Emerg. Care Med., Volume 2, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 8 articles

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of existing and new aerosol mitigation methods during nebulization (Neb) in combination with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen supplementation and non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Methods: We recorded fugitive aerosol particle concentrations over time and assessed the peak (P) and area (A) efficacy of active and passive mitigation methods, comparing them to a no-mitigation condition. Peak efficacy was measured by the reduction in maximum aerosol concentration, while area efficacy was quantified by the reduction of the area under the aerosol concentration–time curve. Results: For HFNC with Neb, we found that active mitigation using a mask with a biofilter and a fan (referred to as the aerosol barrier mask) significantly outperformed passive mitigation with a face mask. The peak and area efficacy for aerosol reduction were 99.0% and 96.4% for active mitigation and 35.9% and 7.6% for passive mitigation, respectively. For NIV with Neb, the active mitigation method, using a box with a biofilter and fan, also outperformed passive mitigation using only the box. The peak and area efficacy for aerosol reduction were 92.1% and 85.5% for active mitigation and 53.7.0% and 25.4% for passive mitigation, respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that active mitigation set up systems advantageous for effective reduction of airborne aerosols during aerosol generated procedures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health concern, affecting over 60 million people annually. It is associated with high rates of mortality and disability, particularly among young and economically active individuals, and remains the leading cause of death in people under 40 years of age. Although computed tomography (CT) is the standard method for excluding intracranial bleeding (ICB), it is frequently unavailable in resource-limited settings where the burden of TBI is greatest. The InfraScanner 2000 is a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device designed to detect ICB and may serve as a triage tool in environments without access to CT imaging. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the InfraScanner 2000 for detecting ICB in the emergency department (ED) of a trauma center in a cohort of Colombian patients with TBI. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Cali, Colombia, between December 2019 and February 2021. Adult patients presenting to the ED with blunt TBI were enrolled. InfraScanner assessments were performed according to a standardized protocol, and all participants underwent head CT within 6 h of injury. Results: A total of 140 patients were included. Of these, 66% were male and 34% were female. Most patients (63.57%) were between 18 and 39 years old, with a median age of 39 years (IQR: 18–86). The InfraScanner demonstrated a sensitivity of 60.0% (95% CI: 32.5–84.8), specificity of 78.4% (95% CI: 71.2–85.6), positive predictive value (PPV) of 25.0%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.2% for detecting ICB. Conclusions: The InfraScanner 2000 showed good specificity and high NPV in identifying ICB among Colombian patients with TBI. These findings suggest it could serve as a useful triage tool to support decision-making in emergency settings with limited access to CT imaging. Full article

Background: Several studies have suggested that laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for the treatment of diverticulitis might be associated with an increased event rate. The WSES (World Society of Emergency Surgery) guidelines recommend performing laparoscopic peritoneal lavage only in highly selected patients; however, selection criteria remain poorly described. This study, based on a single-center retrospective cohort of patients presenting with acute diverticulitis and undergoing surgery, aimed to assess the complication and long-term outcomes of the lavage group and to report our experience with the treatment of acute diverticulitis. Methods: Operative management of acute sigmoid diverticulitis was involved, in particular, laparoscopic peritoneal lavage, primary resection, and the Hartmann procedure. Results: Six-month follow-ups showed the occurrence of Clavien–Dindo complications in ≥2 in 21.9% of patients in the sigmoidectomy group versus 61.1% of patients in the lavage group (p = 0.0028). Among the 11 patients with complications after laparoscopic lavage, 9 required a second surgery. After a comparison between the patients with complications and those without who were managed with laparoscopic lavage, descriptive differences were found regarding the BMI (95% CI, 21.7–24.3 vs. 95% CI, 24.7–31.3, p = 0.0419). In analysis, a BMI of ≥27 kg/m² (OR, 16 p = 0.049) was associated with short- and long-term complications in the lavage group. There was no evidence for an association between complications and a BMI of ≥27 kg/m² in the primary resection (OR, 1.61 p = 1) or the Hartmann procedure group (OR, 4.25 p = 0.1438). Perforated colonic diverticulitis treated with laparoscopic peritoneal lavage was associated with a high morbidity rate. Conclusions: The choice of surgical strategy for acute diverticular pathology is complex, influenced by various conditions. BMI could be a prognostic factor for long-term outcomes, including recurrent diverticulitis and the occurrence of abscesses. Full article

