World journal of emergency medicine
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Resuscitation of a critically-ill child requires an accurate weight for fluids and medication dosing; however, weighing children on a scale while critically ill is not always practical. The objective of this study is to determine the accuracy of three different weight estimation methods (Broselow, PAWPER XL and Mercy tape) of children presenting to Patan Hospital, Nepal. ⋯ The PAWPER XL tape was the only method found to be accurate in estimating the weight of Nepalese children.
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To determine if elderly frequent attenders are associated with increased 30-day mortality, assess resource utilization by the elderly frequent attenders and identify associated characteristics that contribute to mortality. ⋯ Elderly attenders have a higher 30-day mortality risk compared to the overall ED population, with mortality risk more marked for frequent attenders. This study illustrates the importance and need for interventions to address frequent ED visits by the elderly, especially in an aging society.
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Agitation occurs frequently among critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to evaluate the frequency, predisposing factors and outcomes of agitation in trauma ICU. ⋯ Agitation is a frequent problem in trauma ICU and is mainly related to the type of sedation and poor outcomes in terms of prolonged mechanical ventilation and development of nosocomial pneumonia. Therefore, understanding the main predictors of agitation facilitates early risk-stratification and development of better therapeutic strategies in trauma patients.
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The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of ocular ultrasound B scan in the emergency at the first point of care for detecting posterior segment and orbital pathologies in cases of paediatric ocular emergencies. ⋯ First point ultrasonography in paediatric ocular emergencies is a cheap, portable and an effective tool in the assertion of significant posterior segment and orbital diseases.
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The purpose of this study was to document the correlation between medical and wilderness training with levels of preparedness for acute mountain sickness (AMS), illness, and injury among backcountry hikers. ⋯ Medically trained hikers were more likely to be prepared to avoid or manage AMS, medical emergencies, and injuries than their non-medically trained counterparts. Wilderness training increased hikers' preparedness for AMS but did not significantly alter preparedness for illness/injury.