This paper describes a simple approach to emergency thoracotomy that can be used by a doctor in the prehospital environment and in the resuscitation room.

Background: The inability to secure a patient’s airway in the prehospital setting is a major cause of potentially preventable death in the field of trauma and emergency medicine. Methods: The University of Arizona in Tucson has established two telepresence programs, the Southern Arizona Teletrauma and Telepresence Program and Tucson Emergency Room (ER)-Link for assisting with trauma and emergen...

BACKGROUND Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant health concern and a major burden for society. The period between trauma event and hospital admission in an emergency department (ED) could be a determinant for secondary brain injury and early survival. The aim was to investigate the relationship between prehospital factors associated with secondary brain injury (arterial hypotens...

OBJECTIVE Preclinical actions in the primary assessment of victims of blunt trauma may prolong the time to definitive clinical care. The aim of this study was to examine the duration of performed interventions and to study the effect of on-scene time (OST) and interventions performed before admission to hospital on hospital resuscitation time. METHODS 147 consecutive patients with high-energy...

The prehospital emergency airway management is a key moderating factor for patient survival and mortality rates. There has been much debate around the optimum method of management. This commentary critically appraises recent systematic review which assesses harms benefits three different strategies range clinical scenarios. Commentary on: Carney N, Totten AM, Cheney T et al. Prehospital Airway ...

BACKGROUND The inability to secure a patient's airway in the prehospital setting is a major cause of potentially preventable death in the field of trauma and emergency medicine. METHODS The University of Arizona in Tucson has established two telepresence programs, the Southern Arizona Teletrauma and Telepresence Program and Tucson Emergency Room (ER)-Link for assisting with trauma and emergen...

BACKGROUND Physicians working in prehospital care are expected to handle radio communication both within their own sector as well as with other divisions of the National Emergency Services. To date, no study has been conducted on the level of training received by physicians in the use of the equipment provided or on the level of competency acquired by physicians. METHODS In order to investiga...