Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Relatively little is currently known about the effectiveness of first-aid training for children and laypeople. We have undertaken a systematic review to synthesise the evidence and inform policy and practice in this area. ⋯ There is some evidence to support provision of first-aid training, particularly for children or young people, but many studies were judged to be at risk of bias. Conclusions cannot be drawn about which first-aid training courses or programmes are most effective or the age at which training can be most effectively provided. Few studies evaluated training in adult laypeople. High-quality studies are required assessing effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of standardised first-aid training to inform policy development and provision of first-aid training.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact from point-of-care devices on emergency department patient processing times compared with central laboratory testing of blood samples: a randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis.
To determine if time to disposition decisions for emergency department (ED) patients can be reduced when blood tests are processed using point-of-care (POC) devices and to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of POC compared with laboratory testing. ⋯ Small improvements in disposition decision time were achieved with POC testing for a moderate increase in cost. Greatest benefit may be achieved when POC is targeted to senior medical staff.
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Intraosseous (IO) access is becoming increasingly accepted in adult populations as an alternative to peripheral vascular access, however there is still insufficient evidence in large patient groups supporting its use. ⋯ Intraosseous access can be used for the infusion of a wide variety life saving medications, quickly, easily with low complication rates. This highlights its valuable role as an alternative method of obtaining vascular access, vital when resuscitating the critically injured trauma patient.
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Demonstrating educational interventions improve patient care can been difficult. This study aimed to perform an extensive assessment of a bespoke e-learning package on the NICE Feverish illness in Children Guideline to aid the development of an evaluation model. ⋯ It is important any educational intervention is thoroughly examined as positive findings in respect of satisfaction or knowledge gain may not equate to behaviour change. The continued poor assessment of educational interventions results in potentially continued poor practice or educational technique. A new framework for evaluation (the 7Is) will be presented as a solution.