Delta neutrophil index as a promising prognostic marker in out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: The post-resuscitation phase after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is characterised by a systemic inflammatory response (e.g., severe sepsis), for which the immature granulocyte count is a diagnostic marker.

Evaluating the utility of rapid point-of-care potassium testing for the early identification of hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease in the emergency department.

Purpose: Severe hyperkalemia leads to significant morbidity and mortality if it is not immediately recognized and treated. The concentration of potassium (K⁺) in the serum increases along with deteriorating renal function. The use of point-of-care K⁺ (POC-K⁺) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) could reduce the time for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, saving lives.

Assessing safety attitudes among healthcare providers after a hospital-wide high-risk patient care program.

Purpose: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is commonly performed in high-risk, high intensity situations and is therefore a good procedure around which to develop and implement safety culture strategies in the hospital. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a hospital-wide quality improvement program on the management of sudden cardiac arrests by assessing healthcare providers' attitudes towards patient safety.

Materials And Methods: This study was designed as a prospective cohort study at a single academic medical center.

The usefulness of the Kurashiki prehospital stroke scale in identifying thrombolytic candidates in acute ischemic stroke.

Purpose: The severity of a stroke cannot be described by widely used prehospital stroke scales. We investigated the usefulness of the Kurashiki Prehospital Stroke Scale (KPSS) for assessing the severity of stroke, compared to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), in candidate patients for intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis who arrived at the hospital within 6 hours of symptom onset.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a prospective registry database of consecutive patients included in the Emergency Stroke Therapy program.

Spontaneous hepatic rupture caused by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome.

The causes of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome or hepatic hemorrhage as a serious complication of HELLP are not known. Although spontaneous hepatic rupture associated with HELLP syndrome is a rare complication of pregnancy, hepatic rupture results in life-threatening complications. The cornerstone of prognosis is early diagnosis.

Predictive value of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale for identifying thrombolytic candidates in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Despite the usefulness of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) for rapid recognition of acute stroke, its ability to assess stroke severity is unclear. We investigated the usefulness of CPSS for assessment of stroke severity by comparing CPSS and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores in patients who were candidates for thrombolytic therapy at hospital admission within 6 hours of symptom onset.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective registry database of consecutive patients included in the brain salvage through emergency stroke therapy program.

Effects of flashlight guidance on chest compression performance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a noisy environment.

Background: In real cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), noise can arise from instructional voices and environmental sounds in places such as a battlefield and industrial and high-traffic areas. A feedback device using a flashing light was designed to overcome noise-induced stimulus saturation during CPR. This study was conducted to determine whether 'flashlight' guidance influences CPR performance in a simulated noisy setting.

Clinical features of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome in the emergency department.

Purpose: Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome (FHCS) is a clinical entity characterized by inflammation of the liver capsule associated with genital tract infection. The aim of this study is to provide physicians with clinical suggestions for diagnostic approaches based on a series of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS after presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Effects of a short text message reminder system on emergency department length of stay.

Purpose: Specialty consultations and waiting for admission to a hospital bed are major contributors to increased length of stay and overcrowding in the emergency department. We implemented a computerized short messaging service to inform care providers of patient delay in order to reduce length of stay. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of this strategy on length of stay in the emergency department.

Estimation of anatomical structures underneath the chest compression landmarks in children by using computed tomography.

Objective: There has been little investigation on the appropriateness of the hand position suggested by various guidelines in paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We aimed to identify anatomical structures underneath the chest compression landmarks and tried to find the proper hand position using computed tomography (CT) images for more effective paediatric CPR.

Patients And Methods: This study included a total of 181 paediatric patients who were admitted to Severance Hospital and underwent CTs of chest.

Analgesic pretreatment for antibiotic skin test: vapocoolant spray vs ice cube.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of ethyl chloride spray and ice cube for the control of pain induced by the antibiotic skin test.

Methods: We performed a prospective, crossover, randomized study in which healthy adult volunteers received an intradermal skin test on both arms after different analgesic pretreatments. We assessed the pretreatment pain and discomfort after the intradermal skin injection using a 100-mm visual analogue scale.

The usefulness of CT for patients with carpal bone fractures in the emergency department.

Objective: The wrist is the most commonly injured joint in the body. However, wrist injuries are often missed in the emergency department (ED). If the fracture is not diagnosed and remains untreated, the patient runs a considerable risk of chronic disability.

[Effects of octreotide on small bowel obstructions in rats].

Backgrounds/aims: Gastrointestinal decompression by nasogastric or intestinal tubes developed in 1930s has been the only treatment modality for inoperable intestinal obstruction. We hypothesized that the octreotide, a potent inhibitor of intestinal secretion, has a therapeutic potential in intestinal obstruction.

Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups.