Emergency Medicine

How convincing were the early results for andexanet alfa in major bleeding associated with factor Xa inhibitors? This 2016 appraisal examines an interim report, distinguishing laboratory reversal from clinical haemostasis and questioning whether limited, unblinded data could establish effectiveness and safety.

An archived account of the 2016 campaign for a physician-paramedic helicopter service in Northern Ireland, inspired by Dr John Hinds. The post explains the staffing argument and includes a subsequent update reporting the health minister’s support for a physician-based model.

What can UK registry data tell us about traumatic cardiac arrest? This 2016 appraisal examines survival and injury patterns in TARN, while explaining why observational associations cannot establish which interventions work and why different causes may require different approaches.

Chest drain insertion involves more than getting a tube into the chest. This 2016 teaching post discusses patient selection, analgesia, ultrasound, drain size and secure fixation, combining published evidence with the author’s practical experience and acknowledging important uncertainties.

Why did emergency medicine examination and training outcomes vary by ethnicity, region and training pathway? This 2016 discussion of GMC data examines differential attainment, challenges easy explanations and asks educators to reflect on bias, supervision and their responsibilities to trainees.

Does open cardiac massage outperform closed chest compressions in traumatic cardiac arrest? This 2016 appraisal examines a small study using end-tidal carbon dioxide measurements, explaining why limited numbers and differences between patient groups leave the treatment question unresolved.