Self-learning methodology in simulated environments (MAES©) utilized in hospital settings. Action-research in an Emergency Department in the United Kingdom.

INTRODUCTION: This article describes the impact of a simulation-based learning method on emergency nurses at the Royal Devon Hospital (Exeter, United Kingdom). OBJECTIVES: To determine the training needs of nurses who were recently hired, as well as to evaluate the perception on the acquisition of emergency nurse competencies after the educational intervention. METHOD: The study was composed of 3 phases. FIRST PHASE: The training needs were analysed from the point of view of the participants (through a focus group), and the institution (by consulting experts through an online questionnaire). SECOND PHASE: Various simulations were implemented and designed by the participants themselves according to their needs, using the Self-Learning Methodology in Simulated Environments (MAES©). THIRD PHASE: The results of the education program were evaluated. RESULTS: Many categories were obtained that served to determine the training needs of the participants, and to design various self-directed simulation scenarios. Three simulation scenarios were performed and afterwards discussed. CONCLUSION: The experience was positively evaluated by the participants. The participants believed that the MAES© method was adequate, given that at all times, they were the protagonists of their own learning according to their training needs, and considering their previous knowledge.

The Use of Tranexamic Acid to Reduce the Need for Nasal Packing in Epistaxis (NoPAC): Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Epistaxis is a common emergency department (ED) presentation and, if simple first aid measures fail, can lead to a need for anterior nasal packing. Tranexamic acid is an agent that contributes to blood clot stability. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of topical intranasal tranexamic acid in adult patients presenting to the ED with persistent epistaxis, and whether it reduces the need for anterior nasal packing. METHODS: From May 5, 2017, to March 31, 2019, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, 1:1, randomized controlled trial was conducted across 26 EDs in the United Kingdom. Participants with spontaneous epistaxis, persisting after simple first aid and the application of a topical vasoconstrictor, were randomly allocated to receive topical tranexamic acid or placebo. The primary outcome was the need for anterior nasal packing of any kind during the index ED attendance. Secondary outcome measures included hospital admission, need for blood transfusion, recurrent epistaxis, and any thrombotic events requiring any hospital reattendance within 1 week. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 496 participants with spontaneous epistaxis, persisting after simple first aid and application of a topical vasoconstrictor. In total, 211 participants (42.5%) received anterior nasal packing during the index ED attendance, including 111 of 254 (43.7%) in the tranexamic acid group versus 100 of 242 (41.3%) in the placebo group. The difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio 1.107; 95% confidence interval 0.769 to 1.594; P=.59). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences between tranexamic acid and placebo for any of the secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSION: In patients presenting to an ED with atraumatic epistaxis that is uncontrolled with simple first aid measures, topical tranexamic acid applied in the bleeding nostril on a cotton wool dental roll is no more effective than placebo at controlling bleeding and reducing the need for anterior nasal packing.

Limit of detection of troponin discharge strategy versus usual care: randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical effectiveness of a 'rule-out' acute coronary syndrome (ACS) strategy for emergency department patients with chest pain, incorporating a single undetectable high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) taken at presentation, together with a non-ischaemic ECG, remains unknown. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial, across eight hospitals in the UK, aimed to establish the clinical effectiveness of an undetectable hs-cTn and ECG (limit of detection and ECG discharge (LoDED)) discharge strategy. Eligible adult patients presented with chest pain; the treating clinician intended to perform investigations to rule out an ACS; the initial ECG was non-ischaemic; and peak symptoms occurred <6 hours previously. Participants were randomised 1:1 to either the LoDED strategy or the usual rule-out strategy. The primary outcome was discharge from the hospital within 4 hours of arrival, without a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) within 30 days. RESULTS: Between June 2018 and March 2019, 632 patients were randomised; 3 were later withdrawn. Of 629 patients (age 53.8 (SD 16.1) years, 41% women), 7% had a MACE within 30 days. For the LoDED strategy, 141 of 309 (46%) patients were discharged within 4 hours, without MACE within 30 days, and for usual care, 114 of 311 (37%); pooled adjusted OR 1.58 (95% CI 0.84 to 2.98). No patient with an initial undetectable hs-cTn had a MACE within 30 days. CONCLUSION: The LoDED strategy facilitates safe early discharge in >40% of patients with chest pain. Clinical effectiveness is variable when compared with existing rule-out strategies and influenced by wider system factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN86184521.

