Could a small chest drain with a Heimlich valve allow selected patients with pneumothorax to receive outpatient care? This 2013 journal club examines a systematic review, weighing encouraging reports against variable study quality, limited randomised evidence and unanswered questions about patient selection.
JC: Should we use Heimlich Valves for ambulatory pneumothorax management? St. Emlyn’s Read More
A 2013 invitation to scrutinise proposals for faster access to stroke thrombolysis. The post links competing discussions about the evidence and asks how assumptions about benefit should inform investment in prehospital pathways and hospital processes.
JC: Time is brain…., calling #FOAMagitators. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Simon Carley’s SMACC 2013 talk challenges the fear that can delay intervention when general emergency physicians treat critically ill children. The written introduction explains its provocative title, its focus on resuscitation skills and the fictional cases used to stimulate debate.
Children are just little adults. SMACC2013. St.Emlyn’s Read More
How much confidence should we place in age-based estimates of a child’s weight? This 2013 report compares APLS formulae with measured weights in a local study, explores variation hidden by average accuracy and argues for measuring weight whenever circumstances allow.
APLS weight estimation – don’t do it (well almost never). St.Emlyn’s Read More
A 2013 journal club explores an Australian observational study of childhood CT exposure and subsequent cancer diagnoses. It puts relative risk headlines into perspective and considers how clinicians balance the immediate benefits of diagnosis against possible harms that may emerge much later.
JC: Do paediatric CT scans cause cancer? St.Emlyn’s Read More
Could unconscious preferences influence how we assess and treat patients? This reflection explores rapid judgements, evidence of unequal pain treatment and the idea of implicit association, inviting emergency clinicians to examine assumptions that may differ from their conscious commitment to fair care.
Does a missed diagnosis inevitably lead to serious harm? Part six of the Risky Business series explores the steps between diagnostic uncertainty and a poor outcome, including deterioration, return visits and opportunities to reconsider the diagnosis and intervene.
Emergency Medicine: A risky business part 6. How many steps to disaster? Read More
An archived 2013 announcement about an Academy of Medical Educators membership route for graduates of the ALSG Generic Instructor Course. The post considers recognition of teaching work, professional development and the distinction between this arrangement and other instructor-course routes.
Good news – AoME + GIC = Membership. St.Emlyn’s Read More
