Simulation study on quality of CPR between manual chest compression and mechanical chest compression devices performed in ambulance

@#Background: Maintaining good quality CPR while transporting out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients is very challenging. We aim to determine how different ambulance speed can affect the quality of chest compression performed either manually or mechanically. Methods: This was an observational manikin-based study. A total of 96 participants as well as two types of mechanical compression devices: Lucas-2 and AutoPulse, performed one minute of continuous chest compression on BT-CPEA programmed manikin while the ambulance travelled at different speeds, i.e., idle state, 30km/hr and 60km/hr. Seven outcome variables of chest compression were measured. Performance data of different groups of compressor were compared and analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: In manual chest compression, significant variation were noted among different speeds in term of average compression rate (p<0.001), average compression depth (p=0.007), fraction of adequate/insufficient compression depth and fraction of normal hands positioning with p=0.018, 0.022 and 0.034 respectively. Overall, AutoPulse and Lucas-2 were not affected by ambulance speed. Lucas2 showed more consistent average compression rate, higher fraction of adequate compression depth and reduced fraction of insufficient compression depth as compared to manual compression with p<0.001, 0.001 and 0.043 respectively. Conclusion: In this study we found that ambulance speed significantly affected certain aspects of manual chest compression most notably compression depth, rate and hand positioning. AutoPulse and Lucas-2 can improve these aspects by providing more consistent compression rate, depth and fraction of adequate compression depth during transport.

The Record-Setting Flood of 2014 in Kelantan: Challenges and Recommendations from an Emergency Medicine Perspective and Why the Medical Campus Stood Dry

Floods are considered an annual natural disaster in Kelantan. However, the record-setting flood of 2014 was a ‘tsunami-like disaster’. Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia was the only fully functioning hospital in the state and had to receive and manage cases from the hospitals and clinics throughout Kelantan. The experiences, challenges, and recommendations resulting from this disaster are highlighted from an emergency medicine perspective so that future disaster preparedness is truly a preparation. The history of how the health campus was constructed with the collaboration of Perunding Alam Bina and Perkins and Willis of Chicago is elaborated.

The Use of Dental Drill in Removing Entrapped Finger by Metal Ring in Emergency Department

Ring removal is indicated in a number of clinical circumstances to manage or prevent tourniquet effect of the digit. A ring made from hardened metal may defy commonly known methods of removal. We reported a case of unusual difficulty in removing a ring of hardened metal composition using a dental drill. We believed the unusual circumstances of this case is likely to be repeated in some other clinical practice and this instrument is an appropriate option to consider in such cases.

Post-impact disaster surveillance - A medical reconnaissance team at tsunami-struck Sri Lanka

Emergency Medicine and Disaster Medicine are two specialties which are similar in the multidisciplinary involvement during the acute phase of the disaster. Recently, there was an increase in the number of disasters in the world but not many physicians are familiar with the principles for dealing with such situations, the unique organizational demands, coordination and the urgent need for medical assistance and relief. This case report delineates our experiences at a tsunami disaster area and the approach to setting up a medical relief team in the affected area. A medical reconnaissance team comprising of an emergency doctor from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (H.U.S.M) and two MERCY Malaysia members was assembled. The team flew to Colombo on day 5 after the tsunami with medical supplies and related materials. The mission started from December 31st 2004 until January 8th 2005. Our surveillance area covered the Southern and Eastern Province with a total distance of 1700 km along the coast. The strategies employed during this medical reconnaissance included risk analysis, devising a resources matrix, developing lines of communication and rapport with other relief teams, Sri Lankan government agencies, and local and international non-government organizations. As a result, our team was able to set up a medical relief camp and distribute the relief items to the tsunami victims. In conclusion, the Disaster Emergency Medical Assistant Team (DEMAT) from H.U.S.M and MERCY Malaysia were able to set up and provide medical relief with our limited resources to a large scale disaster situation.