Wireless Connectivity for People with Hearing Loss: Between the Listener and the Talker: Connectivity Options

Hearing aids are often not sufficient for optimal communication between a listener and a talker. Therefore, numerous options for wireless connectivity between the listener and the talker designed to improve communication have become widely available. From the original wireless option of the induction loop system, most of the current solutions involve a digital signal with high quality and limited interference. Many are proprietary and only operate with a given manufacturer''s devices, while others are more universal as long as the digital receiver can be connected to the listener''s personal device. In addition, connectivity options to assist those with hearing loss are now readily available on the smartphone which can be used as a remote microphone. Therefore, it is paramount that the available wireless protocols be considered relative to the listener''s experience with wireless technology so that solutions may be offered that are efficient, economical, and effective.     

特殊职业人群对现场救护能力认知的定性研究

目的探讨特殊职业人群对现场救护的认知状况与能力需求,为特殊职业人群现场救护能力的界定提供参考依据。方法采用定性研究无结构式访谈的方法,对金华市区交警、消防员、出租车司机等3种不同职业共70名工作人员进行专题小组访谈和个人深入访谈。访谈内容包括特殊职业人群对现场救护的心理、行为表现及对救护技能的认知状况。结果3种特殊职业人群在救护现场表现出的心理、行为有差异,对现场救护能力的需求有差异。结论由于各从业人员的职业特点及现场救护知识的储备不同,造成他们现场救护的心理、行为反应不同,对救护能力的需求不同。     

The utility of traditional prehospital interventions in maintaining thermostasis

Objective. Hypothermia can have a negative effect on the metabolic and hemostatic functions of patients with traumatic injuries. Multiple methods of rewarming are currently used in the prehospital arena, but little objective evidence for their effectiveness in this setting exists. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative effectiveness of traditional prehospital measures in maintaining thermostasis in trauma patients. Methods. Participating helicopter and ground ambulance ALS units were prospectively randomized to provide either routine care only (passive or no warming) or routine care (passive warming) in conjunction with active warming (either reflective blankets, hot pack rewarming, or warmed IV fluids). A total of 174 trauma code patients, aged >14 years, who met inclusion criteria were prospectively enrolled by prehospital providers. Patients who received a non-assigned intervention or who had incomplete temperature data were dropped from the analysis. A total of 134 patients were included in the final analysis. Results. Patients who received hot pack rewarming showed a mean increase in body temperature during transport (+1.36°F/0.74°C), while all other groups (no intervention, passive rewarming, reflective blankets, warmed IV fluids, warmed IV fluid plus reflective blanket) showed a mean decrease in temperature during transport [-0.34 to -0.61°F (-0.2 to -0.4°C); p < 0.01]. In addition, the hot pack group was consistent, with every patient who received hot pack warming showing an increase in body temperature during transport, while in all other groups there were patients who had both increases and decreases in temperature. The intervention groups did not differ significantly on exposure to precipitation, transport unit temperature, total prehospital time, initial vital signs, amount of fluid administered, Injury Severity Score, or Glasgow Coma Score. Conclusions. Most traditional methods of maintaining trauma patient temperature during prehospital transport appear to be inadequate. Aggressive use of hot packs, a simple, inexpensive intervention to maintain thermostasis, deserves further study as a potential basic intervention for trauma patients.     

胸部创伤的急救护理体会

目的总结胸部外伤病人急救的护理经验。方法对102例胸部外伤病人实施有效的急救护理,使病情得以及时观察和控制且将并发症减少到最低程度,并使之尽快进入康复阶段。结果本组102例胸部外伤病人,经过积极有效的急救护理,痊愈101例,死亡1例。结论准确的判断,熟练的操作技术及完善的急救措施是胸部外伤病人顺利脱离危险期、稳定病情、成功康复的关键。     

Is Sub-occipital Padding Necessary to Maintain Optimal Alignment of the Unstable Spine in the Prehospital Setting? A Preliminary Report

Background

As prehospital emergency rescuers prepare cervical spine-injured adult patients for immobilization and transport to hospital, it is essential that patients be placed in a favorable position. Previously, it was recommended that patients with cervical spine injuries be immobilized in a slightly flexed position using pads placed beneath the head. However, it is unknown how neck flexion created with pad placement affects the unstable spine.

Objective

To determine the effects of three different head positions on the alignment of unstable vertebral segments.

Methods

Five cadavers with a complete segmental instability at the C5 and C6 level were included in the study. The head was either placed directly on the ground (or spine board) or on foam pads. Three conditions were tested: no pad; pads 2.84 cm thick; and pads 4.26 cm thick. Pads were positioned beneath the head to determine their effect on spinal alignment. Anterior-posterior translation, flexion-extension motion, and axial displacement across the unstable segment were compared between conditions.

Results

Although statistical tests failed to identify any significant differences between pad conditions, some meaningful results were noted. In general, the “no pad” condition aligned the spine in a position that best replicated the intact spine.

