Cohort of Four Thousand Four Hundred Four Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in a New York Hospital and Predictors of ICU Care and Ventilation.

Study objective: Most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reports have focused on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive patients. However, at initial presentation, most patients' viral status is unknown. Determination of factors that predict initial and subsequent need for ICU and invasive mechanical ventilation is critical for resource planning and allocation. We describe our experience with 4,404 persons under investigation and explore predictors of ICU care and invasive mechanical ventilation at a New York COVID-19 epicenter. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all persons under investigation and presenting to a large academic medical center emergency department (ED) in New York State with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. The association between patient predictor variables and SARS-CoV-2 status, ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality was explored with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Between March 12 and April 14, 2020, we treated 4,404 persons under investigation for COVID-19 infection, of whom 68% were discharged home, 29% were admitted to a regular floor, and 3% to an ICU. One thousand six hundred fifty-one of 3,369 patients tested have had SARS-CoV-2-positive results to date. Of patients with regular floor admissions, 13% were subsequently upgraded to the ICU after a median of 62 hours (interquartile range 28 to 106 hours). Fifty patients required invasive mechanical ventilation in the ED, 4 required out-of-hospital invasive mechanical ventilation, and another 167 subsequently required invasive mechanical ventilation in a median of 60 hours (interquartile range 26 to 99) hours after admission. Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and lower oxygen saturations were associated with need for ICU and invasive mechanical ventilation, and with death. High respiratory rates were associated with the need for ICU care. Conclusion: Persons under investigation for COVID-19 infection contribute significantly to the health care burden beyond those ruling in for SARS-CoV-2. For every 100 admitted persons under investigation, 9 will require ICU stay, invasive mechanical ventilation, or both on arrival and another 12 within 2 to 3 days of hospital admission, especially persons under investigation with lower oxygen saturations and positive SARS-CoV-2 swab results. This information should help hospitals manage the pandemic efficiently.

Cerebral oximetry versus end tidal CO2 in predicting ROSC after cardiac arrest.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Both end tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and cerebral oxygen saturations (rSO2) have been studied to determine their ability to monitor the effectiveness of CPR and predict return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We compared the accuracy of ETCO2 and rSO2 at predicting ROSC in ED patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study of adult ED patients presenting in cardiac arrest. We collected demographic and clinical data including age, gender, presenting rhythm, rSO2, and ETCO2. We used receiver operating characteristic curves to compare how well rSO2 and ETCO2 predicted ROSC. RESULTS: 225 patients presented to the ED with cardiac arrest between 10/11 and 10/14 of which 100 had both rSO2 and ETCO2 measurements. Thirty three patients (33%) had sustained ROSC, only 2 survived to discharge. The AUCs for rSO2 and ETCO2 were similar (0.69 [95% CI, 0.59-0.80] and 0.77 [95% CI, 0.68-0.86], respectively), however, rSO2 and ETCO2 were poorly correlated (0.12, 95% CI, -0.08-0.31). The optimal cutoffs for rSO2 and ETCO2 were 50% and 20mm Hg respectively. At these cutoffs, ETCO2 was more sensitive (100%, 95% CI 87-100 vs. 48%, 31-66) but rSO2 was more specific (85%, 95% CI, 74-92 vs. 45%, 33-57). CONCLUSIONS: While poorly correlated, rSO2 and ETCO2 have similar diagnostic characteristics. ETCO2 is more sensitive and rSO2 is more specific at predicting ROSC in OHCA.

