Can statistical checks uncover unreliable clinical research? This 2017 discussion examines John Carlisle’s analysis of baseline data in randomised trials, considering errors, possible fabrication and the responsibilities of journals, while cautioning that an unusual result is not proof of fraud.
Fake news, lies, fraud, errors and statistics. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Whose assessment counts when a child is in pain? This 2017 appraisal of paediatric pain scales examines agreement between children, nurses and doctors, questioning whether disagreement justifies dismissing children’s reports and what a single pain measurement can really tell us.
JC: Pain Scales in the Paediatric ED Read More
Do teaching hospitals deliver better outcomes? This 2017 appraisal examines a large US study linking teaching status with lower mortality, while exploring confounding, limits to generalisability and why the association does not show that teaching itself caused the difference.
JC: Those who can, do; those who teach, do better. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Could a simple cold-water stimulation technique shorten the wait for an infant’s urine sample? This 2017 appraisal of Quick-Wee examines the randomised trial, collection success, uncertain contamination findings and the practical challenge of providing uninterrupted attention in a busy ED.
JC: The Quick-Wee Method for Faster Clean Catch Urine Collection Read More
Could vitamin C, thiamine and steroids transform sepsis care? This 2017 appraisal interrogates a striking before-and-after study, exploring confounding, retrospective data and the risks of adopting an unproven treatment before reliable evidence of benefit and harm is available.
JC: Vitamin SCepTiC? Read More
A selection of trauma papers from 2016–17 explores whole-body CT, traumatic brain injury, coagulopathy, cardiac arrest and airway care. This Trauma Care conference companion weighs findings against study limitations and asks which results might meaningfully change emergency practice.
Top 10+1 trauma papers 2016-17. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Does intubation during in-hospital cardiac arrest improve survival? This 2017 appraisal examines a large US registry study that found an association with poorer outcomes, then considers confounding, missing procedural information and why observational data cannot settle the airway decision.
JC: Intubate or not intubate? That is the question… Read More
Does diazepam add anything to naproxen for acute low back pain? This 2017 trial appraisal examines the lack of additional benefit in a selected group without radicular symptoms, alongside questions about blinding, follow-up and how well the results fit everyday ED patients.
JC: Turn it Down to 11 – Benzos for Back Pain Read More
