Project description:PurposeRacism and colonialism impact health, physician advancement, professional development and medical education in Canada. The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) has committed to addressing inequities in health in their recent statement on racism. The objective of this project was to develop recommendations for addressing racism and colonialism in emergency medicine.MethodsThe authors, in collaboration with a 40 member working group, conducted a literature search, held a community consultation, solicited input from expert medical, academic and community advisors, conducted a national survey of emergency physicians, and presented draft recommendations at the 2021 CAEP Academic Symposium on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for a live facilitated discussion with a post-session survey.ResultsSixteen recommendations were generated in the areas of patient care, hospital and departmental commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, physician advancement, and professional development and medical education.ConclusionEmergency physicians are uniquely positioned to promote equity at each encounter with patients, peers and learners. The 16 recommendations presented here are practical steps to countering racism and colonialism everyday in emergency medicine.
Project description:S(+)-ketamine, the pure dextrorotatory enantiomer of ketamine has been available for clinical use in analgesia and anesthesia for more than 25 years. The main effects are mediated by non-competitive inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor but S(+)-ketamine also interacts with opioid receptors, monoamine receptors, adenosine receptors and other purinergic receptors. Effects on ?-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) and L?type calcium chanels have also been described. S(+)-ketamine stimulates the sympathetic nerve system, making it an ideal drug for analgosedation or induction of anesthesia in instable patients. In addition, the neuroprotective properties, bronchodilatory, antihyperalgesic or antiepileptic effects provide interesting therapeutic options. In this article we discuss the numerous effects of S(+)-ketamine under pharmacological and clinical aspects especially for typical indications in emergency medicine as well as intensive care.
Project description:The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) have collaborated to produce these post-resuscitation care guidelines for adults, which are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. The topics covered include the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, diagnosis of cause of cardiac arrest, control of oxygenation and ventilation, coronary reperfusion, haemodynamic monitoring and management, control of seizures, temperature control, general intensive care management, prognostication, long-term outcome, rehabilitation and organ donation.
Project description:CLINICAL ISSUE:The COVID 19 pandemic led to a profound adaptation of the German healthcare system in preparation of a massive increase of SARS-CoV-2-associated diseases. While general practitioners care for COVID patients who are less severely ill, hospitals are focused on the care of severely ill COVID-19 patients. STANDARD TREATMENT:The role of emergency medicine (EM) is to rapidly detect the virus, to classify disease severity, and to initiate therapy. In addition, the flow of patients into the hospital must be directed in such a way that optimal care is provided without risk of infecting health care personnel and patients. Despite optimal intensive care treatment, the mortality of patients remains high if organ failure develops, especially in patients who are older or have pre-existing conditions. TREATMENT INNOVATIONS:Rapid diagnosis of patients with SARS-CoV?2 infection together with assessment of disease severity and awareness of organ failure are the mainstays of emergency care. Intensive care is needed for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-induced organ failure, whereby lung failure in these patients requires differentiated ventilation therapies. DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP:The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is performed to diagnose SARS-CoV?2 infection. Adjunctive diagnostic measures which enhance diagnostic specificity are lung ultrasound, x?ray, and computed tomography of the lungs. This also allows categorization of the type of COVID-19 pneumonia. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS:For early detection and appropriate treatment of SARS-CoV?2 infection, PCR is needed. Adjunctive sonographic and radiological examinations allow the treatment of COVID-19 patients to be tailored according to the specific type of pneumonia.
Project description:The 2020 International Web Scientific Event in COVID-19 pandemic in critically ill patients aimed at updating the information and knowledge on the COVID-19 pandemic in the intensive care unit. Experts reviewed the latest literature relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in critically ill patients, such as epidemiology, pathophysiology, phenotypes of infection, COVID-19 as a systematic infection, molecular diagnosis, mechanical ventilation, thromboprophylaxis, COVID-19 associated co-infections, immunotherapy, plasma treatment, catheter-related bloodstream infections, artificial intelligence for COVID-19, and vaccination. Antiviral therapy and co-infections are out of the scope of this review. In this review, each of these issues is discussed with key messages regarding management and further research being presented after a brief review of available evidence.
Project description:IntroductionEmergency care systems provide timely and relevant care to the acutely ill and injured. Published commentaries have characterised deficiencies in the Nigerian emergency care system and offered potential solutions but have not included the perspectives of the Nigerian public. A more inclusive approach that includes feedback from the public may help improve the Nigerian emergency care system through better understanding of the needs, values and expectations of the community.MethodsParticipants of an emergency medicine symposium participated in focus group discussions that were randomly divided into small groups led by two trained facilitators. These facilitators asked open-ended, semistructured questions to lead discussions in the English language. Participant responses were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim into transcripts. Two independent investigators employed conventional content analysis to code the transcripts until thematic saturation was achieved.ResultsThree descriptive themes emerged characterising the current state of Nigeria's emergency care system as it relates to prehospital care delivery, hospital care delivery and health system governance: rudimentary, vulnerable and disconnected. At the prehospital level, concepts revolved around emergency recognition and response, ambulance and frontline providers, and cultural norms. At the hospital level, concepts centred around the health workforce, clinical competency, hospital capacity and the burden of financial hardship. At the health system level, concepts concentrated on healthcare access and healthcare financing. Opportunities for emergency care system improvement at each component level were identified and explored.ConclusionsThe participants in this study identified shortcomings and opportunities to improve prehospital care, hospital care and health system governance. The results of this study may help healthcare professionals, policy makers and community leaders identify gaps in the emergency care system and offer solutions in harmony with the needs, values and expectations of the community. If successful, these community-informed interventions may serve as a model to improve emergency care systems throughout Africa.
Project description:The RASopathies are a group of genetic disorders that result from germline pathogenic variants affecting RAS-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway genes. RASopathies share RAS/MAPK pathway dysregulation and share phenotypic manifestations affecting numerous organ systems, causing lifelong and at times life-limiting medical complications. RASopathies may benefit from precision medicine approaches. For this reason, the Sixth International RASopathies Symposium focused on exploring precision medicine. This meeting brought together basic science researchers, clinicians, clinician scientists, patient advocates, and representatives from pharmaceutical companies and the National Institutes of Health. Novel RASopathy genes, variants, and animal models were discussed in the context of medication trials and drug development. Attempts to define and measure meaningful endpoints for treatment trials were discussed, as was drug availability to patients after trial completion.
Project description:Bedside lung ultrasound (LUS) in emergency rooms and intensive care units can serve as a tool to diagnose common lung pathologies, monitor their course and guide clinical management. LUS requires only a few minutes and is a useful extension of the physical examination. Fractures of the ribs as well as the sternum are seen well on ultrasound. Minute pleural fluids (effusion, hemtothorax) are detectable. LUS is able to detect the sound of lung water and thus to differentiate a cardiogenic pulmonary edema from chronic obstructive lung disease. Inflammatory lung diseases such as pleuritis and pneumonia are better seen than on chest X?ray. LUS should replace chest X?ray in the diagnosis of ambulant acquired pneumonia. In ventilator-associated pneumonia and atelectasis, LUS measures the presence of lung consolidation as well as dynamic changes und reventilation. A heart-lung-vessel integrated triple ultrasonography according to clinical findings can help with the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and should be a necessary weapon for the physicians, especially in emergency departments.