Cerebral oximetry levels during CPR are associated with return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy measures regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) non-invasively and may provide information regarding the quality of cerebral oxygen perfusion. We determined whether the level of rSO2 obtained during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is associated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival in Emergency Department (ED) patients presenting with cardiac arrest. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study of adult ED patients presenting at an academic medical centre with cardiac arrest in whom continuous cerebral oximetry was performed. Demographic and clinical data including age, gender, presenting rhythm and mean rSO2 readings were abstracted. Cerebral oxygenation was measured with a commercially available oximeter. RESULTS: A convenience study sample included 59 patients ages 18-102 years (mean age 68.7±14.9 years); 50 (84.7%) were men. Presenting rhythms included pulseless electrical activity (21), asystole (20) and ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia (17). 24 patients (40.6%) had ROSC and only 1 (1.7%) survived to hospital discharge. Patients with and without ROSC were similar in age and presenting cardiac rhythms. The mean of mean rSO2 levels was higher in patients with ROSC, 43.8 (95% CI 40.1 to 47.6) compared with those without ROSC, 34.2 (95% CI 30.6 to 37.8); p=0.001. 91.7% of patients with ROSC had a rSO2 of 30% or greater compared with 62.9% in those without ROSC (p=0.01). The area under the curve for mean rSO2 as a predictor of ROSC was 0.76 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: In ED patients with cardiac arrest higher cerebral oxygen saturations are associated with higher rates of ROSC.

Utilization of coronary computed tomography angiography for exclusion of coronary artery disease in ED patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain: a 1-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: We describe our preliminary experience with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in emergency department (ED) patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain. METHODS: A convenience cohort of patients with low- to intermediate-risk acute chest pain presenting to a suburban ED in 2009 were prospectively enrolled if the attending physician ordered a CCTA for possible coronary artery disease. Demographic and clinician data were entered into structured data collection sheets required before any imaging. The results of CCTA were classified as normal, nonobstructive (1%-50% stenosis), and obstructive (>50% stenosis). Outcomes included hospital admission and death within a 6-month follow-up period. RESULTS: In 2009, 507 patients with ED chest pain had a CCTA while in the ED. The median (interquartile range) age was 54 (47-62) years; 51.5% were female. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk scores were 0 (42.6%), 1 (42.2%), 2 (11.8%), 3 (2.4%), and 4 (1.0%). The results of CCTA were normal (n = 363), nonobstructive (n = 123), and obstructive (n = 21). Admission rates by CCTA results were obstructive (90.5%), nonobstructive (4.9%), and normal (3.0%). None of the patients with normal or nonobstructive CCTA died within the 6-month follow-up period (0%; 95% confidence interval, 0-0.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Many ED patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain have a normal or nonobstructive CCTA and may be safely discharged from the ED without any associated mortality within the following 6 months.

Guidelines for field triage of injured patients. Recommendations of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage.

In the United States, injury is the leading cause of death for persons aged 1--44 years, and the approximately 800,000 emergency medical services (EMS) providers have a substantial impact on the care of injured persons and on public health. At an injury scene, EMS providers determine the severity of injury, initiate medical management, and identify the most appropriate facility to which to transport the patient through a process called "field triage." Although basic emergency services generally are consistent across hospital emergency departments (EDs), certain hospitals have additional expertise, resources, and equipment for treating severely injured patients. Such facilities, called "trauma centers," are classified from Level I (centers providing the highest level of trauma care) to Level IV (centers providing initial trauma care and transfer to a higher level of trauma care if necessary) depending on the scope of resources and services available. The risk for death of a severely injured person is 25% lower if the patient receives care at a Level I trauma center. However, not all patients require the services of a Level I trauma center; patients who are injured less severely might be served better by being transported to a closer ED capable of managing milder injuries. Transferring all injured patients to Level I trauma centers might overburden the centers, have a negative impact on patient outcomes, and decrease cost effectiveness. In 1986, the American College of Surgeons developed the Field Triage Decision Scheme (Decision Scheme), which serves as the basis for triage protocols for state and local EMS systems across the United States. The Decision Scheme is an algorithm that guides EMS providers through four decision steps (physiologic, anatomic, mechanism of injury, and special considerations) to determine the most appropriate destination facility within the local trauma care system. Since its initial publication in 1986, the Decision Scheme has been revised four times. In 2005, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, CDC began facilitating revision of the Decision Scheme by hosting a series of meetings of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage, which includes injury-care providers, public health professionals, automotive industry representatives, and officials from federal agencies. The Panel reviewed relevant literature, presented its findings, and reached consensus on necessary revisions. The revised Decision Scheme was published in 2006. This report describes the process and rationale used by the Expert Panel to revise the Decision Scheme.

