African Journal of Emergency Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Emergency health education in a conflict stricken environment: A situational analysis
Conclusions drawn suggest that the knowledge of emergency medicine by front line professionals is limited. Therefore, the development of field curricula, practical and theoretical training by visiting practitioners, provision of additional teaching aids, tools and equipment, integration of multiple disciplines in training and financial resource mobilisation would be beneficial in improving knowledge, attitudes and practices of emergency care. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Estimated injury-associated blood loss versus availability of emergency blood products at a district-level public hospital in Cape Town, South Africa
ConclusionThe volume of available emergency blood appears inadequate for injury care, and doesn’t consider the need for other causes of acute haemorrhage (e.g. gastric, gynaecological, etc.). Furthermore, lack of other blood components (i.e. plasma and platelets) presents a challenge in this low-resourced setting. Further research is required to determine the appropriate management of injury-associated haemorrhage from a resource and budget perspective. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

A qualitative study exploring nurses’ attitudes, confidence, and perceived barriers to implementing a traumatic brain injury nursing chart in Uganda
ConclusionNurses were receptive to the education session and nursing chart, and felt that it increased their confidence and improved their ability to care for traumatic brain injured patients. However, lack of supplies, overwhelming numbers of patients, and inadequate staffing interfered with consistent monitoring of patients. The nurses offered various suggestions for improving traumatic brain injury care that should be further investigated. More research is needed to assess the applicability of a standardised traumatic brain injury nursing education and chart in a broader context. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Freely Accessible Medical Education (FAME) for Africa
Publication date: June 2018Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine, Volume 8, Issue 2Author(s): Giles N. Cattermole, Appolinaire Manirafasha, Adam R. Aluisio, Gabin Mbanjumucyo (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

The accuracy of paediatric weight estimation during simulated emergencies: The effects of patient position, patient cooperation, and human errors
The objective of this study was to evaluate weight estimation accuracy of the Broselow tape, the PAWPER XL tape, the Mercy method, and a custom-designed mobile phone App in a variety of realistic simulated paediatric emergencies.MethodsThis was a prospective study in which 32 emergency medicine volunteers participated in eight simulations of common paediatric emergency conditions, using children models. The participants used each of the four methods to estimate the children’s weight. The accuracy of and time taken for the weight estimations were evaluated for each method. A regression analysis determined the effects of p...
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Paediatric weight estimation practices of advanced life support providers in Johannesburg, South Africa
DiscussionThe knowledge and understanding of weight estimation systems by many advanced life support paramedics was poor and the use of inappropriate weight estimation systems was common. Further education and intervention is needed in order to change the sub-optimal weight estimation practices of ALS paramedics in Johannesburg. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Estimating children’s weight in a Rwandan emergency centre
This study aimed to compare the accuracy of various weight estimation methods and to derive a dedicated age-based tool within a Rwandan setting.MethodsThis was a retrospective study using age, weight and height data from randomly selected charts of Rwandan children, aged between one and ten years, who attended the paediatric emergency centre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali, Rwanda. Weights were estimated using four versions of the Broselow Tape and several age-based formulae. Linear regression was used to derive a new age-based weight estimation formula, the Rwanda Rule. Weight estimations were then compared wi...
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

A cross-sectional survey of child abuse management knowledge among emergency medicine personnel in Cape Town, South Africa
DiscussionSignificant perceived and actual knowledge deficits of child abuse management exist among both emergency care practitioners and emergency medicine registrars in this setting. Future interventions should address the need for guidelines and increased training opportunities to ensure the health and safety of abused children. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Major incident simulation in Rwanda: A report of two exercises
ConclusionThe exercises demonstrated the need for a standardised, physiological method of triage based on clinical needs; this is in order to maximise the number of lives saved. Triage training should be an integral part of further major incident exercises, which should be conducted regularly. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Essential medicines for emergency care in Africa
ConclusionThe 25 novel medications not currently on the WHO EML should be considered by planners when making rational formularies for developing emergency care systems. It is our hope that these resource-stratified lists will allow for easier implementation, and will be a useful tool for practical expansion of emergency care delivery in Africa. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Prospective assessment of patients with stroke in Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
This study aimed to describe risk factors for stroke and clinical presentation of patients presenting to the emergency centre with stroke.MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional study conducted from August 2015 to January 2016 in an urban tertiary care centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between stroke types and stroke risk factors, and delayed presentation and clinical indicators. P-values less than .05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 104 patients were included. The mean age was 53 years, and 56%...
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 5, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Emergency centre diagnosis and treatment of purulent pericarditis: A case report from Tanzania
ConclusionPericardiocentesis, pericardial lavage, and the initiation of broad spectrum antibiotics are the mainstay of early treatment of purulent pericarditis. This treatment can be done safely in an emergency centre with little specialised equipment aside from point-of-care ultrasound. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 5, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

An unusual cause of recurrent laryngospasm: A case report
We present an unusual case of recurrent laryngospasm following cervical spine trauma.Case reportA 41-year-old pedestrian was hit by a car sustaining several spine fractures including a comminuted fracture of C1. These were initially unrecognised, and his cervical spine was not immobilised. During this time the patient experienced three episodes of laryngospasm requiring intubation. On day 11 his fractures were identified, and a Philadelphia collar was placed. He made a full recovery without any neurological sequelae.DiscussionLaryngospasm is a recognised complication of anaesthesia and intubation. This case illustrates tha...
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 5, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Challenges relating to the inter-facility transport of high acuity paediatric cases
DiscussionThere are significant challenges experienced by members of the healthcare team with regard to inter-facility transport of high acuity paediatric and neonatal cases in Johannesburg, South Africa. Whilst we acknowledge the African context and resource constrained setting, health systems managers need to explore the feasibility of establishing dedicated and suitably resourced retrieval teams who specialise in the transfer of high acuity paediatric and neonatal patients in order to improve quality of care and overall patient outcomes in this population. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 5, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

A pilot study on the management and outcomes of self-poisoning in a rural Ugandan Emergency Centre
DiscussionIn resource-limited settings where antidotes and resuscitative capabilities are scarce, decontamination needs to be studied further. Repeat atropine use without indication may lead to depletion of an essential antidote. Future directions include a public health education programme and an algorithm to help guide clinical decisions. (Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine)
Source: African Journal of Emergency Medicine - July 5, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research