The effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory health of Canadian children: A systematic review of epidemiological studies.

Background: Outdoor air pollution is a global problem with serious effects on human health, and children are considered to be highly susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive and updated systematic review of the literature reporting the effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory health of children in Canada.

Methods: Searches of four electronic databases between January 2004 and November 2014 were conducted to identify epidemiological studies evaluating the effect of exposure to outdoor air pollutants on respiratory symptoms, lung function measurements and the use of health services due to respiratory conditions in Canadian children.

Mortality, admission rates and outpatient use among frequent users of emergency departments: a systematic review.

Objective: This systematic review examines whether frequent emergency department (ED) users experience higher mortality, hospital admissions and outpatient visits than non-frequent ED users.

Design: We published an a priori study protocol in PROSPERO. Our search strategy combined terms for 'frequent users' and 'emergency department'.

Assessing the use of international classification of diseases-10th revision codes from the emergency department for the identification of acute heart failure.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare administrative codes with chart review for patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

Background: Administrative databases are used in population health research; however, the validity of codes in the emergency department (ED) for AHF compared with chart review is uncertain.

Methods: A cohort of 952 patients with suspected AHF were prospectively recruited from 4 EDs in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from 2009 to 2012.

Development of a pulsed uniform supersonic gas expansion system based on an aerodynamic chopper for gas phase reaction kinetic studies at ultra-low temperatures.

A detailed description of a new pulsed supersonic uniform gas expansion system is presented together with the experimental validation of the setup by applying the CRESU (French acronym for Cinétique de Réaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme or Reaction Kinetics in a Uniform Supersonic Flow) technique to the gas-phase reaction of OH radicals with 1-butene at ca. 23 K and 0.63 millibars of helium (carrier gas).

Emergency department management of syncope: need for standardization and improved risk stratification.

Variations in emergency department (ED) syncope management have not been well studied. The goals of this study were to assess variations in management, and emergency physicians' risk perception and disposition decision making. We conducted a prospective study of adults with syncope in six EDs in four cities over 32 months.

Incidence and prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among aboriginal peoples in Alberta, Canada.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major respiratory disorder, largely caused by smoking that has been linked with large health inequalities worldwide. There are important gaps in our knowledge about how COPD affects Aboriginal peoples. This retrospective cohort study assessed the epidemiology of COPD in a cohort of Aboriginal peoples relative to a non-Aboriginal cohort.

Recurrence of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Cancer Treated With Warfarin.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in patients with cancer. Previous randomized studies have demonstrated that the rates of recurrent VTE are lower in patients treated with low-molecular-weight heparin compared to warfarin. We performed a retrospective analysis of 236 patients with cancer managed by a dedicated oncology anticoagulation management service to compare "real-world" rates of recurrent VTE and bleeding in patients treated with warfarin versus parenteral anticoagulants.

Severe bicycling injury risk factors in children and adolescents: a case-control study.

Background: Bicycling is the most common cause of sports and recreation injury in children and adolescents; yet, there is limited evidence on the factors associated with severe bicycling injuries in youth.

Methods: Case-control study of injured bicyclists less than 18 years old seen in seven emergency departments (EDs) from May 2008 to October 2010. Cases were bicyclists hospitalized after their ED visit (severe injury).

Factors Associated with Failure of Non-invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in a Critical Care Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

Introduction: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is used to treat severe acute respiratory distress. Prehospital NIPPV has been associated with a reduction in both in-hospital mortality and the need for invasive ventilation.

Hypothesis/problem: The authors of this study examined factors associated with NIPPV failure and evaluated the impact of NIPPV on scene times in a critical care helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS).

The use of early immobilization in the management of acute soft-tissue injuries of the knee: results of a survey of emergency physicians, sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons.

Background: Evidence-based guidelines on the use of immobilization in the management of common acute soft-tissue knee injuries do not exist. Our objective was to explore the practice patterns of emergency physicians (EPs), sports medicine physicians (SMPs) and orthopedic surgeons (OS) regarding the use of early immobilization in the management of these injuries.

Methods: We developed a web-based survey and sent it to all EPs, SMPs and OS in a Canadian urban centre.

Management of acute exacerbation of COPD in rural Alberta emergency departments.

Introduction: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common presentation to emergency departments (EDs); however, limited information exists about the management of this condition in nonurban locations. We sought to examine the diagnostic and treatment approaches for acute exacerbation of COPD in 3 rural EDs, and to determine levels of adherence to recommendations from the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) clinical practice guideline.

Methods: We conducted retrospective chart reviews to explore the management of patients who presented to 3 rural EDs for acute exacerbation of COPD in 2011.

The effect of early in-hospital medication review on health outcomes: a systematic review.

