Respiratory

A December 2020 appraisal of PRIEST's evaluation of risk scores in emergency department patients with suspected COVID-19. It examines the balance between sensitivity and specificity, differences between predicting death and organ support, and why the population in which a score is tested matters.

Before the fuller tocilizumab trial reports, Dan Horner examined the conflicting evidence available in December 2020. This appraisal considers biological plausibility, early REMAP-CAP announcements, adverse effects and the difficulty of discussing an experimental treatment when media coverage runs ahead of the data.

Simon Carley and Rick Body discuss the strengths and limitations of COVID-19 testing in December 2020. The episode and accompanying links explore PCR, LAMP, rapid testing and lateral flow tests, alongside the FALCON/CONDOR programme evaluating new diagnostics.

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.

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.

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.