Methodology: 2.5/5 Usefulness: 3/5 Daley JI, et al. Acad Emerg Med 26 (11), 1211-1220 Nov 2019 Questions and methods: In patients with abnormal vital signs, what is the sensitivity of FOCUS for the diagnosis of PE? Prospective, multicenter, observational study. Findings: 136 patients with pendingRead More →
Methodology: 3/5 Usefulness: 2.5/5 Gaydos CA et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2019 Jul;74(1):36-44. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.09.012. Epub 2018 Nov 2. Question and Methods: RCT of women receiving pelvic testing for CT/NG comparing standard of care test (NAAT) vs. POC test (GeneXpert). Treatment was at the discretion ofRead More →
Methodology: 3/5 Usefulness: 3/5 Twerenbold R, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Jul 30;74(4):483-494. Editorial: Evaluating Suspected Acute MI in the Emergency Department: What Is and What Should Never Be. Question and Methods: Prospective international study of the impact on management and patient safety using theRead More →
Methodology: 3/5 Usefulness: 3/5 Butler CC, et al. Lancet. 2020 Jan 4;395(10217):42-52. Editorial: Neuraminidase inhibitors for influenza-like illness in primary care. Question and Methods: This was a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of 3266 patients, where patients were randomised to either usual care or usual care with oseltamivir. Findings: Symptom durationRead More →
Methodology: 2/5 Usefulness: 3/5 Brown SGA, et al. N Engl J Med. 2020 Jan 30;382(5):405-415. Question and Methods: Is conservative/observational treatment of moderate-large spontaneous pneumothorax non-inferior to chest tube insertion? Multicentre RCT at 39 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Findings: Total of 316 patients. Re-expansion <8 weeks occurred inRead More →
Methodology: 3/5 Usefulness: 2.5/5 Butler CC, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019 Jul 11;381(2):111-120 Editorial: COPD Exacerbations – A Target for Antibiotic Stewardship. Question and Methods: This was a multicenter RCT to determine if POCT CRP testing vs usual care may help safely reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics. Findings: Antibiotics wereRead More →
Methodology Score: 4/5 Usefulness Score: 4/5 Schüpke S, et al N Engl J Med. 2019 Oct 17;381(16):1524-1534. Editorial: Ticagrelor or Prasugrel in Acute Coronary Syndromes – The Winner Takes It All? Question and Methods: This open-label multicenter trial was the first head-to-head trial examining Ticagrelor vs Prasugrel as part ofRead More →
Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 3/5 Fujii T, et al. JAMA. 2020 Jan 17. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.22176. [Epub ahead of print] Editorial: Lack of Benefit of High-Dose Vitamin C, Thiamine, and Hydrocortisone Combination for Patients With Sepsis. Question and Methods: International, multicenter, open-label RCT to determine whether HAT (hydrocortisone, ascorbate, thiamine) compared withRead More →
Methodology: 5/5 Usefulness: 3.5/5 Voskoboinik A, et al. N Engl J Med. 2020 Jan 2;382(1):20-28. Editorial: A Sober Reality? Alcohol, Abstinence, and Atrial Fibrillation. Question/Methods: Among adults who consume ≥10 drinks/week with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation successfully converted to sinus rhythm, investigators conducted a multicentre RCT of controlRead More →
Methodology Score: 4/5 Usefulness Score: 3.5/5 Kapur J et al. N Engl J Med. 2019 Nov 28;381(22):2103-2113. Question and Methods: A multicenter, randomized, blinded, comparative-effectiveness trial to determine the efficacy and safety of fosphenytoin, valproic acid and levetiracetam, for treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory generalized convulsive status epilepticus. Findings: No significant difference between treatmentRead More →