What should emergency care performance measures tell us about patients’ experience and safety? Craig Ferguson examines the standards proposed in England in 2021, the strengths and weaknesses of the four-hour target, and why changes to measurement need evidence as well as good intentions.
New Clinical Standards for Emergency Care Read More
Could arginine vasopressin reduce blood-product requirements after major traumatic haemorrhage? This appraisal reviews a small single-centre randomised trial, examining reduced transfusion use alongside the lack of a demonstrated mortality benefit and the limits of applying its findings to a broader trauma population.
JC: AVP in Haemorrhagic Shock. St Emlyn’s Read More
Can short-term targets distract us from the purpose of healthcare? Craig Ferguson uses finite and infinite game theory to explore the tension between measurable performance and lasting quality, including how targets can distort priorities, consume resources and produce unintended consequences in emergency medicine.
Only a game? Infinite game theory in Emergency Medicine Read More
Could consultants gain more control over their working hours while maintaining department cover? Craig Ferguson explains how annualised hours and self-rostering work together in a shared spreadsheet, describing the flexibility achieved, the safeguards needed and the practical problems encountered.
Can clinicians trust the calculations and recommendations in medical apps? This 2012 discussion examines quality assurance, professional responsibility and the emerging debate over software as a medical device, highlighting why app-store availability and peer recommendations alone may offer insufficient reassurance.
‘Appy days’ – Medical apps at St.Emlyn’s Read More
