Invasive ventilation in the emergency department: Part 2: Implications for patient safety

The use of mechanical ventilation in the Emergency Department requires adequate resources in order to maintain patient safety and avoid potential risks. Moreover, developments in technology require increased knowledge of mechanical ventilation techniques to address the complexity of decision-making involved. Organisational issues and system factors have the potential to negatively impact on the ability of the emergency service to provide optimum care to patients receiving mechanical ventilation. These issues include staffing and skill-mix, demand on emergency services, role-delineation, scope of practice, and current mechanisms for monitoring of quality and safety. Furthermore, in response to advances in ventilator technology, current education programs for both nursing and medical staff require review to ensure that they provide comprehensive information about the types of ventilation techniques now available and the relative risks and benefits associated with their application.This article is the second in a two-part series and explores the educational and organisational factors that impact upon safety and quality of care delivered to patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the emergency department. Recommendations for future policy development, curriculum review and reporting mechanisms to support further research in the application of mechanical ventilation in the emergency department are made.     

Practical selection criteria for unenhanced cranial CT in patients with acute headache

We studied clinical predictors of cranial computed tomography (CT) abnormalities in patients with acute or acutely worsened headache. Data were collected from chart review of 333 consecutive patients presenting to an emergency department and who were clinically selected for cranial CT. Patients with a positive neurologic examination were at 10.7 times greater risk for a positive CT than the rest of the sample (p<1.5 – 10⁻¹⁰). Using only neurologic examination to select patients for CT would have missed 30.3% of the positive scans. The amnesia, depressed sensorium, and hypertension variables had CT yields approximating 10% or greater even in the presence of a negative neurologic examination. Together with a positive neurologic examination, these variables detected 87.9% of the patients in this sample with positive scans; their absence had a negative predictive value of 98.0%. Of the four patients with positive scans who would have been missed using this strategy, one was discharged directly from the emergency department anyway and the other three developed positive neurologic examinations within 24 hours. One died of causes unrelated to the intracranial pathology. Positive neurologic examination, hypertension, history of amnesia, or a depressed sensorium provide reasonable initial guidelines to select for CT patients with an acute headache.     

The lateral chest X-ray: Is it necessary for emergency department patients?

To determine the utility of the lateral view of the chest in emergency department patients, records of all patients who had had 2-view chest x-rays ordered in the emergency department were reviewed retrospectively. A study radiologist recorded a reading of the posteroanterior (PA) radiograph alone. The lateral radiograph was then provided, along with the PA view, and a second reading was recorded. A comparison was then made between the first and second readings.A total of 417 sets of x-rays were included. The PA view alone successfully diagnosed or suspected 92% of pulmonary nodules, 95% of effusions, 97% of cases of emphysema, 98% of pneumonias, and 100% of cases of cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema, interstitial pulmonary disease, and atelectasis.In the emergency department patient population, lateral views of the chest have minimal diagnostic yield and therefore may be used selectively to safely decrease the amount of breast radiation exposure to young women.     

阿尔及利亚地震灾后中国危重伤员远程空中转运

目的 总结紧急远程航空医疗运送的经验，分析影响空运的多种因素。方法 通过2003年5月阿尔及利亚地震灾后，中方5名危重伤员的航空转运的实践，就转运计划、医务人员和医疗设备的配置、空中监护、心理干预等对远程航空医疗运送的作用和影响进行分析和总结。结果 5名危重伤员均安全转运至目的地。结论 制订周密的转运计划和进行细致的安排是成功转运的重要条件；灾害伤员的心理干预对安全转运有着特殊意义。     

Improving emergency obstetric care in Mozambique: the story of Sofala.

