Quantification of injury burden using multiple data sources: a longitudinal study.

Quantification of injury burden is vital for injury prevention, as it provides a guide for setting policies and priorities. This study generated a set of Hong Kong specific disability weights (DWs) derived from patient experiences and hospital records. Patients were recruited from the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of three major trauma centers in Hong Kong between September 2014 and December 2015 and subsequently interviewed with a focus on health-related quality of life at most three times over a 12-month period.

Predictive model integrating dynamic parameters for massive blood transfusion in major trauma patients: The Dynamic MBT score.

Background: Currently existing predictive models for massive blood transfusion in major trauma patients had limitations for sequential evaluation of patients and lack of dynamic parameters.

Objective: To establish a predictive model for predicting the need of massive blood transfusion major trauma patients, integrating dynamic parameters.

Design: Multi-center retrospective cohort study.

Intravenous fluid selection rationales in acute clinical management.

Background: Intravenous fluid (IVF) is commonly used in acute clinical management. This study aimed to review the choice and primary considerations in IVF prescriptions and to evaluate the adequacy of guidelines and trainings on it in the New Territories West Cluster (NTWC) of Hong Kong.

Methods: This is a descriptive study based on data collected from an online survey.

Characterization of available automated external defibrillators in the market based on the product manuals in 2014.

Background: To popularize the wide-spread use of automated external defibrillator (AED) to save life in sudden cardiac arrest, we compared the strength and weakness of different types of AEDs to enable a sound selection based on regional requirement.

Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study. Different types of AEDs were compared according to the information of AEDs from manuals and brochures provided by the manufacturers.

Role of copeptin in dual-cardiac marker strategy for patients with chest pain presented to ED.

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the role of copeptin in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its role in dual-cardiac marker diagnostic strategy with troponin.

Design: A prospective cohort study was carried out from May 2012 to October 2012.

Setting: The study was conducted at the emergency department (ED) of a public hospital in a cluster of Hong Kong.

A comparison of functional outcome in patients sustaining major trauma: a multicentre, prospective, international study.

Objectives: To compare 6 month and 12 month health status and functional outcomes between regional major trauma registries in Hong Kong and Victoria, Australia.

Summary Background Data: Multicentres from trauma registries in Hong Kong and the Victorian State Trauma Registry (VSTR).

Methods: Multicentre, prospective cohort study.

A cross-sectional survey of snake oral bacterial flora from Hong Kong, SAR, China.

Objective: To determine the pattern of oral bacterial flora and their sensitivity to antibiotics in freshly captured native snakes in Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.

Methods: Healthy native snakes were captured and kept in a designated centre. Snake species were identified by experienced herpetologists.

A survey of snakebite management knowledge amongst select physicians in Hong Kong and the implications for snakebite training.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding snakebite management in doctors likely to treat such bites in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong in the People's Republic of China. Key concerns were doctor confidence, consistency of approach, use of anti-snake venom (ASV), and ancillary treatments. Hong Kong hospitals are equipped according to developed country standards, and knowledge therefore becomes the key factor in successful management.

Focused abdominal sonography for trauma in the emergency department for blunt abdominal trauma.

Background: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a diagnostic challenge to the emergency physician (EP). The introduction of bedside ultrasound provides another diagnostic tool for the EP to detect intra-abdominal injuries.

Aims: To evaluate the performance of EP in a local emergency department in Hong Kong to perform the 'focused abdominal sonography for trauma' (FAST) in BAT patients.

Two cases of methemoglobinemia following zopiclone ingestion.

Introduction: Most cases of methemoglobinemia result from exposure to certain medications and chemicals such as nitrates, nitrites, aniline, dapsone, phenazopyridine, benzocaine, and chlorates which oxidize the iron from the ferrous state. Intoxication with zopiclone is expected to produce drowsiness, confusion and coma but not methemoglobinemia. We report two cases of zopiclone overdose with methemoglobinemia.

Evaluation of the performance of a modified Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scoring system for critically ill patients in emergency departments in Hong Kong.

Introduction: Numerous prognostic predictive models have been developed for critically ill patients, many of which are primarily designed for use in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a modified Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scoring system in predicting the mortality for critically ill patients managed in emergency department (ED) resuscitation rooms in Hong Kong.

Method: A multi-centre, prospective study was conducted for patients managed in the resuscitation rooms of the EDs of four major hospitals, including one university teaching hospital.

Acute retrobulbar haemorrhage: an ophthalmic emergency.

Acute retrobulbar haemorrhage is a rare complication of blunt eye trauma. It can be sight-threatening but is reversible when recognized and treated promptly. We presented a case of acute retrobulbar haemorrhage with profound reduction of vision.

Lead poisoning after ingestion of home-made Chinese medicines.

A young woman presented with non-specific generalized musculoskeletal pain. Investigations revealed anaemia, raised reticulocyte count, basophilic stippling and erythroid hyperplasia of the bone marrow. Further history showed that she had been taking home-made Chinese medicines for acne for two months and the blood lead level confirmed the diagnosis of lead poisoning.

A case of accidental ingestion of ant bait containing fipronil.

A 77-year-old woman accidentally ingested a commercial ant bait containing fipronil without development of obvious toxicity, supporting the safety of this new insecticide as demonstrated in animal studies. However, concentrated agricultural products may be more toxic, and the potential for seizures should not be overlooked. The pharmacological action, mechanism of selective insect toxicity, and clinical effects of fipronil are discussed.

A follow-up study of electromagnetic interference of cellular phones on electronic medical equipment in the emergency department.

Objective: Considering the growing use of cellular phones and the fast appearance of new phone models, the electromagnetic interference of currently popular cellular phones on electronic medical equipment was tested.

Methods: Three Personal Communication System cellular phones were put at different distances from multiple electronic medical devices, the interference effect was observed and the electromagnetic field strength measured with a spectrum analyser.

Results: Only two small pieces of equipment, the CO2 airway adapter and the haemoglucostix meter were affected and then only when the phone was in very close proximity.