Novel use of tranexamic acid to reduce the need for Nasal Packing in Epistaxis (NoPac) randomised controlled trial: research protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) with epistaxis uncontrolled by subsequent simple first aid measures or application of topical vasoconstrictors will typically undergo anterior nasal packing. Packing is effective, but can be extremely painful and unpleasant and patients usually need hospital admission. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a cheap, safe, readily available antifibrinolytic agent known to be beneficial in a variety of clinical settings where uncontrolled bleeding may be a problem. Anecdotal evidence suggests that topical TXA may be of value in persistent epistaxis; however, further evaluation is required. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, double-blind, parallel group, randomised, controlled trial comparing the use of topical intranasal TXA with indistinguishable placebo in adults presenting to UK EDs with persistent atraumatic epistaxis. Follow-up is at 1 week by structured telephone review. The primary outcome measure is the subsequent need for anterior nasal packing in the ED. Key secondary outcomes include the need for hospital admission, blood transfusion and/or further treatment for epistaxis during the index ED attendance. Recruiting 450 patients will provide 90% power to demonstrate an absolute reduction in packing rate from 95% to 85%. An improvement of this magnitude would be of significant benefit to patients and healthcare providers and justify a change to standard practice. Given the low cost of TXA and its short administration time, a full economic evaluation is not being undertaken. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the South West-Bristol Research Ethics Committee (reference 17/SW/0010). We aim to publish the findings in a high impact, international peer-reviewed journal. Results will also be shared with the Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia foundation and telangiectasia UK for dissemination through appropriate related forums. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN34153772 and EudraCT No: 2016-001530-10.

Randomised controlled trial of the Limit of Detection of Troponin and ECG Discharge (LoDED) strategy versus usual care in adult patients with chest pain attending the emergency department: study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Observational data suggest a single high-sensitivity troponin blood test taken at emergency department (ED) presentation could be used to rule out major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in 10%-60% of ED patients with chest pain. This is done using an 'undetectable' cut-off (the Limit of Detection: LoD). We combined the LoD cut-off with ECG findings to create the LoDED strategy. We aim to establish whether the LoDED strategy works under real-life conditions, when compared with existing strategies, in a way that is cost-effective and acceptable to patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a parallel-group pragmatic randomised controlled trial across UK EDs. Adults presenting to ED with suspected cardiac chest pain will be randomised 1:1. Existing rule-out strategies in current use across study centres, using serial high-sensitivity troponin testing, will be compared with the LoDED strategy. The primary outcome is successful early discharge (discharge from hospital within 4 hours of arrival) without MACE occurring within 30 days. Secondary outcomes include initial length of hospital stay; comparative costs; patient satisfaction and acceptability to patients. To detect a 9% difference between the early discharge rates (assuming an 8% rate in the standard care group) with 90% power, 594 patients need to be recruited, assuming a 95% follow-up rate. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Frenchay Research Ethics Committee (reference 18/SW/0038). Results will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal. Lay summaries will be made available to patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN86184521; Pre-results.

Tranexamic acid in major trauma: implementation and evaluation across South West England.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a prospective evaluation of tranexamic acid (TXA) use in trauma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TXA was introduced to all emergency ambulances and emergency departments in the South West, UK, on 1 December 2011. We carried out a prospective evaluation of TXA use in trauma patients in the South West Peninsula between December 2011 and December 2012. We collected prehospital and hospital data on TXA administration using the Trauma Audit Research Network database. Data on prehospital administration of TXA were cross-checked with the South Western Ambulance Service Trust. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 20). RESULTS: Altogether, 82 patients were administered TXA during the study period. The median age of the patients was 49 years (IQR 30, 66), and 72% were men. One-third of the patients arrived at hospital by air ambulance. During the first 3 months, administration of TXA was limited to one patient each month receiving the drug. However, an upward trend was observed after June until October 2012, with the increment being more than 10 fold in July, September and October 2012. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the use of TXA in civilian practice in the UK. Our study shows that ambulance service personnel and emergency departments can effectively administer TXA.

Postural modification to the standard Valsalva manoeuvre for emergency treatment of supraventricular tachycardias (REVERT): a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The Valsalva manoeuvre is an internationally recommended treatment for supraventricular tachycardia, but cardioversion is rare in practice (5-20%), necessitating the use of other treatments including adenosine, which patients often find unpleasant. We assessed whether a postural modification to the Valsalva manoeuvre could improve its effectiveness. METHODS: We did a randomised controlled, parallel-group trial at emergency departments in England. We randomly allocated adults presenting with supraventricular tachycardia (excluding atrial fibrillation and flutter) in a 1:1 ratio to undergo a modified Valsalva manoeuvre (done semi-recumbent with supine repositioning and passive leg raise immediately after the Valsalva strain), or a standard semi-recumbent Valsalva manoeuvre. A 40 mm Hg pressure, 15 s standardised strain was used in both groups. Randomisation, stratified by centre, was done centrally and independently, with allocation with serially numbered, opaque, sealed, tamper-evident envelopes. Patients and treating clinicians were not masked to allocation. The primary outcome was return to sinus rhythm at 1 min after intervention, determined by the treating clinician and electrocardiogram and confirmed by an investigator masked to treatment allocation. This study is registered with Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN67937027). FINDINGS: We enrolled 433 participants between Jan 11, 2013, and Dec 29, 2014. Excluding second attendance by five participants, 214 participants in each group were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. 37 (17%) of 214 participants assigned to standard Valsalva manoeuvre achieved sinus rhythm compared with 93 (43%) of 214 in the modified Valsalva manoeuvre group (adjusted odds ratio 3·7 (95% CI 2·3-5·8; p<0·0001). We recorded no serious adverse events. INTERPRETATION: In patients with supraventricular tachycardia, a modified Valsalva manoeuvre with leg elevation and supine positioning at the end of the strain should be considered as a routine first treatment, and can be taught to patients. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research.