Conclusions

Because the goal of emergency rescuers is to conserve whatever physiologic or structural integrity of the spinal cord and spinal column that remains, the outcome of this study suggests that this goal may be best achieved using the “no pad” condition. However, it is recommended that more research be conducted to confirm these preliminary findings.     

Role of the physician in the prehospital setting

Despite the initial successes achieved in early emergency medical services (EMS) systems, many prehospital care services have developed without the intense involvement of physicians whose interest fueled the first experimental medical programs of prehospital care. Among a myriad of variables affecting EMS is the important element of intense, authoritative physician involvement in education, field supervision, and research. Recognizing this problem, many states now have legislated that EMS systems be closely supervised by medical directors. Political and financial constraints often have diluted medical influence and authority, and intense, direct field supervision is the exception rather than the rule. successful EMS systems can demonstrate their influence on morbidity and mortality through appropriate data collection and quality assurance programs. Such programs appear to have in common the element of direct involvement of competent physicians in initial training, field supervision, and policy decisions. Until recently, full-time compensated physician involvement in EMS has been regarded as unnecessary or impractical. Certainly in large urban centers such full-time involvement is mandatory. While in smaller municipalities full-time commitments may be unnecessary, partial compensation for time dedicated to EMS pursuits should be part of the EMS budget. It has been the experience of major urban EMS systems that field participation by physicians has lent irrefutable credibility to the authority of medical directors. Beyond the obvious benefits of quality assurance and supervision, the in-field EMS physician provides the impetus and leadership for EMS research conducted at the street level. Because EMS is the practice of medicine through physician surrogates in a prehospital setting, it sets the stage and tone for subsequent patient care and outcome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Factors influencing prehospital delay for patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective To investigate the influencing factors for prehospital delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods A total of 807 consecutive patients with AMI who presented to the emergency department of Beijing Anzhen Hospital were analyzed. The influence of several potential risk factors on the prehospital delay time (PDT) was evaluated by comparing patients admitted more than 2 hours after onset of chese pain with those admitted within 2 hours after onset. Results Among 807 patients, 402 came to the hospital within 2 hours while the others arrived at the hospital after 2 hours. The median PDT was 130 min. Among the potential variables, advanced age, history of diabetes mellitus, occurrence of symptom at night and use of emergency medical service significantly affected PDT by multivariate analysis. Conclusion Interventions aimed at reducing the prehospital delay in AMI should primarily focus on the awareness of the risk and help-seeking behavior of patients.     

Feasibility,acceptability, and effectiveness of a decision aid versus an informational website to promote clinical trial decision-making among cancer patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo assess intervention feasibility and acceptability, and compare the effectiveness of the CHOICES Decision Aid (DA) versus the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Clinical Trials (CCT) website to improve knowledge about CCTs and preparedness to make an informed decision.MethodsOncology patients (n = 101) with a scheduled clinic visit were enrolled and randomized. Decision-making variables were collected at two timepoints. Post-intervention scores were examined via paired t-tests and multivariate regression analyses. Predictors of the magnitudes of the change in scores were examined in multivariable regression analyses.ResultsThe interventions were feasible to implement and acceptable to participants. Both interventions increased objective and subjective knowledge, improved clarity of opinions, and reduced decisional conflict (p-values < 0.01). Improvements in the belief that one could find out about CCTs were observed in the CHOICES DA arm (p < 0.001). Multivariable analyses controlling for educational attainment showed no significant differences in the magnitude of change in outcome variables between intervention arms, but did find that improvements in some variables in the NCI arm – but not CHOICES DA arm – were associated with previous educational attainment.ConclusionsInterventions were feasible to implement and acceptable. Improvements in knowledge and decision-making outcomes were observed in both arms, supporting the view that interventions to improve CCT decision making are effective and feasible. Our results suggest that the CHOICES DA may be more effective than an informational website in improving decision-making outcomes regardless of participants’ educational attainment.Practice implicationsCCT resources should support informed decision-making among all cancer survivors, regardless of educational attainment.     

边疆地区创伤患者院前急救的护理研究

目的 对基层医院创伤患者院前急救的护理进行探讨。方法 选择我院2016年1月~12月862例有救护车出车记录创伤患者成立观察组,选择2015年1月~12月725例有救护车出车记录创伤患者成立对照组,对比两组院前急救护理患者预后情况。结果 对照组725例患者中,成功转入院内救治637例,其中收入本院治疗316例,请外院专家及转入上级医院治疗321例,转入院内救治率87.86%;观察组725例患者中,成功转入院内救治842例,其中收入本院治疗378例,请外院专家及转入上级医院治疗464例,转入院内救治率97.68%;观察组转入院内救治率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。观察组死亡20例,死亡率为2.32%,对照组死亡88例,死亡率为12.14%;观察组死亡率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 开展创伤患者院前急救护理过程中,应确保患者呼吸通畅和有效止血,并对生命体征进行严格检测,一旦发现异常立即采取处理措施。