Resuscitation

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.

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.

What did the 3MG trial add to the evidence for magnesium in acute severe asthma? This 2013 appraisal compares intravenous and nebulised treatment with placebo, focusing on admission and breathlessness while stressing that patients with life-threatening features were excluded.

How can an emergency department debrief support learning after a difficult event? This 2013 discussion considers purpose, timing, facilitation, hierarchy and staff participation, with an emphasis on recognising good practice, agreeing improvements and identifying colleagues who need further support.

Do changes in vital signs predict trauma outcomes better than a single set of observations? This 2013 journal club examines retrospective TARN data, considering shock index and changes in blood pressure, respiratory rate and heart rate, alongside study exclusions and the small number of deaths.