Issue 34: January 2010

General
CEM Audits: Summary of key findings from 2003-2008
The College of Emergency Medicine’s report summarises the results from three national audits (pain in children, fractured neck of femur and paracetamol overdose), which have been repeated in Emergency Departments (EDs) between 2003 and 2008.

Spotting the Sick Child training aid launches
Funded by the DoH, this aid demonstrates the optimal approach to assessing children of all ages. It can be used as part of personal development or as teaching material for others, is based upon the most up-to-date guidelines and allows you to test yourself across a range of assessment scenarios.

Annual Evidence Update on spinal diseases
Included in this Evidence Update are guidelines and systematic reviews published within the last year covering low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis, disc herniation and spinal fractures.


Evidence-Based Medicine
BestBETS – Best Evidence Topics provide rapid evidence-based answers to real-life clinical questions, using a systematic approach to reviewing the literature. Eight new or modified BETS were added last month.
ACE inhibitors in addition to standard treatments in acute heart failure
Are calcium channel blockers superior to digoxin for controlling the ventricular rate in patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation?
Which is the best clinical test for diagnosing a full thickness rotator cuff tear?
Is Cervical spine protection always necessary following penetrating neck injury
Chlordiazepoxide, the management of alcohol withdrawal and the kindling effect
Use of the litmus paper in the chemical eye injury
Potato peel dressings for burn wounds
Efficacy of vagal nerve stimulation in children with medically intractable epilepsy

Cochrane Library
Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects
Efficacy and safety of anticoagulant prophylaxis to prevent venous thromboembolism in acutely ill medical inpatients: a meta-analysis
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has significantly lower perioperative mortality in comparison to open repair: a systematic review
Nebulized furosemide for the management of dyspnea: does the evidence support its use?
Prevalence of incidental findings in computed tomographic screening of the chest: a systematic review
What type of monitoring has been shown to improve outcomes in acutely ill patients?

Managing complications of the diabetic foot (BMJ)

Guidelines
Patient safety alert: being open (NPSA)
Recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of patients with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee (EULAR/EFORT)
Rapid Response Report: reducing risks of tourniquets left on after finger and toe surgery (NPSA)
Guideline for the management of acute allergic reaction (CEM)
Guideline for the management of first seizure in the emergency department (CEM)
Guideline for the management of lone acute severe headache (CEM)
Guideline for the management of trycyclic antidepressant overdose (CEM)
Vertebral fracture assessment: the 2007 ISCD official positions (NGC)
Venous thromboembolism. Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in inpatients undergoing surgery


Emergency Medicine Online, January 2010, vol. 27, issue 1
Performance of influenza rapid antigen testing in influenza in emergency department patients
Emergency department attendance by children at risk of abuse
Oesophagography and oesophagoscopy are not necessary in patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum
Inappropriate use and interpretation of D-dimer testing in the emergency department: an unexpected adverse effect of meeting the “4-h target”

CPDConferences, Study Days and Courses
Adult Sexual Assault Examination and Aftercare course 6-7 Feb 2010, London
Hypertension, Stroke and Acute Care Medicine Symposium
Patient Safety in Acute Medicine 17 Feb 2010
Basic Trauma Course - Saturday 20th February 2010
Biannual Symposium on Paediatric Emergency Medicine Covering ST3 Competencies, 3 Mar 2010, Liverpool
Management of Respiratory Emergencies - An Update for Physicians RCP Joint conference with the British Thoracic Society 4 March 2010 London
Mayday and St Heliers’ University Hospitals: Emergency Ultrasound Courses (Level 1), 20 Mar 2010,
Hypertension, Stroke and Acute Care Medicine Symposium, 10 Mar 2010
ATLS Course - Mayday University Hospital, London, 26-28 Mar 2010
Hyperacute Ischaemic Stroke 23 April 2010, London
Emergency Physicians in Intensive Care 5 May 2010, London
Ultrasound in Acute Care 2010, 14 Jun 2010, Oldham

New Medscape Emergency Medicine CME
Use of Red Blood Cell Transfusion Reviewed in Trauma, Critical Care
New VA/DoD Guidelines for Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Short-Term and Long-Term Stroke Risk Increased After Transient Ischemic Attack
Expert Spotlight on the Latest Advances in the Treatment of Acute HAE
A Forgotten Etiology of Refractory Congestive Heart Failure

BMJ Learning
Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Management in the Emergency Department
Emergency Department assessment and management of lower back pain
Epistaxis: the no frills guide to management
Soft Tissue Knee Injuries



This bulletin is brought to you by Library and Knowledge Services. It aims to keep you up-to-date with clinical governance issues. At the beginning of each month, a librarian will update the bulletin with relevant information published in the preceding month. If there are areas you think we also need to cover, please let us know.