Effectiveness of mouth-to-mouth ventilation after video self-instruction training in laypersons.

BACKGROUND: Mouth-to-mouth ventilation is a skill taught in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for laypersons. However, its effectiveness is questioned. Our aim was to determine the effectiveness of mouth-to-mouth ventilation training using a self-instruction CPR training video for laypersons. METHODS: Video-self-instruction CPR training was conducted with CPR Anytime (American Heart Association [AHA] & Laerdal Corporation) for laypersons who had not received CPR training during the recent 5 years. Immediately before, immediately after, and 8 weeks after the CPR training, an AHA basic life support instructor carried out a skill performance test using a standardized checklist. Also, 8 weeks after the training, a skill test concerning chest compression and mouth-to-mouth ventilation was conducted using a trained reporter. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training of 84 laypersons was conducted. The mean performance score (from 0 to 2) for mouth-to-mouth ventilation was 0.24 right before the training, 1.58 right after the training, and 0.95 eight weeks after the training. The mean performance scores for chest compression were 0.13, 1.79, and 1.40, right before, right after, and 8 weeks after the CPR training, respectively. The rates of successful mouth-to-mouth ventilation and compression were 11.9%, and 39.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness and short-term retention rate of mouth-to-mouth ventilation after video self-instruction CPR training in laypersons was significantly lower than for chest compressions.

Comparison of traditional advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) course instruction vs. a scenario-based, performance oriented team instruction (SPOTI) method for Korean paramedic students.

Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course instruction involves a 2-day course with traditional lectures and limited team interaction. We wish to explore the advantages of a scenario-based performance-oriented team instruction (SPOTI) method to implement core ACLS skills for non-English-speaking international paramedic students. The objective of this study was to determine if scenario-based, performance-oriented team instruction (SPOTI) improves educational outcomes for the ACLS instruction of Korean paramedic students. Thirty Korean paramedic students were randomly selected into two groups. One group of 15 students was taught the traditional ACLS course. The other 15 students were instructed using a SPOTI method. Each group was tested using ACLS megacode examinations endorsed by the American Heart Association. All 30 students passed the ACLS megacode examination. In the traditional ACLS study group an average of 85% of the core skills were met. In the SPOTI study group an average of 93% of the core skills were met. In particular, the SPOTI study group excelled at physical examination skills such as airway opening, assessment of breathing, signs of circulation, and compression rates. In addition, the SPOTI group performed with higher marks on rhythm recognition compared to the traditional group. The traditional group performed with higher marks at providing proper drug dosages compared to the SPOTI students. However, the students enrolled in the SPOTI method resulted in higher megacode core compliance scores compared to students trained in traditional ACLS course instruction. These differences did not achieve statistical significance due to the small sample size.

The association between transfer of emergency department boarders to inpatient hallways and mortality: a 4-year experience.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We developed and implemented an institutional protocol aimed at reducing crowding by admitting boarded patients to hospital inpatient hallways. We hypothesized that transfer of admitted patients from the emergency department (ED) to inpatient hallways would be feasible and not create patient harm. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in a suburban, academic ED with an annual census of 70,000. We studied consecutive patients admitted from our ED between January 2004 and January 2008. In 2001, a multidisciplinary team developed and implemented an institutional protocol in which admitted adult patients boarded in the ED were transferred to hospital inpatient hallways under select conditions. We extracted data from the electronic medical record system, measuring patient demographics, ED disposition (discharge, admit to floor, admit to hallway), ED length of stay, and inhospital mortality. We report ED length of stay, subsequent transfer to an ICU, and hospital mortality of patients admitted to standard and hallway inpatient beds. RESULTS: Of 55,062 ED patients admitted, there were 1,798 deaths. Of all admissions, 2,042 (4%) went to a hallway; 53,020 went to a standard bed. Patients admitted to standard and hallway beds were similar in age (median [interquartile range] 55 years [37 to 72 years] and 54 years [41 to 70 years], respectively) and sex (48.2% and 50% female patients, respectively). The median (interquartile range) times from ED triage to actual admission in patients admitted to standard and hallway beds were 426 minutes (306 to 600 minutes) and 624 (439 to 895 minutes) minutes, respectively (P<.001). Median ED census at triage was lower for standard bed admissions than for hallway patients (44 [33 to 53] versus 50 [38 to 61], respectively, P<.001). Inhospital mortality rates were higher among patients admitted to standard beds (2.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5% to 2.7%) than among patients admitted to hallway beds (1.1%; 95% CI 0.7% to 1.7%). ICU transfers were also higher in the standard bed admissions (6.7% [95% CI 6.5% to 6.9%] versus 2.5% [95% CI 1.9% to 3.3%]). CONCLUSION: Transfer of ED-boarded admitted patients to an inpatient hallway occurs during high ED census and waiting times for admission but does not appears to result in patient harm.