Aims: Adverse drug events are an important cause of emergency department visits, unplanned admissions and prolonged hospital stays. Our objective was to synthesize the evidence on the effect of early in-hospital pharmacist-led medication review on patient-oriented outcomes based on observed data.

Methods: We systematically searched eight bibliographic reference databases, electronic grey literature, medical journals, conference proceedings, trial registries and bibliographies of relevant papers.

Action plans in patients presenting to emergency departments with asthma exacerbations: Frequency of use and description of contents.

Background: Although underused, written asthma action plans (AAPs) are associated with reduced numbers of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations.

Objective: To describe the frequency of use and contents of any AAPs reported by patients presenting with exacerbations to three urban Canadian EDs.

Methods: Prospective data were collected through ED interview and chart review.

A PHASE II TRIAL OF BALLOON-CATHETER PARTIAL BREAST BRACHYTHERAPY OPTIMIZATION IN THE TREATMENT OF STAGE 0, I AND IIA BREAST CARCINOMA.

Objectives: (a) To prospectively determine if multidwell position dose delivery can decrease skin dose and resultant toxicity over single dwell balloon-catheter partial breast irradiation, and (b) to evaluate whether specific skin parameters could be safely used instead of skin-balloon distance alone for predicting toxicity and treatment eligibility.

Methods: A single-arm phase II study using a Simon two-stage design was performed on 28 women with stage 0-II breast cancer. All patients were treated with multiple dwell position balloon-catheter brachytherapy.

A randomized trial of benralizumab, an antiinterleukin 5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, after acute asthma.

Background: Patients with frequent asthma exacerbations resulting in emergency department (ED) visits are at increased risk for future exacerbations. We examined the ability of 1 dose of benralizumab, an investigational antiinterleukin 5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, to reduce recurrence after acute asthma exacerbations.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, eligible subjects presented to the ED with an asthma exacerbation, had partial response to treatment, and greater than or equal to 1 additional exacerbation within the previous year.

Emergency Department Patients With Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter and an Acute Underlying Medical Illness May Not Benefit From Attempts to Control Rate or Rhythm.

Study Objective: Although the management and outcomes of emergency department (ED) patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter have been explored, such studies have typically excluded patients with acute underlying medical illnesses. We seek to describe the ED treatment and outcomes of these complex patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive cohort study used an ECG database from 2 urban EDs to identify consecutive ED patients with an ECG demonstrating atrial fibrillation or flutter from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2009.

Rates and correlates of relapse following ED discharge for acute asthma: a Canadian 20-site prospective cohort study.

Background: Acute asthma is a common ED presentation. In a prospective, multicenter cohort study, we determined the frequency and factors associated with asthma relapse following discharge from the ED.

Methods: Adults aged 18 to 55 years who were treated for acute asthma and discharged from 20 Canadian EDs underwent a structured ED interview and a follow-up telephone interview 4 weeks later.

The Cochrane Library and safety of systemic corticosteroids for acute respiratory conditions in children: an overview of reviews.

Background: Acute respiratory conditions are a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Corticosteroids are effective and established treatments in some acute respiratory infections (e.g.

Acute management and outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus presenting to Canadian emergency departments with hypoglycemia.

Objectives: This retrospective chart audit examined the demographics, investigations, management and outcomes of adult patients with diabetes mellitus presenting to Canadian emergency departments (EDs).

Methods: All sites conducted a search of their electronic medical records using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes to identify ED visits for hypoglycemia between 2008 and 2010. Patient characteristics, demographics, ED management, ED resources and outcome are reported.

Randomized controlled trial of treatment expectation and intravenous fluid in pediatric migraine.

Objective: (1) The primary objectives were (1) to assess the response to intravenous (IV) fluid in children presenting to the ED with migraine and; (2) to assess the effect of treatment expectation on the response to I.

Background: Despite a lack of evidence for the practice, many emergency department (ED) migraine treatment protocols include a bolus of IV fluid. This study assessed the overall response to IV fluid hydration and the effect of expected medication treatment on the pain response among children and adolescents with migraine in an urban ED.

Air pollution and emergency department visits for epistaxis.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between outdoor ambient air pollution and emergency department (ED) visits for epistaxis.

Design: Cross-sectional study, case-crossover design.

Setting: ED visit data were obtained for Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for a period of 10 years starting 1 April 1992 and ending March 31st of 2002.

The efficacy of pad placement for electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation/flutter: a systematic review.

Objectives: Electrical cardioversion is commonly used to treat patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter to restore normal sinus rhythm. There has been considerable debate as to whether the electrode placement affects the efficacy of electrical cardioversion. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of anteroposterior (A-P) versus anterolateral (A-L) electrode placement to restore normal sinus rhythm.