Modified Valsalva manoeuvre to treat recurrent supraventricular tachycardia: description of the technique and its successful use in a patient with a previous near fatal complication of DC cardioversion.

Patients with attacks of re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) frequently present to the emergency department (ED). The Valsalva manoeuvre (VM) is the most effective and safe vagal manoeuvre and advocated as the first-line treatment in stable patients but has a relatively low cardioversion success rate. Improving its efficacy would reduce patients' exposure to the side effects and complications of second-line treatments and has other potential benefits. We describe a modification to the VM, which is currently being studied, and present the case of a 23-year-old patient who was successfully treated with this modified VM after a previous near-fatal complication of direct current (DC) cardioversion.

Best evidence topic reports. BET 3: Topical intranasal tranexamic acid for spontaneous epistaxis.

A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether topical tranexamic acid can be used to treat spontaneous epistaxis. Thirty-three papers were found, of which two presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of topical intranasal tranexamic acid in the management of spontaneous epistaxis in haemodynamically stable patients presenting to the emergency department.

Randomised Evaluation of modified Valsalva Effectiveness in Re-entrant Tachycardias (REVERT) study.

INTRODUCTION: The Valsalva manoeuvre (VM) is a recommended first-line physical treatment for patients with re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), but is often ineffective in standard practice. A failed VM is typically followed by treatment with intravenous adenosine, which patients often find unpleasant. VM effectiveness might be improved by a modification to posture which exaggerates the manoeuvre's vagal response and reduces the need for further emergency treatment. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial in 10 UK emergency departments (EDs). It compares a standard VM with a modified VM incorporating leg elevation and a supine posture after a standardised strain in stable adult patients presenting to the ED with SVT. The primary outcome measure is return to sinus rhythm on a 12-lead ECG. Secondary outcome measures include the need for treatment with adenosine or other antiarrhythmic treatments and the time patients spend in the ED. We plan to recruit approximately 372 patients, with 80% power to demonstrate an absolute improvement in cardioversion rate of 12%. An improvement of this magnitude through the use of a modified VM would be of significant benefit to patients and healthcare providers, and justify a change to standard practice. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the South West-Exeter Research Ethics Committee (REC reference 12/SW/0281). The trial will be published in an international peer reviewed journal. Study findings will be sent to the European and International resuscitation councils to inform future revisions of arrhythmia management guidelines. RESULTS: The trial will also be disseminated at international conferences and to patients through the Arrhythmia Alliance, a patient support charity. REGISTRATION: The study is registered with Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN67937027) and has been adopted by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network.

LP or not LP, that is the question: gold standard or unnecessary procedure in subarachnoid haemorrhage?

OBJECTIVE: To measure the sensitivity of modern CT in patients presenting to the emergency department and evaluated for possible subarachnoid haemorrhage, with particular attention to those presenting within 12 h of ictus. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Large district general hospital emergency department seeing 73,500 new attendances per year. PARTICIPANTS: Patients presenting to the emergency department and screened for suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage. OUTCOME MEASURES: Subarachnoid haemorrhage was defined by either the presence of subarachnoid blood on CT, positive CSF spectrophotometry defined by national guidelines or aneurysm identified on subsequent angiography if either of the former were equivocal. RESULTS: 244 patients were screened for subarachnoid haemorrhage during the 24 months between March 2006 and April 2008 (mean age 48.5 years). The sensitivity of CT overall for subarachnoid haemorrhage was 93.8% (95% CI 84% to 98%) increasing to 95% (95% CI 82% to 99%) if performed within 12 h of ictus. CONCLUSIONS: While modern CT has a high sensitivity for the diagnosis of acute subarachnoid haemorrhage, particularly within 12 h of ictus, it is still not sufficient to act as the sole diagnostic tool, and patients with a negative CT will require further investigation with a lumbar puncture.

Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) in the emergency department: predicting and pre-empting persistent symptoms following a mild traumatic brain injury.

Head injuries across all age groups represent an extremely common emergency department (ED) presentation. The main focus of initial assessment and management rightly concentrates on the need to exclude significant pathology, that may or may not require neurosurgical intervention. Relatively little focus, however, is given to the potential for development of post-concussion syndrome (PCS), a constellation of symptoms of varying severity, which may bear little correlation to the nature or magnitude of the precipitating insult. This review aims to clarify the aetiology and terminology surrounding PCS and to examine the mechanisms for diagnosing and treating.