Measuring Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter with Bedside Ocular Ultrasonography in Patients with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and clinical and carboxyhemoglobin levels in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 55 consecutive adult patients with carbon monoxide poisoning. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and the diameters of the optic nerve sheaths of both eyes of those patients at the time of admission and at the 6th hour after receiving 100% oxygen therapy and/or hyperbaric oxygen therapy were determined. The ages, genders, arterial blood pressure values, symptoms, carboxyhemoglobin levels, and bilateral ONSD values (measured sonographically before and after the oxygen therapy) of the patients were recorded in a data collection form. RESULTS: Measurements of ONSD before and after treatment were observed significantly (P = .01). Significant decreases were observed in ONSDs after treatment (P < .05). However, no significant difference was observed between ONSDs at the time of admission and after the treatment of patients receiving 2-hour single-session hyperbaric oxygen therapy and 100% oxygen therapy with a reservoir mask (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The changing of ONSD, which is an indirect indicator of increased intracranial pressure, is a promising method to use at emergency service for patients with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder among relief force workers after the tsunami in Asia: do rescuers become victims?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the participants of the Turkish Red Crescent Disaster Relief Team after the Tsunami in Asia. METHODS: The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-1 (CAPS-1) was administered to 33 of 36 team members one month after their Disaster Relief Team duty. Along with the CAPS-1 interview, demographic features, profession, previous professional experience, previous experience with traumatic events and disasters also were recorded. To be classified as present, a symptom must have a frequency score of "1" and an intensity score of "2" at the CAPS-1 interview. For a diagnosis of PTSD, at least one re-experiencing, three avoidance and numbing, and two increased arousal symptoms should be present. RESULTS: The PTSD was diagnosed in eight of the 33 (24.2%) participants. No significant difference was detected in the distribution of PTSD diagnosis according to gender, age, profession, professional experience, previous disaster experience, and/or previous experience of traumatic events. However, the severity of PTSD symptoms as measured by the CAPS-1 score was significantly higher in women, nurses, and participants with <3 previous disaster duty experiences. CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic stress disorder is prevalent within disaster teams and healthcare workers, and measures should be taken to prevent PTSD within this group.

Intramuscular tramadol vs. diclofenac sodium for the treatment of acute migraine attacks in emergency department: a prospective, randomised, double-blind study.

The aim of this prospective, randomised, double-blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of intramuscular (IM) tramadol 100 mg in emergency department treatment of acute migraine attack and to compare it with that of IM diclofenac sodium 75 mg. Forty patients who were admitted to our emergency department with acute migraine attack according to the International Headache Society criteria were included in the study. Patients were randomised to receive either tramadol 100 mg (n=20) or diclofenac sodium 75 mg (n=20) intramuscularly. Patients rated their pain on a four-point verbal scale (0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe) at the beginning of the trial and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. At each time interval, severity of associated symptoms were also questioned and recorded. Global evaluation of the drugs by patients and doctors were also recorded. Patients were also asked if they would prefer the same injection in future visits. Any adverse events, whether related to the drug or not, were also recorded. Patients were followed up by telephone 48 h later to check for any headache recurrence. Two-hour pain response rate, which was the primary endpoint, was 80% for both tramadol and diclofenac groups. There were no statistically significant differences among groups in terms of 48-h pain response, rescue treatment, associated symptoms' response, headache recurrence and adverse event rates. Fifteen (75%) patients in the tramadol group and 16 (80%) patients in the diclofenac group stated that they may prefer the same agent for future admissions. In selected patients, tramadol 100 mg IM may be an effective and reliable alternative treatment choice in acute migraine attacks.

Compliance with protocols in transferring emergency patients to a tertiary care centre.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We evaluated compliance with standard patient transfer protocols in a pre- and post-interventional study among patients transferred from other hospitals to our tertiary care university hospital. METHODS: In the first phase, transfer information was recorded on the arrival in 174 consecutive patients transferred to our emergency department (ED) over a 2-month period in 1999. Emergency caregivers throughout the province then received education about proper transfer procedures. This training was provided through monthly citywide co-ordination and co-operation meetings among the physicians of the emergency medical services (EMS) and the emergency departments of the hospitals in the city and the nearby counties. Fifteen months after the beginning of these educational efforts, the second observational phase was implemented. Over a period of 2 months in early 2001, information was recorded from 180 consecutive patients transferred to our ED. Presence of patient medical records, laboratory results, and X-rays; clearly delineated reason for transfer; prior notification of transfer; and appropriate care during transport from the initial facility were the parameters compared in the pre- and post-intervention periods. RESULTS: Patients in phase-II were found to have had more appropriate care in some respects, such as presence of cervical collar and proper airway management, during transport from the initial facility than patients in phase-I (P < 0.05). However, other parameters were not significantly different between the two phases. CONCLUSION: We have concluded that our monthly meetings and conferences have made a positive impact on compliance with some of the standard transfer protocols. We must however, continue our efforts to increase compliance with other aspects of standard patient transfer guidelines.