Emergency Medicine

Iain Beardsell and Simon Carley discuss syncope in this emergency medicine induction podcast. The accompanying notes and transcript explore how to distinguish a faint from other causes of collapse, use the history and ECG to identify concerning features, and consider medication, follow-up and senior advice.

What counts as a normal respiratory or heart rate in a child? This 2015 appraisal examines emergency department centile data, compares published reference ranges and considers how rounded measurements and uneven age groups affect interpretation. It asks how confidently these observations can inform clinical assessment.

Persistent fast breathing in an otherwise well baby can be difficult to interpret. This 2015 review explores respiratory-rate measurement, clinical context and possible underlying causes, highlighting the importance of reassessment and follow-up when the initial examination or investigations do not explain the finding.

Taking a sexual history in the emergency department requires privacy, sensitive language and a willingness to question assumptions. Janos Baombe explores communication, confidentiality, relevant medical and social history, specialist support and follow-up, with particular attention to patients who may have experienced sexual assault.

Do vein-finding devices improve first-attempt cannulation in children? This 2015 appraisal compares ultrasound, near-infrared imaging and standard practice in a Canadian emergency department trial. It examines staff training, sample size and generalisability, asking whether better vein visualisation translates into better outcomes.