Test Characteristics of Chest Ultrasonography for Rib Fractures Following Blunt Chest Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Study Objective: Chest ultrasonography has been reported as an accurate imaging modality and potentially superior to chest radiographs in diagnosing traumatic rib fractures. However, few studies have compared ultrasonography to the reference standard of computed tomography (CT), with no systematic reviews published on the topic to date. Our objective was to summarize the evidence comparing the test characteristics of chest ultrasonography to CT in diagnosing rib fractures.

Association between supportive interventions and healthcare utilization and outcomes in patients on long-term prescribed opioid therapy presenting to acute healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Long-term prescription of opioids by healthcare professionals has been linked to poor individual patient outcomes and high resource utilization. Supportive strategies in this population regarding acute healthcare settings may have substantial impact.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of primary studies.

Interventions to Improve Emergency Department-Related Transitions in Care for Adult Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter.

Background: Patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) with acute atrial fibrillation or flutter undergo numerous transitions in care (TiC), including changes in their provider, level of care, and location. During transitions, gaps in communications and care may lead to poor outcomes.

Objective: We sought to examine the effectiveness of ED-based interventions to improve length of stay, return to normal sinus rhythm, and hospitalization, among other critical patient TiC outcomes.

Association between harm reduction strategies and healthcare utilization in patients on long-term prescribed opioid therapy presenting to acute healthcare settings: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Opioids are routinely used to treat a variety of chronic conditions associated with pain. However, they are a class of medications with a significant potential for adverse health effects, with and without misuse. Opioid misuse, as defined as inappropriate use of appropriately prescribed opioids, is becoming more well-recognized publicly but does not have clear treatment options.

Vascular responsiveness measured by tissue oxygen saturation reperfusion slope is sensitive to different occlusion durations and training status.

What is the central question of this study? Is the near-infrared spectroscopy-derived measure of tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) reperfusion slope sensitive to a range of ischaemic conditions, and do differences exist between trained and untrained individuals? What is the main finding and its importance? The StO2 reperfusion rate is sensitive to different occlusion durations, and changes in the reperfusion slope in response to a variety of ischaemic challenges can be used to detect differences between two groups. These data indicate that near-infrared spectroscopy-derived measures of StO2, specifically the reperfusion slope following a vascular occlusion, can be used as a sensitive measure of vascular responsiveness. The reperfusion rate of near-infrared spectroscopy-derived measures of tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) represents vascular responsiveness.