Spiced RCT: Success and Pain Associated with Intravenous Cannulation in the Emergency Department Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Peripheral venous cannulation is one of the most common procedures in medicine. A larger cannula allows higher rates of fluid to be provided if needed in a deteriorating patient; however, it is also perceived that larger-gauge cannula placement is associated with increased pain and procedural difficulty.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the pain and procedural difficulty experienced during insertion between 18-gauge (18G) and 20-gauge (20G) cannulas.

Out of hospital cardiac arrest in Western Sydney-an analysis of outcomes and estimation of future eCPR eligibility.

Background: Refractory out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with extremely poor outcomes. However, in selected patients extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) may be an effective rescue therapy, allowing time treat reversible causes. The primary goal was to estimate the potential future caseload of eCPR at historically 'low-volume' extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centres.

Simulation-based medical education can be used to improve the mental health competency of emergency physicians.

Objective: We explored the feasibility of developing, running and evaluating a simulation-based medical education (SBME) workshop to improve the knowledge, skills and attitudes of emergency department (ED) doctors when called on to assess patients in psychiatric crisis.

Method: We designed a four-hour workshop incorporating SBME and a blend of pre-reading, short didactic elements and multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Emergency department nurses (operating as SBME faculty) used prepared scripts to portray patients presenting in psychiatric crisis.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Adult Therapeutic Coloring for the Management of Significant Anxiety in the Emergency Department.

Background: Anxiety and acute distress are significant concerns in the emergency department (ED). Adult coloring books are often utilized as an effective means of relaxation in waiting rooms and newsstands, but there are no reported randomized trials examining their effectiveness as a treatment for anxiety.

Methods: We set out to examine the effectiveness of adult coloring books using a randomized placebo-controlled trial at a university-affiliated tertiary ED.

A provincial assessment of readiness for paediatric emergencies: What are the existing resource gaps in Alberta?

Objectives: A large proportion of all emergency visits for paediatric patients across Canada are to general emergency departments (EDs). These centres may not be adequately equipped to provide optimal care for high acuity paediatric emergencies. The objective of this study was to determine paediatric readiness for general EDs and urgent care centres (UCCs) across Alberta and provide each centre with an overall weighted Paediatric Readiness Score (WPRS).

What are the risk factors for injuries and injury prevention strategies for skiers and snowboarders in terrain parks and half-pipes? A systematic review.

Objective: To synthesise the current evidence regarding the risk factors, the injury prevention strategies and the profile of injured skiers and snowboarders in terrain parks (TPs) and half-pipes (HPs).

Design: Systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Data Sources: Literature searches from six electronic databases and manual searches were performed.

Patient-Reported Pain Outcomes for Children Attending an Emergency Department With Limb Injury.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe patient-reported pain outcomes at various stages of an emergency department (ED) visit for pediatric limb injury.

Methods: This prospective cohort consisted of 905 patients aged 4 to 17 years with acute limb injury and a minimum initial pain score of 4/10. Patients reported pain scores and treatments offered and received at each stage of their ED visit.

Test characteristics of common appendicitis scores with and without laboratory investigations: a prospective observational study.

Background: Despite the poor independent test characteristics of the white blood cell count (WBC) and neutrophil count (NC) in identifying appendicitis, common clinical decision supports including the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) and Alvarado Score (AS), require the WBC and NC values. Moreover, blood tests cause discomfort/pain to children and require time for processing results. Scores based on clinical information alone may be of benefit in the pediatric population.