An emergency medicine overview of GBL intoxication in the context of chemsex. Gareth Roberts discusses recognition, respiratory depression, co-ingestion and the challenges of airway management, alongside the need to consider consent, safeguarding and sexual health support as patients recover.
GBL Overdose and what to do about it Read More
Does combining vitamin C, hydrocortisone and thiamine improve outcomes in septic shock? This 2020 appraisal of ACTS examines its organ dysfunction endpoint, the lack of a demonstrated benefit and how patient selection and treatment in the control group affect interpretation.
A selection of COVID-19 papers reviewed for emergency clinicians in August 2020. The Leicester team examines aerosol transmission, CPAP, surgical and cardiac complications, thromboprophylaxis, staff mental health and frailty, distinguishing early signals and expert consensus from stronger evidence.
Covid-19 Journal Club: The Director’s Cut #6 Read More
A personal reflection of one Clinical Director of an Emergency Department, discussing the lure of leadership and some of its potential perils
Look at what they make you give Read More
An August 2020 appraisal of hydroxychloroquine after household or occupational exposure to COVID-19. It examines a placebo-controlled trial’s lack of a clear benefit, adverse effects and the uncertainty introduced by remote recruitment and outcomes based largely on self-reported symptoms.
JC: Does post exposure prophylaxis (with HCQ) work in Covid-19? Read More
An August 2020 introduction to CODA Zero, the online programme developed after the planned Melbourne conference was postponed. The post outlines its opening sessions on pandemic sepsis and gender, explaining how the CODA community could continue meeting during COVID-19.
CODA ZERO is here. St Emlyn’s Read More
Could the computers already in an emergency department become a teaching resource? This practical guide explains how to use desktop backgrounds for short learning points and safety messages, while reflecting on a study that encouraged informal discussion without demonstrating better test scores.
Some Background Learning – a simple way to add education to your ED Read More
A 2020 appraisal of intravenous haloperidol for acute benign headache. The review considers pain relief, adverse effects and patient selection, asking whether a placebo-controlled trial can tell us enough when the useful clinical comparison would be with usual headache treatment.
JC: Haloperidol for Headaches. St Emlyn’s Read More