The effect of adding a second helicopter on trauma-related mortality in a county-based trauma system.

OBJECTIVES: Despite conflicting evidence regarding its efficacy, helicopter transportation of trauma victims is widespread. We determined the effect of adding a second helicopter to a countywide emergency medicine system on trauma-related mortality. METHODS: A before-and-after trial design was used to compare hospital mortality before and after introducing a second helicopter to the eastern end of Suffolk County, New York, in 2001 aimed at reducing transport times to the regional trauma center. Outcomes before and after introducing the second helicopter were compared with parametric or nonparametric tests as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 1,551 trauma patients were included in this study from June 1996 to May 2006, with 705 in the single-helicopter period and 846 in the two-helicopter period. Mean ages, gender distributions, and mean Injury Severity Scores (ISSs) were similar between groups. Total mortality significantly decreased after the addition of the second helicopter (16.2% before vs. 11.9% after; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of a second helicopter to the east end of Long Island was associated with a significant reduction in the total trauma mortality.

Emergency department activation of an interventional cardiology team reduces door-to-balloon times in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines recommend door-to-balloon times of fewer than 90 minutes in patients with acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that immediate activation of an interventional cardiology team (code H) would reduce the time to percutaneous coronary intervention by 1 hour and increase the proportion of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes of arrival. METHODS: Study design was a before-and-after trial in an academic suburban emergency department (ED) with a certified cardiac catheterization laboratory. Subjects were a consecutive sample of patients presenting to the ED with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction evident on the initial ECG. Patients without chest pain and refusing catheterization were excluded. The intervention was the use of a central paging system for activation of the interventional cardiology team (attending physician, fellow, nurse, technician) by emergency physicians in patients presenting to the ED with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Measures were demographic and clinical information collected with standardized data collection forms. Outcomes were door-to-balloon times and the proportion of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes of arrival. Groups were compared with chi2 and t tests. RESULTS: There were 97 patients included in the study; 43 were treated in the 2 years before implementation of the code H and 54 patients were treated the subsequent 2 years. Mean age (SD) was 56.9 years (13.7), 27% were women, and 86% were white. Groups were similar in age, sex, and race. Implementation of a code H reduced the median door-to-balloon time by 68 minutes (from 176 to 108 minutes; P<.001) and increased the proportion of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes from 2.8% to 29.0% (mean difference 26.5; 95% confidence interval 15.0 to 36.9). To determine whether further improvements occurred, 48 patients treated in 2006 showed a 20-minute further reduction in door-to-balloon time; 52% underwent angioplasty within 90 minutes of ED presentation. CONCLUSION: Institutional implementation of a protocol that requires emergency physicians to activate an interventional cardiology team response in ED patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction reduces the door-to-balloon time and increases the proportion of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes.

