Methoxyflurane in early analgesic therapy by ski patrol members on Swiss ski slopes - an observational cohort study.

Background: Pain therapy is an important first-response measure in the pre-clinical care of trauma patients. Injured individuals on ski slopes are usually given first aid by members of the ski patrol. The early implementation of adequate pain therapy by these paramedical rescuers can increase patient satisfaction and have a positive effect on the entire treatment process.

Learning how to explore spiritual aspects in encounters with patients with chronic pain: a pre-test post-test trial on the effectiveness of a web-based learning intervention.

Background: Integrating spiritual aspects into treatment plans can release essential resources for coping with chronic pain. However, some spiritual aspects may also induce distress and hinder the coping process. There is a lack of evidence regarding how to perform the clinical tasks of exploring spiritual aspects and of instruments assessing related competencies.

Impact of teaching on use of mechanical chest compression devices: a simulation-based trial.

Background: The use of mechanical chest compression devices on patients in cardiac arrest has not shown benefits in previous trials. This is surprising, given that these devices can deliver consistently high-quality chest compressions without interruption. It is possible that this discrepancy is due to the no-flow time (NFT) during the application of the device.

Airway management during ongoing chest compressions-direct vs. video laryngoscopy. A randomised manikin study.

Background: Tracheal intubation is used for advanced airway management during cardiac arrest, particularly when basic airway techniques cannot ensure adequate ventilation. However, minimizing interruptions of chest compressions is of high priority. Video laryngoscopy has been shown to improve the first-pass success rate for tracheal intubation in emergency airway management.

Team leadership assessment after advanced life support courses comparing real teams vs. simulated teams.

Aim: Effective team leadership is essential during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and is taught during international advanced life support (ALS) courses. This study compared the judgement of team leadership during summative assessments after those courses using different validated assessment tools while comparing two different summative assessment methods.

Methods: After ALS courses, twenty videos of simulated team assessments and 20 videos of real team assessments were evaluated and compared.

Dislocation rates of postoperative airway exchange catheters - a prospective case series of 200 patients.

Background: The dislocation rate of oral versus nasal airway exchange catheters (AEC) in the postoperative care unit (PACU) are unknown. Our aim was to establish dislocation rates and to assess the usefulness of waveform capnography to detect dislocation.

Methods: In this non-randomized, prospective observational trial at the University Hospital Bern, Switzerland, we included 200 patients admitted to PACU after extubation via AEC, having provided written informed consent.