Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS): necessary for emergency physicians?

A survey was conducted to determine differences in perspective towards Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) between emergency medicine (EM) physicians and other specialties (OS), assess its value in the management of acute trauma, and identify areas in the course which could be revised or updated. The survey was devised and completed by physicians after ATLS. Of 26 course participants, there were 11 EM physicians (42%), four family practitioners (15%), four surgeons (15%), four internists (15%), two paediatricians (8%), and one anaesthesiologist (4%).

Patterns of tooth wear associated with methamphetamine use.

Background: Methamphetamine (MAP) abuse is a significant worldwide problem. This prospective study was conducted to determine if MAP users had distinct patterns of tooth wear.

Methods: Methamphetamine users were identified and interviewed about their duration and preferred route of MAP use.

Methamphetamine abuse and emergency department utilization.

Methamphetamine (MAP) abuse continues to increase worldwide, based on morbidity, mortality, drug treatment, and epidemiologic studies and surveys. MAP abuse has become a significant health care, environmental, and law enforcement problem. Acute intoxication often results in agitation, violence, and death.

Comparison of 2 cricothyrotomy techniques: standard method versus rapid 4-step technique.

Study Objective: To compare the success rate, complication rate and time required for the rapid 4-step technique versus the standard technique for cricothyrotomy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized crossover study. Twenty-seven emergency medicine interns, 1 junior medicine resident, and 4 senior medical students, without prior cricothyrotomy experience, were randomly divided into 2 groups.