent ED presentations during pregnancy.
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BMC emergency medicine · Mar 2017
Clinical TrialEffectiveness of a community paramedic-led health assessment and education initiative in a seniors' residence building: the Community Health Assessment Program through Emergency Medical Services (CHAP-EMS).
Seniors living in subsidized housing have lower income, poorer health, and increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases and falls. Seniors also account for more than one third of calls to Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This study examines the effectiveness of the Community Health Assessment Program through EMS (CHAP-EMS) in reducing blood pressure, diabetes risk, and EMS calls. ⋯ CHAP-EMS was associated with a reduction in emergency calls and participant blood pressure and a tendency towards lowered diabetes risk after one year of implementation within a low income subsidized housing building with a history of high EMS calls.
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BMC emergency medicine · Mar 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialImproved recognition of ineffective chest compressions after a brief Crew Resource Management (CRM) training: a prospective, randomised simulation study.
Chest compressions are a core element of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Despite periodic training, real-life chest compressions have been reported to be overly shallow and/or fast, very likely affecting patient outcomes. We investigated the effect of a brief Crew Resource Management (CRM) training program on the correction rate of improperly executed chest compressions in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario. ⋯ A computer-based, 10-min CRM training improved the recognition of ineffective of chest compressions. Furthermore, communication quality increased. As guideline-adherent chest compressions have been linked to improved patient outcomes, our CRM training might represent a brief and affordable approach to increase chest compression quality and potentially improve patient outcomes.