A fictional Robocop trauma case provides the framework for this tour of NICE’s 2016 major-trauma guidance. The post follows care from scene to hospital, discusses areas of controversy and highlights unanswered research questions, with links to the full guidance and an accompanying infographic.
Robocop gets the NICE 2016 major trauma treatment. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Why do unfinished jobs keep occupying our attention during a busy shift? This introduction to cognitive ‘bandwidth’ explores working memory, interruptions and the Zeigarnik effect, considering how unresolved tasks and growing expertise can influence the mental resources available for emergency care.
Cliffhangers in the ED. St.Emlyn’s Read More
An introductory 2015 overview of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents for emergency clinicians. The post considers recognising unusual presentations, triage, broad patterns of exposure and sources of specialist help, encouraging further preparation rather than presenting itself as a complete incident-management guide.
CBRN: An Introduction. St Emlyn’s Read More
What happens to circulation when we give intravenous fluid, and how can we tell whether it has helped? This 2015 physiology review connects Frank–Starling and Guyton models with fluid responsiveness, examining the limitations of routine observations and the role of cardiac output assessment.
Maestrini, Frank, Starling, Guyton…….and Fluids at St.Emlyn’s Read More
What does a raised lactate actually tell us? This 2015 physiology discussion revisits lactate production and clearance, then explores hypoxia, the stress response and interpretation in sepsis and trauma. It questions the leap from a marker of illness severity to a treatment endpoint.
Three UK trainees reflect on what SMACC Chicago 2015 taught them about uncertainty, reading primary research and mastering the basics. Their account connects debates about sepsis and trauma with clearer team communication, personal resilience and the work required to turn conference inspiration into learning.
#SMACCUS: A Trainee Perspective Read More
Are emergency departments giving people with mental health problems the attention and compassion they need? This 2015 reflection challenges dismissive attitudes, considers assessment and follow-up for adults and children, and argues that stretched services do not remove the responsibility to treat patients with dignity and respect.
Are We Doing All We Can For Mental Health? St.Emlyn’s Read More
What might emergency clinicians learn from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War? This reflective essay applies ideas about preparation, self-awareness, teamwork and adaptability to the pressures of emergency care, treating organisational challenges as the adversary and explicitly rejecting the idea that patients are enemies.
