Agreement of point-of-care and laboratory lactate levels among trauma patients and association with transfusion.

Background And Objectives: In the setting of trauma and suspected critical bleeding, indications to commence blood transfusions remain unclear, with high rates of potentially avoidable transfusions. Prehospital blood lactate measurements could help predict the need for blood transfusions. The aim of this study was to compare measurements detected by a point-of-care (POC) lactate device with laboratory measured lactate levels.

Change from semi-rigid to soft collars for prehospital management of trauma patients: An observational study.

Objectives: Protection of the cervical spine is recommended following multisystem injury. In 2021, Ambulance Victoria changed clinical practice guidelines to apply soft collars instead of semi-rigid collars for suspected cervical spine injury. The aim of this study was to describe associated changes in imaging practices and diagnoses of pressure sores, hospital acquired pneumonia, and spinal cord injury.