General
Pandemic Flu 2009: Lessons learned by UK Emergency Departments
The 2009 Human Swine Influenza (H1N1v) pandemic did test the preparation and resilience of UK Emergency Departments, and provides a number of valuable lessons for future similar events. This summary document is designed to ensure that the knowledge gained is not lost, and will prove valuable should a similar situation arise in the future.
Establishment of regional networks of trauma care
The National Audit Office 2010 report on major trauma found that the current absence of systems and standards in trauma care leads to poorer patient outcomes and, in some cases, death. National Clinical Director for Trauma Care Professor Keith Willett introduces the NHS Trauma Clinical Advisory Groups’ report, which contains advice on the planning and designing of networks for major trauma to their colleagues in the NHS.
Medical students require improved leadership training
The report from the Royal College of Physicians, the General Medical Council, the King’s Fund, the University of Liverpool, the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and Student BMJ highlights uncertainty amongst medical students about their future roles in management and leadership and the skills they will be expected to possess.
An Information Revolution: a consultation on proposals
An Information Revolution, part of the Government’s Equity and Excellence agenda is about transforming the way information is accessed, collected, analysed and used so that people are at the heart of health and adult social care services. The consultation will close on 14 January 2011.
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. Six new or modified BETS were added last month.
Should a child with ADHD and epilepsy be given Ritalin?
Should I use 2.5mg or 5mg Nebulised Salbutamol in Acute Exacerbations of COPD?
Does caffeine treatment for apnoea of prematurity improve neurodevelopmental outcome in later life?
Should venous sample be used instead of capillary sample for estimation of blood glucose in patients with shock
Can throat examination distinguish between bacterial and viral infective agents?
Does it matter whether a chest drain is aimed upwards or downwards for the optimum drainage of fluid or air from the pleural cavity ?
Cochrane Library
Highlights this month include:
Percutaneous vascular interventions for acute ischaemic stroke
Oral budesonide for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis
Magnesium sulphate versus phenytoin for eclampsia
Increased versus stable doses of inhaled corticosteroids for exacerbations of chronic asthma in adults and children
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treating acute surgical and traumatic wounds
Early versus late pre-intensive care unit admission broad spectrum antibiotics for severe sepsis in adults
Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis
Single-dose versus multiple-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for the surgical treatment of closed fractures: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Guidelines
The following guidelines have been published by Resuscitation Council (UK):
The use of automated external defibrillators
Prevention of in-hospital cardiac arrest and decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Pre-hospital cardiac arrest
Peri-arrest arrythmias
Paediatric basic life support
Paediatric advanced life support
Newborn life support
In-hospital resuscitation
Adult basic life support
Adult advanced life support
Highlights from the Literature
Emergency Medicine Journal 27(10) October 2010
Use of a hand-held bladder ultrasound scanner in the assessment of dehydration and monitoring response to treatment in a paediatric emergency department
Simulation training improves ability to manage medical emergencies
Value of initial radiological investigations in patients admitted to hospital with appendicitis, acute gallbladder disease or acute pancreatitis
Conferences, Study
Adult Sexual Assault Examination and Aftercare course, 13 November, London
Injuries & Emergencies Specialist Group Research Sharing Day, 18 November, Sheffield
CEM Simulation Faculty course, 22 November, Bath
Specialty Medicine for Physicians: Update on Acute and Continuing Care, 22 November, Nottingham
Some Solutions and Emerging Challenges in Encephalitis, 29 November, London
The Black Country Echocardiography Course for Non-Cardiologists, 29-30 November, Dudley
Toxicology: An Update for the Emergency Physician, 30 November 2010, Newcastle
Bi-annual symposium - Paediatric EM covering ST3 competencies, 7 January, Birmingham
Observation Medicine & Ambulatory Care in the Emergency Department 10 January, London
Practical Management of Anaphylaxis, 19 January, Imperial NHS Trust
New Medscape Emergency Medicine CME
An Update on Bleeding in Acute Coronary Syndromes: What Is Beyond the Horizon?
CRT-D Monitoring and Risk for Hospitalization in Heart Failure
Study Reviews Faces Scales for Reporting Pain in Kids
Advances in the Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
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.
This bulletin is brought to you by Library and Knowledge Services. It aims to keep you up-to-date with accident and emergency 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.
