Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Inadequate stocking of essential antidotes in hospitals for the treatment of poisoned patients has been reported worldwide. Joint National Poisons Information Service (NPIS)/College of Emergency Medicine (CEM) guidelines for antidote stocking in UK emergency departments and acute hospitals were published in 2008. ⋯ Stocking of less commonly used antidotes is inconsistent. This is likely to result in delayed access to treatment and worse patient outcomes.
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As a result of gaps in middle-grade cover in the emergency department it became necessary for consultants to work some night shifts. This study aimed to examine the effect of this change in practice on performance. ⋯ In this small single-site study, a consultant working nights has been shown to reduce process times and the rate of admission. It remains unclear whether such improvements would be sustained in the longer term.
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The aim of this study was to review patients conveyed by the Great Western Air Ambulance to its main receiving hospital. ⋯ This review provides an overview of the characteristics of patients transferred to a major receiving hospital by a prehospital critical care team.
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Twitter is one of the fastest growing social media networks for communication between users via short messages. Technology proficient physicians have demonstrated enthusiasm in adopting social media for their work. ⋯ Only a small proportion of registered emergency physicians use Twitter. Among them exists a smaller inner network of emergency physicians with strong social bonds that is using Twitter's full potentials for professional development.
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Gastric inflation is a significant issue when ventilation of the unprotected airway is performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a prototype pressure relief valve with an acoustic expiration control mechanism connected to two different masks. ⋯ Gastric inflation occurred less frequently and to a lesser extent when the valve was connected, going ahead with a trend towards lower tidal volumes. The protective effect of the safety valve may be of benefit even if it leads to smaller tidal volumes.