A 2017 Northern Emergency Medicine conference companion introduces eleven papers on resuscitation, trauma, paediatric asthma and clinician wellbeing. Short appraisals and links to fuller discussions encourage readers to look beyond headline results before deciding what the findings mean for their patients.
10+1 papers for the Northern Emergency Medicine conference. St.Emlyn’s Read More
An introduction to the St Emlyn’s Critical Appraisal Nuggets podcast series, launched in 2016 to help clinicians interpret research and prepare for exams. The first episode brings Simon Carley and Rick Body together to discuss randomisation, with links to further learning resources.
Critical Appraisal Nuggets – The St.Emlyn’s CAN Podcast Read More
Could a helmet interface reduce intubation compared with a face mask for non-invasive ventilation? This 2016 appraisal examines striking results from a small, early-stopped ARDS trial, alongside baseline differences, potential bias and the difficulty of applying ICU findings to emergency department patients.
JC: Helmets or masks for NIV. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Does hypertonic saline offer better outcomes than mannitol after traumatic brain injury? This 2016 appraisal explores the limited comparative evidence, distinguishes changes in intracranial pressure from outcomes that matter to patients and considers the uncertainty surrounding temporary treatment before definitive care.
JC: Salt or Sugar? Hypertonic saline for head injury at St.Emlyn’s. Read More
Can medical-grade skin adhesive reduce peripheral cannula failure? This 2016 appraisal examines a randomised trial of cyanoacrylate alongside standard dressings, considering the reported benefit, lack of blinding, follow-up methods, costs and the patient experience of removing the cannula.
JC: Should we glue cannulas to patients? St.Emlyn’s Read More
Could inhaling vapour from an isopropyl-alcohol wipe reduce nausea in the emergency department? This 2016 appraisal examines a small randomised trial, weighing its short-term symptom findings against concerns about blinding, patient selection and the lack of a direct comparison with other antiemetics.
JC: Can alcohol relieve nausea. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Could a single high-sensitivity troponin I result help rule out acute coronary syndrome at presentation? This 2015 appraisal examines a diagnostic cohort study, distinguishing negative predictive value from sensitivity and asking how the findings fit with ECG interpretation, clinical risk and different patient populations.
JC: High sensitivity Troponin I on presentation. Is it enough to rule out ACS? St.Emlyn’s Read More
What are the thromboembolic risks when prothrombin complex concentrate is used to reverse warfarin-associated intracranial bleeding? This 2015 appraisal examines a retrospective study, the importance of previous venous thromboembolism and the limitations of drawing conclusions from a different reversal regimen and clinical setting.
Nil nocere: do no harm reversing warfarin! Read More
