In the UK approximately 100 people are envenomated by a snake each year.
So what do you need to do if your patient has received a venomous bite from a snake? (not the classic UK cocktail).
- Don’t Cut & Suck!
- Treat what you see
- Call Toxbase
Category: MSK
PEARS
Rhabdomyolysis
We often worry about patients developing rhabdomyolysis and consequently developing AKI. However, there is much debate and little consistency in the published data, over how to diagnose and who needs admission to treat. So its important to consider both clinical context along with laboratory values
Rape & Sexual Assault
Don’t
Preform intimate examinations on Sexual assault/Rape patients
- Unless life-threatening injuries are suspected e.g Haemorrhage.
- As our examination will inevitably destroy evidence that may aid this patient’s case
Do’s
- Consider contamination injury (HIV, HepB, HepC) – Guide
- Consider emergency contraception
- Children must have police referral for safeguarding
- Refer to The Sexual Assault Referral Centre, either via Police or Self referral
FERNO Traction Splint
How to apply the FERNO traction splint for our in-hospital patients
Fascia Iliaca Block – FIB
Tick-Bourne Diseases
The prevalence of diseases transmitted by tick bite have increased in recent years, within the UK. And it is now recognised that there are 3 main infections
- Lyme Disease
- Tick-Bourne Encephalitis
- Babesia
VTE prophylaxis in lower limb Immobilisation (ED – 2023)
In the Emergency Department (ED) lower leg immobilisation after injury is a necessary treatment but is also a known risk factor for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This accounts for approximately 2% of all VTE cases which are potentially preventable with early pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.
Limping Child
This is a relatively common presentation within the ED that has a myriad of possible diagnoses ranging from sprain to malignancy. One thing to remember is that patients and relatives will look for a traumatic reason for limb pain, and may link it to minor injuries that would not have caused it. Read more
Intranasal Fentanyl
There is currently a national shortage of Intranasal Diamorphine therefore we are using Intranasal Fentanyl as a replacement.
Dose is 1.5micrograms/Kg for the initial dose and 0.75micrograms/kg 10 minutes later if required.
Drug Delivery
Draw up the appropriate dose plus 0.1ml to allow for the dead space in the Mucosal Atomizer Device
Attach the MAD to the syringe
Sit the child at 45 degrees insert MAD loosely into the nostril and press the plunger
Doses greater than 0.5ml should be split between 2 nostrils
Contraindications
- Blocked nose due to upper respiratory illness or epistaxis
- Respiratory depression
- Hypovolaemia
- Altered consciousness
- Hypersensitivity to fentanyl
- Children below 1 year old
