General
Important news about payments by results – November 2010
The A&E tariff will continue to be based on HRGv3.2 in 2010-11. It is illustrated in Annex C Figure 3.
CEM Best practice guideline for management of adults presenting to EDs with potential cervical spine injuries
This guideline provides recommendations on best practice for the initial management of alert, co-operative adult patients whose mechanism of injury has the potential to result in blunt or penetrating injury to the cervical spine. It also provides guidance on which patients should have imaging of the cervical spine performed and the imaging modality of choice.
2009 CEM/CQC audits: pain in children, fractured neck of femur, severe and moderate asthma
This report summarises the results from the three 2009 CEM national. It also compares the results with previous audits and incorporates the Executive summary of December 2008, which summarised the entire 2003 to 2008 audit programme.
Q2 July -September 2010 A & E hospital activity statistics
A&E Attendances
A&E Total Time
A&E Admissions
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. Thirteen new or modified BETS were added last month. Highlights include:
Does it matter whether a chest drain is aimed upwards or downwards for the optimum drainage of fluid or air from the pleural cavity ?
Should venous sample be used instead of capillary sample for estimation of blood glucose in patients with shock
Elbow extension as a 'rule-out' tool for significant injury in adults
Should I use 2.5mg or 5mg Nebulised Salbutamol in Acute Exacerbations of COPD?
Pelvic splints for all types of suspected pelvic fractures
Can ultrasound diagnose scaphoid fractures?
Positioning of compartment pressure monitors in lower limb fractures
Cochrane Library
Highlights this month include:
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) with or without an antiemetic for acute migraine headaches in adults
Anti-pseudomonal beta-lactams for the initial, empirical, treatment of febrile neutropenia: comparison of beta-lactams
Other reviews
Current evidence for effectiveness of interventions to treat rotator cuff tears
Anterior cruciate ligament repair with LARS (Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System): A systematic review
A meta-analysis of open versus arthroscopic Bankart repair using suture anchors
What is the best femoral fixation of hamstring autografts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?: A meta-analysis
Outcomes and risks of operative treatment of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in children and adolescents
Guidelines
The following guidelines have been published by Resuscitation Council (UK):
Immunisation against infectious disease - 'The Green Book' (DoH)
Strategies to prevent unintentional injuries among under-15s (NICE)
Prevention and management of venous thromboembolism (SIGN)
Highlights from the Literature
Emergency Medicine Journal 27(11) November 2010
Satisfaction with the emergency department environment decreases with length of stay
Emergency management of children with acute severe asthma requiring transfer to intensive care
Management of isolated minor head injury in the UK
Conferences, Study
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
Basic Trauma Course, 29 January, Solihull Hospital
Acute Care Conference, 31 January, Walkers Stadium, Leicester
NPIS Study Day, 17 February, The British Library, London
CEM CPD Event, 29 – 31 March, De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton
8th Annual Critical Care Symposium, 28 April, The Royal Oldham Hotel
New Medscape Emergency Medicine CME
Advances in Antithrombotic Therapy: International Perspectives on Defining Optimal Care
Advances in Chronic Airway Infection: Focus on Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Antiviral Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis for Influenza: Making the Right Choices
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.