Predictors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator skill retention.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist regarding the retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) skills over time in relationship to characteristics of lay volunteer responders, training, or risk of exposure to victims. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics associated with adequate CPR and AED skill retention. METHODS AND RESULTS: Skill retention was tested 3 to 18 months (mean 6.9 +/- 3.5 months) after initial training. Instructors judged adequacy of performance of essential CPR or AED skills and provided an overall assessment (adequate/inadequate), which was used as the outcome. Data on 7261 laypersons trained in CPR (4358 also received AED training) in 24 sites across the United States and Canada were available from the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Trial. Characteristics of the volunteers, classes, and facilities were evaluated as predictors of performance adequacy. Adjusting for site, intervention assignment (CPR-only or CPR + AED), and time since initial training, volunteer characteristics associated with adequate CPR performance were age (OR 0.78 per 10-year increment), male sex (OR 1.44), minority (OR 0.62), married (OR 1.35), prior emergency experience (OR 1.66), prior CPR class (OR 1.68), prior advanced training (OR 1.59), and extracurricular CPR training (OR 1.91) (all P < .05). Characteristics associated with AED performance included age (OR 0.69), college education (OR 1.34), and native language other than English (OR 0.51) (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Certain subgroups of lay volunteers may need targeted outreach programs in CPR and AED use, classes with longer training time, more practice, or more intense retraining to maintain their CPR and/or AED skills.

Associations between routine coronary computed tomographic angiography and reduced unnecessary hospital admissions, length of stay, recidivism rates, and invasive coronary angiography in the emergency department triage of chest pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the effects on resource utilization of routine coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in triaging chest pain patients in the emergency department (ED). BACKGROUND: The routine use of CCTA for ED evaluation of chest pain is feasible and safe. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multivariate analysis of data from two risk-matched cohorts of 894 ED patients presenting with chest pain to assess the impact of CCTA versus standard evaluation on admissions rate, length of stay, major adverse cardiovascular event rates, recidivism rates, and downstream resource utilization. RESULTS: The overall admission rate was lower with CCTA (14% vs. 40%; p < 0.001). Standard evaluation was associated with a 5.5-fold greater risk for admission (odds ratio [OR]: 5.53; p < 0.001). Expected ED length of stay with standard evaluation was about 1.6 times longer (OR: 1.55; p < 0.001). There were no differences in the rates of death and acute myocardial infarction within 30 days of the index visit between the two groups. The likelihood of returning to the ED within 30 days for recurrent chest pain was 5 times greater with standard evaluation (OR: 5.06; p = 0.022). Standard evaluation was associated with a 7-fold greater likelihood of invasive coronary angiography without revascularization (OR: 7.17; p < 0.001), while neither group was significantly more likely to receive revascularization (OR: 2.06; p = 0.193). The median radiation dose with CCTA was 5.88 mSv (n = 1039; confidence interval: 5.2 to 6.4). CONCLUSIONS: The routine use of CCTA in ED evaluation of chest pain reduces healthcare resource utilization.

Introduction of a stat laboratory reduces emergency department length of stay.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) impacts patient satisfaction and overcrowding. Laboratory turnaround time (TAT) is a major determinant of ED LOS. The authors determined the impact of a Stat laboratory (Stat lab) on ED LOS. The authors hypothesized that a Stat lab would reduce ED LOS for admitted patients by 1 hour. METHODS: This was a before-and-after study conducted at an academic suburban ED with 75,000 annual patient visits. All patients presenting to the ED during the months of August and October 2006 were considered. A Stat lab located within the central laboratory was introduced in September 2006 to reduce laboratory TAT. The test TATs and ED LOS before (August 2006) and after (October 2006) implementing the Stat lab for all ED patients were the data of interest. ED LOS before and after the Stat lab was introduced was compared with the Mann-Whitney U-test. A sample size of 5,000 patients in each group had 99% power to detect a 1-hour difference in ED LOS. RESULTS: There were 5,631 ED visits before and 5,635 visits after implementing the Stat lab. Groups were similar in age (34 years vs. 36 years) and gender (51% males in both). The percentages of patients with laboratory tests before and after Stat lab implementation were 68.7 and 71.3%, respectively. Test TATs for admitted patients were significantly improved after the Stat lab introduction. Implementation of the Stat lab was associated with a significant reduction in the median ED LOS from 466 (interquartile range [IQR] = minutes before to 402 (IQR = 296-553) minutes after implementing the Stat lab. The effects of the Stat lab on ED LOS were less marked for discharged patients. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of a Stat lab dedicated to the ED within the central laboratory was associated with shorter laboratory TATs and shorter ED LOS for admitted patients, by approximately 1 hour.

