#FOAMed

A November 2020 appraisal of the PLACID convalescent plasma trial in moderately unwell hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in India. It explores the lack of demonstrated clinical benefit, variation in usual care and antibody levels, and why larger trials were still needed.

How should trainee experience shape emergency medicine research priorities? Rob Hirst describes TERN's 2020 priority-setting project, explains the Delphi consensus process and considers why the questions trainees encounter may differ from those emphasised by other professional groups.

How well do guidelines identify meningococcal disease in children with fever and a non-blanching rash? Natalie May reviews the PiC study, examining sensitivity, overtreatment and what happened when clinicians departed from protocols, while keeping the study population and limitations in view.

A November 2020 introduction to the first CODA Zero online sessions. The post highlights global perspectives on sepsis and COVID-19, alongside a discussion of gender equality that moves from recognising problems to ideas for action within the healthcare community.

Trauma and coagulopathy are the focus of Iain and Simon's October 2020 round-up. The episode notes link to appraisals of prehospital TXA, plasma in traumatic brain injury, targeted transfusion testing and other clinical topics, alongside a conversation about coping with the second pandemic wave.

Drawing on Simon Mardel's outbreak experience, this November 2020 article examines infection control during the second COVID-19 wave. It considers crowding, fatigue, workplace hierarchy and the systems needed to help staff protect patients and colleagues, rather than relying on individual vigilance alone.