Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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To model optimum proportions of dual-crewed ambulances (DCAs) and rapid-response vehicles (RRVs) in Ambulance Trusts with a view to generating a policy brief for one Ambulance Trust and a modelling tool for other Trusts on the strategic procurement and allocation of emergency vehicle (EV) resources. ⋯ At current overall conveyance rates, there is no benefit in increasing the relative proportions of RRVs to DCAs unless additional benefits can be realised that bring the conveyance rates down.
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The role of vitamin D in the response to infection has been increasingly acknowledged. However, the influence of severe vitamin D deficiency on the outcome of patients admitted for severe sepsis is unknown. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between severe vitamin D deficiency and sepsis-related outcomes in patients presenting to the ED. ⋯ Severe vitamin D deficiency at ED admission is associated with higher mortality and longer hospital stay in patients with severe sepsis.