Trauma triage: New York experience.

New York State developed a statewide trauma program in the early 1990s. Designation of trauma centers and prehospital triage of patients by emergency medical services are pillars of the system. Outcomes are evaluated as part of the quality improvement system. New York has a statewide trauma registry with population-based data for all of the state but New York City. Studies made possible because of the trauma registry provided evidence to guide revision of the emergency medical services trauma triage protocol for adult patients. For example, pulse < 50 or > 120 beats/min was retained as a physiologic criteria, while crumple zone and crash speed were eliminated as mechanism criteria. Patients with certain physiologic criteria treated in regional centers showed a considerably reduced mortality rate when compared with patients treated in area trauma centers and noncenters. Other "high-risk" populations were identified for special consideration by emergency medical technicians for trauma center transport because of their associated higher mortality. One "high-risk" group, patients older than 55 years or younger than 5 years, has associated 11% mortality (compare with a statewide average of 7.43%) and represents 41% of all registry patients. Population-based trauma registries and structured prehospital trauma records that accurately record the presence or absence of trauma criteria are essential to evaluate trauma triage criteria; improve quality, efficiency, and access; and guide care.

How well are cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator skills retained over time? Results from the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Trial.

BACKGROUND: The current standard for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) retraining for laypersons is a four-hour course every two years. Others have documented substantial skill deterioration during this time period. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate 1) the retention of core CPR and AED skills among volunteer laypersons and 2) the time required to retrain laypersons to proficiency as a function of time since initial training. METHODS: This was an observational follow-up study evaluating CPR and AED skill retention and testing/retraining time up through 17 months after initial training. The study took place at 1,260 facilities recruited by 24 North American clinical research centers, and included 6,182 volunteer laypersons participating in the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Trial. Training to proficiency in either CPR only (N = 2,426) or CPR+AED (N = 3,756) was followed by testing/retraining provided three to 17 months later. Retraining was done in brief, one-on-one, individualized, interactive sessions. The outcome studied was instructors' global assessments of performance of CPR and AED skill adequacy, i.e., whether CPR actions would likely result in perfusion (yes/no) and whether AED actions would result in a shock through the heart (yes/no). RESULTS: For global CPR performance, 79%, 73%, and 71% of volunteers tested for the first time since initial training three to five, six to 11, and 12 to 17 months after initial training, respectively, were judged by their instructors as having adequate performance (p < 0.001, chi-square for linear trend). For global AED performance, 91%, 86%, and 84% of volunteers, respectively, were judged as having adequate performance (p < 0.001). The mean (+/- standard deviation) times required to test and retrain volunteers to proficiency were 5.7 (+/- 4.0) minutes for CPR skills and 7.7 (+/- 4.6) minutes for CPR+AED skills. CONCLUSIONS: Among PAD Trial volunteer laypersons participating in a simulated resuscitation, the proportions of volunteers judged by instructors to have adequate CPR and AED skills demonstrated small declines associated with longer intervals between initial training and subsequent testing. However, based on instructors' judgment, large majorities of volunteers still retained both CPR and AED core skills through 17 months after initial training. Furthermore, individual testing and retraining for CPR and AED skills were usually accomplished in less than 10 minutes per volunteer. Additional research is essential to identify training and evaluation techniques that predict adequate CPR and AED skill performance of laypersons when applied to an actual cardiac arrest.

Self-inflicted injuries in adolescents presenting to a suburban emergency department.

Emergency department medical records of adolescents presenting with a traumatic injury were screened daily by a designated follow up nurse for the presence of a precipitating historical event (such as an argument or a fight) in which anger or an uncontrolled temper resulted in self inflicted injury during 1998. The authors of this study conclude that anger or uncontrolled temper are responsible for a significant number of injuries in adolescents presenting to the ED. Measures to help adolescents control such reactions are warranted.