Paramedics in Switzerland: A Mature Profession.

This paper describes how the profession of paramedics has evolved in Switzerland and takes the perspective of public health. Ambulance drivers play an important role in the health system, not only as a response to emergencies, but also by working in an interprofessional and interdisciplinary manner in response to other public health needs, such as home care, triage, telemedicine and interhospital transfers. This pre-hospital system is rapidly evolving and relies on the work of paramedics.

Pain management policies and reported practices in Swiss emergency departments: a national survey.

Background: Acute pain is the most common complaint of patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Effective pain management is a core ED mission, but numerous studies have pointed to insufficient pain treatment or oligoanalgesia. According to a 1997 national survey in Swiss EDs, a validated pain scale was used in only 14%, an analgesia protocol in <5%, and 1.

Identification of ureteral stones at reduced radiation exposure: a pilot study comparing conventional versus digital low-dosage linear slot scanning (Lodox) radiography.

Purpose: Digital low-dosage, linear slot scanning radiography (Lodox) is an imaging modality that can emit down to one-tenth the radiation of conventional X-ray systems. We prospectively evaluated Lodox as a diagnostic imaging modality in patients with ureterolithiasis.

Methods: Conventional kidney-ureter-bladder (KUB) X-ray and Lodox were performed in 41 patients presenting with acute flank pain due to unilateral ureteral stone confirmed by computed tomography.

Tuberculosis and Migration: A Challenge for Medical Staff and Public Health.

A high number of asylum seekers enter Switzerland every year. They often originate from countries with a high TB prevalence. Our patient from Somalia presented with 2 lipoma-like tumors with pain on palpation on his left chest wall but no symptoms including coughing, fever, night-sweats, or loss of weight.

Is a black eye a useful sign of facial fractures in patients with minor head injuries? A retrospective analysis in a level I trauma centre over 10 years.

Orbital blunt trauma is common, and the diagnosis of a fracture should be made by computed tomographic (CT) scan. However, this will expose patients to ionising radiation. Our objective was to identify clinical predictors of orbital fracture, in particular the presence of a black eye, to minimise unnecessary exposure to radiation.

State of Emergency Medicine in Switzerland: a national profile of emergency departments in 2006.

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) are an essential component of any developed health care system. There is, however, no national description of EDs in Switzerland. Our objective was to establish the number and location of EDs, patient visits and flow, medical staff and organization, and capabilities in 2006, as a benchmark before emergency medicine became a subspecialty in Switzerland.

Could full-body digital X-ray (LODOX-Statscan) screening in trauma challenge conventional radiography?

Background: ATLS Guidelines recommend single plain radiography of the chest and pelvis as part of the primary survey. Such isolated radiographs, usually obtained by bedside machines, can result in limited, low-quality studies that can adversely affect management. A new digital, low-radiation imaging device, the "Lodox Statscan" (LS), provides full-body anterior and lateral views based on enhanced linear slot-scanning technology in just over 5 minutes.

Carotid resection and reconstruction for locally advanced head and neck tumors.

Head and neck surgeons hesitate to resect the carotid artery because of the postoperative risk of neurologic sequelae. However, there is no curative therapeutic option for head and neck neoplasms involving the carotid artery, with the exception of complete tumor removal. To evaluate the benefits and risks of carotid revascularization techniques in locally advanced head and neck tumors we performed a retrospective analysis in an institutional, tertiary care medical center.