Use of prothrombin complex concentrates: 4-year experience of a national aeromedical retrieval service servicing remote and rural areas.

Introduction: Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are recommended as first-line treatment for acquired or congenital factor II, VII, IX and X deficiencies in situations of major haemorrhage. The Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) provides critical care and aeromedical retrieval to patients in remote and rural Scotland. It has an important role in the care of these patients.

Do peripheral blood cultures taken in the emergency department influence clinical management?

Background: Blood cultures are routinely used to investigate suspected sepsis in the emergency department despite several studies demonstrating their limited influence on patient management.

Objectives: To quantify the use and clinical relevance of blood cultures obtained in the emergency department.

Methods: A retrospective study of blood cultures taken in the emergency department between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2004.

Do peripheral blood cultures taken in the emergency department influence clinical management?

Background: Blood cultures are routinely used to investigate suspected sepsis in the emergency department despite several studies showing their limited influence on patient management.

Objectives: To quantify the use and clinical relevance of blood cultures obtained in the emergency department.

Methods: A retrospective study of blood cultures taken in the emergency department between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2004.

Mortality after trauma intubation without drugs in Scottish emergency departments.

Background: Trauma patients who are intubated without anaesthetic drugs in the pre-hospital phase of care have universally poor outcomes. This study aimed to determine the mortality of trauma patients intubated without drugs in emergency departments in Scotland.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the prospective Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG) database to identify how many patients were intubated and how many required drugs for intubation between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2002.

Paracetamol and salicylate testing: routinely required for all overdose patients?

Objectives: To determine whether it is necessary to routinely measure serum salicylate levels in addition to serum paracetamol levels in alert overdose patients who deny ingestion of that substance.

Methods: Prospective observational study of overdose patients attending an urban emergency department.

Results: A total of 171 patients attended with an alleged overdose.

Is spinal immobilisation necessary for all patients sustaining isolated penetrating trauma?

Introduction: Previous work suggests that patients with isolated penetrating trauma rarely require spinal immobilisation. This study aimed to identify the incidence of mechanically unstable, or potentially mechanically unstable, spinal column injuries in penetrating trauma patients. The study also aimed to identify the incidence of spinal cord injury as a result of penetrating trauma in Scotland.

Blunt cervical spine injuries in Scotland 1995-2000.

Background: In the Accident and Emergency Department, the management of patients who have sustained head injuries (HI) is often made more complicated by the suspicion of a cervical spine injury (CSI). This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of CSI in patients sustaining blunt head injuries in a Scottish population.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for a 5-year period from the Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG) database.

Effect of patients' age on management of acute intracranial haematoma: prospective national study.

Objective: To determine whether the management of head injuries differs between patients aged > or =65 years and those <65.

Design: Prospective observational national study over four years.

Setting: 25 Scottish hospitals that admit trauma patients.