Approx. 50% of over 65’s and most of those with catheters have asymptomatic bacteriuria. The patient will not benefit from treatment and often gives us premature closure (i.e. we blame a fictitious UTI for the patients symptoms and stop thinking). Read more
Headache is a common presentation to ED and Subarachnoid is the diagnosis we never want to miss. However, working out who needs a scan can be difficult as 50% of patients presenting with a subarachnoid have no neurological deficit.
The Ottawa SAH Rule is a validated tool for deciding who needs as CT scan. The Ottawa team have also done further work to decide which of the patients you do scan need a follow-up LP/CTA and who we could discharge. Read more
Slide set – HERE
Kindly presented by Mr Habib
RCPCH have released a GREAT series of podcasts on paediatric sepsis. It is from a paediatric slant, but is applicable to the ED and well worth a listen [For Docs and Nurses]
Severe pain is the most common reason that patients with sickle cell, will attend the ED. The pain can be agonising (and often underestimated by us), we need to act fast to help ease the symptoms Read more
Unfortunately under 1 year olds are at a higher risk of NAI and this needs to be considered in ALL presentations. But remember if the child can’t Crawl/Stand/Cruise/Walk they shouldn’t injure themselves.
A new burns referral pathway has been developed with Mid Yorks to securely send images of the patients burn. Allowing the burns team to arrange the most appropriate follow-up for your patient.
This requires BOTH online referral & phone call
Retrobulbar Haematoma secondary to blunt eye injury is a a rare but potentially sight threatening injury.
However, this may only be recognised on CT if there is significant facial injury and altered conscious level.
Call Ophthalmology immediately to attend. If there is going to be any significant delay, it may be necessary for ED to preform a Lateral Canthotomy, to allow the eye to move forward, reduce the orbital pressure & preserve the patients sight.