OBJECTIVE: The 5-year project in the province of Sofala was designed to improve access, quality and utilization of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) by strengthening rural hospitals and health centers and ultimately the health system's capacity to respond to emergencies more quickly and effectively. METHODS: Implementation consisted of attention to infrastructure, human resource development, transportation and communication systems, and management. Specific management aspects that were targeted for improvement included: supportive supervision, logistics for supplies, equipment and drugs, record keeping, monitoring and evaluation, and quality improvement techniques such as maternal death audits. RESULTS: Access to EmOC improved with an increase in the number of fully functional EmOC facilities from 4 to 18. The number of women with obstetric complications who were admitted for treatment in participating facilities tripled, and the proportion of those women dying declined by half. CONCLUSIONS: Close collaboration and partnership with the provincial health directorate make the sustainability of many results likely while the replication of much of the Sofala model to other provinces is promising for the national strategy to reduce maternal mortality.     

妊娠中晚期合并输尿管结石的急诊腔内技术处理

目的探讨妊娠中晚期合并输尿管结石急诊腔内技术处理的安全性和有效性。方法1998年6月至2005年3月,对17例妊娠中晚期合并输尿管结石急症的患者行急诊腔内技术治疗。患者年龄21～35岁,平均27岁,孕周20～36周,平均29周。表现为肾绞痛反复发作11例,发热4例,急性梗阻性无尿2例。结石位于左侧5例、右侧10例、双侧2例；结石位于输尿管上段8例、中段5例、下段2例,双侧下段2例。结石大小6mm×7mm～13mm×21mm。患侧轻度肾积水6例,中度11例。行经尿道输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石14例；输尿管上段结石推至肾盂1例；因无法进镜而单纯留置双J管2例。结果17例患者的肾绞痛、发热等症状经治疗后完全消失。结石一次取净者14例(82.4%)。残留结石者3例,留置双J管至分娩后,其中1例每3个月更换双J管。未发生先兆流产或早产等情况,无输尿管穿孔及其他并发症。留置双J管后出现排尿后腰部不适1例,3d后缓解；术后肉眼血尿1例,6d后自行消失。17例均顺利生产,婴儿健康。结论经尿道输尿管镜腔内技术治疗妊娠中晚期合并输尿管结石急性发作安全、有效。     

手部爆炸伤的临床分型与治疗

目的探讨手部爆炸伤新的临床分型以指导治疗、提高疗效。方法1997～2004年收治106例手部爆炸伤,按爆炸伤的严重程度和伤情特点将其划分四型：Ⅰ型：仅有皮肤灼伤、挫裂伤或手部的小面积皮肤缺损,治疗选用清创缝合或植皮修复;Ⅱ型：手部皮肤软组织缺损合并肌腱或骨关节损伤,但无手指血运障碍,治疗选用骨与关节复位固定、肌腱修复的同时必须采用皮瓣覆盖;Ⅲ型：手部广泛皮肤软组织缺损,伴有肌腱、血管、神经及骨关节损伤,手指缺血、离断或缺失,治疗必须应用显微外科技术实施血管吻合、断指再植或拇手指再造和皮瓣移植;Ⅳ型：手广泛毁损,治疗选择截肢术。结果本组Ⅰ型12例,手功能恢复正常;Ⅱ型31例,手功能恢复较好,14例遗留皮瓣臃肿或肌腱粘连,需二期治疗。Ⅲ型57例,无1例截肢,45例进行了二期功能重建手术,手功能恢复达正常的30%～80%不等;Ⅳ型6例,手功能完全丧失。结论该分型方法简明具体,便于临床判断受伤类型和选择治疗方法,并可估计愈合,对临床处理手部爆炸伤具有较好的指导意义。     

Integrated home monitoring predicts lead failure in a pacemaker dependent 4-year-old girl.

A 4-year-old girl with post-surgical complete atrioventricular block received an epicardial dual chamber pacemaker system. During further growth intermittent exit block occurred, first misinterpreted as neurological seizures. The epicardial lead was replaced using a transvenous approach, and a pacemaker with an integrated home monitoring facility was implanted. After her discharge, a rise in the pacing threshold automatically initiated an event message. On the basis of this information, the patient was called in and imminent dislodgement of the ventricular lead was diagnosed by x-ray. The lead was repositioned and was found stable over 1-year follow-up.