EFSUMB Clinical Practice Guidelines for Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Part One (Common Heart and Pulmonary Applications) LONG VERSION.

Aims:  To evaluate the evidence and produce a summary and recommendations for the most common heart and lung applications of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS).

Methods:  We reviewed 10 clinical domains/questions related to common heart and lung applications of PoCUS. Following review of the evidence, a summary and recommendation were produced, including assignment of levels of evidence (LoE) and grading of the recommendation, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE).

EFSUMB Clinical Practice Guidelines for Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Part One (Common Heart and Pulmonary Applications) SHORT VERSION.

Objective:  To evaluate the evidence and produce a summary and recommendations for the most common heart and lung point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS).

Methods:  We reviewed 10 clinical domains/questions related to common heart and lung applications of PoCUS. Following review of the evidence, a summary and recommendations were produced, including assigning levels of evidence (LoE) and grading of recommendation, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE).

Feasibility study for implementation of resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta in peri-arrest, exsanguinating trauma at an adult level 1 Australian trauma centre.

Objective: This prospective, observational, interventional study sought to determine if the introduction of resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) at an Australian adult major trauma centre would improve survival for major trauma patients.

Methods: Patients aged 18-60 years, transported directly from scene with exsanguinating, sub-diaphragmatic haemorrhage and hypovolaemic shock (systolic BP <70 mmHg or hypovolaemic cardiac arrest) were eligible for recruitment and followed up until hospital discharge (ACTRN12618000550202).

Results: During the 14-month study period (17 January 2015 to 12 March 2016) 3032 patients were admitted direct from scene with an overall mortality of 97 (3.

Accuracy of rapid disposition by emergency clinicians.

Objectives Rapid disposition protocols are increasingly being considered for implementation in emergency departments (EDs). Among patients presenting to an adult tertiary referral hospital, this study aimed to compare prediction accuracy of a rapid disposition decision at the conclusion of history and examination, compared with disposition following standard assessment. Methods Prospective observational data were collected for 1 month between October and November 2012.

Use of ultrasound for non-trauma patients in the emergency department.

Objective: In the past decade, there has been substantial knowledge translation in the use of ultrasound (US) by critical care physicians to aid diagnosis of the non-trauma patient. This study aimed to determine emergency doctors' level of training in ultrasonography, pattern of US use in regular practice and barriers to US use for the non-trauma patient presenting to an emergency department.

Method: A survey on the use of US in non-trauma patients was conducted, targeting all emergency physicians and emergency medicine trainees in a single adult tertiary referral centre.

Trauma resuscitation errors and computer-assisted decision support.

Hypothesis: This project tested the hypothesis that computer-aided decision support during the first 30 minutes of trauma resuscitation reduces management errors.

Design: Ours was a prospective, open, randomized, controlled interventional study that evaluated the effect of real-time, computer-prompted, evidence-based decision and action algorithms on error occurrence during initial resuscitation between January 24, 2006, and February 25, 2008.

Setting: A level I adult trauma center.

B-type natriuretic peptide testing and the accuracy of heart failure diagnosis in the emergency department.

Background: It is often difficult to diagnose heart failure (HF) accurately in patients presenting with dyspnea to the emergency department (ED). This study assessed whether B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing in these patients improved the accuracy of HF diagnosis.

Methods And Results: Patients presenting to the Alfred and the Northern Hospital EDs with a chief complaint of dyspnea were enrolled prospectively from August 2005 to April 2007.

B-type natriuretic peptide testing, clinical outcomes, and health services use in emergency department patients with dyspnea: a randomized trial.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is used to diagnose heart failure, but the effects of using the test on all dyspneic patients is uncertain.

Objective: To assess whether BNP testing alters clinical outcomes and health services use of acutely dyspneic patients.

Design: Randomized, single-blind study.

Accuracy of current clinical diagnosis in recreational drug-related attendance to the emergency department.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of current clinical diagnosis in recreational drug-related attendances to emergency by blood analysis.

Methods: A prospective convenience sample of 103 patients who attended hospital with suspected recreational drug-related presentations was collected. Doctors' clinical impression of drugs responsible for presentation was compared with a detailed forensic blood analysis for recreational drugs.

Trauma reception and resuscitation.

The hospital reception phase of major trauma management requires a great number of expedient decisions. However, despite widely taught programmes advocating a standardized, algorithmic approach to decision-making, there is an ongoing rate of human errors contributing to adverse outcomes. It is now time for a fundamental change in our approach to trauma resuscitation.

Prehospital intubation and chest decompression is associated with unexpected survival in major thoracic blunt trauma.

Objective: Application of the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) to a trauma population identifies patients with 'unexpected survival'. This study used TRISS analysis to identify 'unexpected survivors' suffering major thoracic trauma, who survived to hospital discharge. Further analysis determined prehospital interventions that appeared to contribute to 'unexpected survival'.

Complications of intercostal catheter insertion using EMST techniques for chest trauma.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine the complication rates associated with intercostal catheter insertion (ICI) performed using Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST) guidelines on trauma patients admitted through The Alfred Trauma Centre.

Methods: The Alfred Trauma Registry identified demographic and clinical data for patients who underwent ICI in the Alfred hospital following admission for trauma. The medical histories were subsequently reviewed for complications resulting from ICI.