midazolam

Journal Club Summary

Methodology Score: 3/5                
Usefulness Score: 2/5
 
Chan EW, Taylor DM, Knott JC, Phillips GA, Castle DJ, Kong DC.
Ann Emerg Med. 2013 Jan;61(1):72-81
 
 
This randomized, double-blind, double dummy study comparing olanzepine plus midazolam or droperidol plus midazolam suggested these combinations were more effective than midazolam alone for sedation of the acutely agitated patient.  The group felt that the results of the trial could not be applied to our patient population because of the lack of assessment of the level of agitation of the patients enrolled and the lack of a validated sedation score. 
By: Dr. Erin O’Connor
(Presented October 2013) 
 

Epi lesson: Validity of Measurement Tools 

In epidemiology, the concept of validity of a measurement tool is an important one. In order for a tool to be considered valid, it must meet the following 3 conditions: 1) face validity (expert review for appropriateness); 2) content validity (extent to which the tool measures relevant and representative facets of the given concept to be measured) and 3) construct validity (high degree of overlap between the tool and existing tools that measure the same concept).  The critical reader is wary of articles which state that a validated tool was used without the references or description of process to back it up. 
By: Dr. Lisa Calder

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