How do experienced trauma team leaders know whether they are performing well? This reflection makes the case for peer observation and feedback, describes a practical process using a TEAM assessment sheet, and explores how colleagues can help each other develop beyond formal training.
Are you a good Trauma Team Leader? St.Emlyn’s Read More
A 2014 discussion of NICE guidance on intravenous fluids in adults, viewed from the emergency department. It explores assessment, prescribing, reassessment and staff training, while questioning how broad hospital guidance translates to the more individual decisions required during resuscitation.
A collection of BestBets critical appraisal checklists for clinicians preparing for journal club or examinations. The post links to tools for different study designs, including randomised trials, diagnostic studies, reviews, decision rules and qualitative research, and encourages sharing completed appraisals.
JC: BestBets checklists for critical appraisal. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Should families be offered the chance to be present during brain-death evaluation? This 2013 journal club examines a small randomised study of understanding and psychological wellbeing, while considering participation, loss to follow-up and questions about families’ and clinicians’ experiences that the trial could not resolve.
JC: Family presence for Brain Death Evaluation. St.Emlyn’s Read More
A December 2013 update on efforts to address emergency medicine recruitment in the UK. The post points readers to a Health Education England document, an EMJ commentary and a podcast with Cliff Mann, then president of the College of Emergency Medicine.
Cliff Mann on UK Emergency Medicine recruitment. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Does the precordial thump deliver the dramatic benefit its image suggests? This 2013 journal club examines Australian cardiac-arrest registry data, considering rhythm deterioration, the small number of treated patients and the limitations of using observational records to judge an intervention.
JC: There’s no jump with a precordial thump. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Do intravenous fluids shorten an emergency department stay for uncomplicated alcohol intoxication? This 2013 journal club reviews a randomised trial, examining its selected patient population, length-of-stay findings and uncertainty, and asks whether an impulse to intervene is supported by evidence.
JC: IV Fluids for alcohol intoxication. St.Emlyn’s Read More
How does a patient’s story become distorted as it passes through the emergency department? Using an illustrative handover, this post explores clearer summaries, structured communication, attentive listening and checking shared understanding, with practical ways for both the speaker and receiver to reduce misunderstandings.
Miscommunication and Handover in the ED. St Emlyn’s Read More
