It is vital that patients returning to police custody as discharged as safely as possible. Part of that is ensuring the custody team has adequate information about the patient. So so complete the Return to custody form, documenting…. Read more
Category: Trauma
Hair Apposition Technique – HAT
Really useful method to close linear head wounds that you wouldn’t normally use glue for within the hair (esp. in children)
- Reduced pain
- Reduced follow up
- increased patient satisfaction (less pain and no need to see again)
- Faster and increased staff satisfaction
Retrobulbar haemorrhage
What is retrobulbar haemorrhage?
- Rapidly progressing haemorrhage into the retrobulbar space which is rare but potentially sight threatening.
- Retrobulbar haemorrhage causes a rapid rise in intraorbital volume and pressure.
- If not treated it can quickly lead to retinal ischaemia and infarction resulting in permanent visual impairment or complete visual loss.
Snake Bites
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
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 and discussion with social care. The paediatricians in CHT may be able to offer support in navigation of services but the responsibility for non-urgent medical assessment lies with specialists at SARC.
- 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
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.
