The SPEED (sepsis patient evaluation in the emergency department) score: a risk stratification and outcome prediction tool.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify covariates associated with 28-day mortality in septic patients admitted to the emergency department and derive and validate a score that stratifies mortality risk utilizing parameters that are readily available.

Methods: Patients with an admission diagnosis of suspected or confirmed infection and fulfilling at least two criteria for severe inflammatory response syndrome were included in this study. Patients' characteristics, vital signs, and laboratory values were used to identify prognostic factors for mortality.

Failure to improve door-to-needle time by switching to emergency physician-initiated thrombolysis for ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Achieving target door-needle times for ST elevation myocardial infarction remains challenging. Data on emergency department (ED) doctor-led thrombolysis in developing countries and factors causing delay are limited.

Objectives: To assess the effect on door-needle times by transferring responsibility for thrombolysis to the ED doctors and to identify predictors of prolonged door-needle times.

Are health professionals responsible for the shortage of organs from deceased donors in Malaysia?

The rate of organ donations from deceased donors in Malaysia is among the lowest in the world. This may be because of the passivity among health professionals in approaching families of potential donors. A questionnaire-based study was conducted amongst health professionals in two tertiary hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Complications associated with urinary diversion.

Radical cystectomy (RC) with subsequent urinary diversion has been assessed to be the most difficult surgical procedure in the field of urology. No randomized trials have been performed to compare the outcomes of noncontinent conduit diversion, neobladder construction and continent cutaneous diversion. Almost all studies are of level 3 evidence, meaning the recommendations given in this Review are of grade C only.