Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can potentially be used in the triage of patients with elbow injuries. However, the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS performed by non-radiologists for the exclusion of elbow fractures is yet unknown. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic potential of POCUS of the posterior fatpad performed by non-radiologists in the workup of adult patients presenting with elbow injuries. ⋯ POCUS of the posterior fatpad is a promising adjunct to physical examination to determine the need for further diagnostic studies in the triage of patients with elbow injuries. Sensitivity after a limited training is high, but not perfect, and can likely further be improved with additional training.
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Extreme weather events due to human activities have significantly increased the frequency and severity of hydrological disasters like floods, impacting human health and healthcare systems worldwide. This study analyses the patterns of emergency service utilisation of the May 2023 flood in Romagna, Italy, and specifically investigates the differences in emergency department (ED) visits and mortality between individuals exposed and not exposed to the flood. ⋯ The May 2023 flood in Romagna revealed enhanced vulnerability of the directly affected population, as shown by higher acuity ED presentations and subsequent hospitalisations, as well as more visits for trauma and mental health.
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A short systematic review was undertaken to assess whether intradermal sterile water injections (ISWI) provide effective pain relief in adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with renal colic. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases were searched, identifying seven relevant studies. ⋯ The short follow-up periods, exclusion of more comorbid patients and variability in study design limit the generalisability of the findings. Further research is needed to establish the long-term effectiveness of ISWI in the management of renal colic in the ED.