Background/Objectives: A 2-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with vomiting and abdominal discomfort following ingestion of multiple magnets from a sibling’s bracelet. This case highlights the risks associated with magnet ingestion and the need for coordinated multidisciplinary care and public health intervention. Methods: Radiographs revealed magnets in the oropharynx, stomach, and small bowel. Emergency physicians coordinated care with otolaryngology, gastroenterology, and general surgery. Results: Laryngoscopy successfully removed two magnets from the uvula, and endoscopy retrieved 30 magnets from the stomach. General surgery performed a diagnostic laparoscopy, identifying residual magnets in the colon. Gastroenterology attempted a colonoscopy but was unable to retrieve magnets due to formed stool, leading to bowel preparation and serial imaging. The patient eventually passed 12 magnets per rectum without surgical intervention. Conclusions: This case emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in managing magnet ingestion, a preventable cause of serious gastrointestinal injury. Recent studies highlight the increasing incidence and severity of such cases due to accessibility and inadequate regulation. These findings underscore the need for public awareness and adherence to management protocols to mitigate morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: The goal of educators is to leave no learner behind. Ultrasounds require dexterity and 3D image interpretation. They are technologically complex, and current medical residency programs lack a reliable means of assessing this ability among their trainees. This prompts consideration as to whether background characteristics or certain pre-existing skills can serve as indicators of learning aptitude for ultrasounds. The objective of this study was to determine whether these characteristics and skills are indicative of learning aptitude for ultrasounds. Methods: This prospective study was conducted with third-year medical students rotating in emergency medicine at the New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA. First, students were given a pre-test survey to assess their background characteristics. Subsequently, a psychomotor task (Purdue Pegboard) and visual–spatial task (Revised Purdue Spatial Visualization Tests) were administered to the students. Lastly, an ultrasound task was given to identify the subxiphoid cardiac view. A rubric assessed ability, and proficiency was determined as a 75% or higher score in the ultrasound task. Results: In total, 97 students were tested. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to ascertain if any background characteristics from the pre-test survey was associated with the ultrasound task score. The student’s use of cadavers to learn anatomy had the most correlation (p-value of 0.02). Assessing the psychomotor and visual–spatial tasks, linear regressions were used against the ultrasound task scores. Correspondingly, the p-values were 0.007 and 0.008. Conclusions: Ultrasound ability is based on hand–eye coordination and spatial relationships. Increased aptitude in these abilities may forecast future success in this skill. Those who may need more assistance can have their training tailored to them and further support offered. Full article

Background: Hip fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly, and the incidence is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. One of the key challenges in managing hip fracture patients is perioperative blood loss, which often necessitates allogeneic blood transfusion. Tranexamic acid (TXA), a synthetic antifibrinolytic agent, has been shown to reduce blood loss in various surgical settings, including elective orthopaedics. However, unlike elective surgery where bleeding begins intraoperatively, bleeding in hip fracture patients starts at the time of injury. This scoping review aimed to evaluate the existing literature on the use of early TXA administration, specifically at the point of admission, in patients with hip fractures. Methods: A comprehensive search of EMBASE and PubMed was conducted up to March 2025, and eight studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria, including three randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Six of these studies compared patients receiving TXA on admission to controls who received no TXA, involving a total of 840 patients. Most studies focused on extracapsular fractures in elderly, predominantly female patients. Results: Findings were mixed: four of the six studies found no statistically significant differences in haemoglobin levels or transfusion rates, while two RCTs demonstrated significantly reduced transfusion needs in the TXA group. Trends across studies suggested reduced blood loss and transfusion risk with TXA administered on admission. Importantly, no increase in complications, including venous thromboembolism, were observed. Conclusion: Early TXA administration in hip fracture patients appeared to be safe and may reduce transfusion requirements. Further high-quality research is warranted to determine the optimal timing and dosing strategy for TXA in this setting and to confirm the efficacy in reducing perioperative blood loss and transfusion risk. Full article