Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound for cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in a canadian emergency department.

Objectives: Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis are common conditions that frequently require patients to come to the Emergency Department (ED) and undergo diagnostic imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the test characteristics of emergency physician performed point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to diagnose cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in a Canadian ED.

Methods: A health records review was performed on all ED patients > 17 years of age for whom POCUS was performed to diagnose cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in a Canadian academic ED over a 5-year period.

A Review of Hypertension and Diabetes Protocols for Medical Service Trips (MSTs) in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Background: Hypertension and diabetes are among the most common chronic conditions that may be managed on short-term, primary care medical service trips (MSTs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), but the quality of patient care delivered remains unclear.

Objective: This study summarizes protocols that Western volunteer clinicians use in managing these patients, and highlights their commonalities, differences, and potential limitations.

Methods: A systematic web search was used to identify organizations operating MSTs in LAC.

A Systematic Review of Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Small Non-Community Drinking Water Systems in Canada and the United States.

Background: Reports of outbreaks in Canada and the United States (U.S.) indicate that approximately 50% of all waterborne diseases occur in small non-community drinking water systems (SDWSs).