11 research outputs found
Hospital disaster planning in the Western Cape : are we ready for 2010?
Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-72)
The Emergency Management and Treatment of Severe Burns
Burn injuries continue to cause morbidity and mortality internationally. Despite international collaborations and preventative measures, there are still many cases reported in high- and low-income countries. The treatment of these patients is often protracted and requires extensive resources. The adequate resuscitation of these patients coupled with meticulous wound care can have a huge impact on their outcome. The authors present a simple guideline for the initial management of severe burns which is utilised by the South African Burn Society and is based on the guidelines of the American Burn Association and the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association
Adrenaline and amiodarone dosages in resuscitation: Rectifying misinformation
Despite the recognition of specialists in emergency medicine and the professionalisation of prehospital emergency care, international guidelines and consensus are often ignored, and the lag between guideline publication and translation into clinical practice is protracted. South African literature should reflect the latest evidence to guide resuscitation and safe patient care. This article addresses erroneous details regarding life-saving interventions in the South African Medicines Formulary , 10th edition
Triple phase dynamic computed tomographic perfusion characteristics of spirocercosis induced esophageal nodules in non-neoplastic versus neoplastic canine cases
Neoplastic transformation of Spirocerca lupi induced esophageal nodules carries a poor
prognosis. Clinical, clinicopathological, endoscopic, and radiographic characteristics may be
indicative of neoplastic transformation but variable sensitivity and specificity of these
parameters makes their use questionable. We hypothesized that CT would be a better
diagnostic modality to discriminate between non-neoplastic and neoplastic nodules. In this
prospective study of 38 dogs, the appearance and perfusion characteristics of confirmed
spirocercosis-induced neoplastic and non-neoplastic esophageal nodules were described using
survey CT and triple phase dynamic CT angiography (CTA). Pre- and post-contrast early
arterial, late arterial, and venous CTA images were evaluated. Non-neoplastic nodules were
smooth and nonmineralized with a higher proportion of hypoattenuating necropurulent
cavities compared to neoplastic nodules that had a more irregular surface, with 93% having
mineralized foci and rarely any hypoattenuating pockets. Non-neoplastic nodules were
significantly more perfused than neoplastic nodules with the difference being up to 23
Hounsfield units. The difference was most marked in the early and late arterial phases (P =
0.0005 and 0.00005, respectively). Ratios of the normal esophagus adjacent to the neoplastic
and non-neoplastic nodules did not differ significantly from each other. Perfusion findings
demonstrated relative hypoperfusion of the esophageal sarcomas. Findings from the current
study indicated that CT characteristics of relative postcontrast hypoperfusion, combined with
nodule irregularity and mineralization warrant a high level of concern for neoplastic
transformation in canine spirocercosis-induced esophageal nodules.South African National Research Foundationhttp://www.elsevier.com/locate/funbiohb2016Companion Animal Clinical Studie
External patient temperature control in emergency centres, trauma centres, intensive care units and operating theatres: A multi-society literature review
Here we review the available literature supporting the routine and timely use of external patient warming devices of all possible types during emergency department and peri-operative situations, including the role of best ambient temperature, and provides a best-practice statement on the need for such devices. It aims to present a guideline document endorsed by the major South African professional societies in the field of emergency and peri-operative care
Emergency point-of-care ultrasound applications : basic applications for the clinician performing bedside ultrasound
The original publication is available at http://www.cmej.org.za/index.php/cmejClinicians who regularly manage critically
ill and injured patients often lack the
immediate clinical information that is
essential to make correct clinical decisions.
Emergency point-of-care ultrasound
(EPCUS), performed by bedside clinicians,
may provide some of this information,
which will help in making the correct
clinical decisions and improve overall
patient outcomes