Diagnostic utility of the Covichem score in predicting COVID-19 disease.

Background: Identifying which patients with COVİD-19 have a high risk of severe illness is essential to optimizing management and resource utilization strategies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to externally validate the diagnostic utility of the Covichem score for predicting COVID-19 disease severity, and secondarily to evaluate its utility in predicting intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality.

Methods: All consecutive COVID-19 patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) were included, and patients' demographic data, comorbidities, vital signs, oxygen requirement, and laboratory results were recorded.

The Cardiopulmonary Effects of Medical Masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators on Healthy Health Care Workers in the Emergency Department: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: International COVID-19 guidelines recommend that health care workers (HCWs) wear filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators to reduce exposure risk. However, there are concerns about FFP respirators causing hypercapnia via rebreathing carbon dioxide (CO). Most previous studies measured the physiological effects of FFP respirators on treadmills or while resting, and such measurements may not reflect the physiological changes of HCWs working in the emergency department (ED).

Initial and Sustained Response Effects of 3 Vagal Maneuvers in Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Randomized, Clinical Trial.

Background: For acute termination of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), vagal maneuvers, including the standard Valsalva maneuver (sVM), modified Valsalva (mVM) maneuver, and carotid sinus massage (CSM), are first-line interventions. There is no criterion standard technique.

Objective: This prospective, randomized study was aimed at analyzing the success rates of these 3 vagal maneuvers as measured by sustaining sinus rhythm at the fifth minute and SVT termination.

Is potassium thiosulfate a poison? Is it safe? A case series.

Potassium Thiosulfate is a liquid substance used for producing fertilizers. In this case series, we present five patients who have been exposed to potassium thiosulfate inhalation. Three of them were intubated in the scene by paramedics because of confusion and respiratory depression.

Determination of the chest wall thicknesses and needle thoracostomy success rates at second and fifth intercostal spaces: a cadaver-based study.

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to measure the chest wall thicknesses (CWTs) at second intercostal space (ICS) mid-clavicular line (MCL) and fifth ICS MAL directly, and compare the actual success rates of needle thoracostomies (NTs) by inserting a 5-cm-long syringe needle. Predictive values of weight, body mass index (BMI) and CWT were also analyzed.

Materials And Methods: This study included 199 measurements of 50 adult fresh cadavers from both hemithoraces.

Use of ABCD2 risk scoring system to determine the short-term stroke risk in patients presenting to emergency department with transient ischaemic attack.

Objective: To determine the 3-day stroke risk of patients presenting to emergency department with transient ischaemic attack, and to evaluate the predictive value of ABCD(2) (Age, Blood pressure, Clinical features, Duration of symptoms and Diabetes) score for these patients.

Methods: The prospective study was conducted on patients with diagnosis of transient ischaemic attack who were divided into low (0-3 points), medium (4-5 points) and high (6-7 points) risk groups according to their ABCD(2) scores. The sensitivity of the scoring system on estimation of the risk of stroke in 3 days was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve.

Analysis of Repeated CT Scan Need in Blunt Head Trauma.

Background. Computed tomography (CT) is a vital tool in the workup of patients with closed head trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of serial CT scans in patients with blunt head trauma.

Details of motorcycle accidents and their impact on healthcare costs.

Background: Of overall traffic accidents in 2011 in Turkey, 7.58% (n=21,107) were motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents and their impact on healthcare costs are investigated in our study.

The effects of adrenomedullin in traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of death and disability throughout the world. A multifunctional peptide adrenomedullin (AM) has protective effects in the central nervous system. We evaluated AM in an animal model as a therapeutic agent that reduces brain damage after traumatic brain injury.

Evaluation of non-urgent visits to a busy urban emergency department.

Objective: To identify the proportion of patients who were taken into the emergency room on the basis of legal regulations and non-urgent medical procedures.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Emergency Department, Toros State Hospital, Mersin, Turkey. Data were collected over 4 weeks (January 2011) and then analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Analysis of Variance, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.