BACKGROUND: Thoracostomy tube insertion is one of the common bedside procedures in emergency medicine and many acute specialties. Dislodgement of thoracostomy tube from the connection tube of chest drainage system is an important problem with potential complications such as contamination, infection and pneumothorax. Besides, mere loosening can also lead to malfunction. It is a common practice to tape the connection of the system. This study aimed to evaluate the materials and methods of connection of chest drain system to minimize drainage dislodgement. METHODS: We conducted an experimental study to assess the tightness of the connection with various taping materials and methods. We selected three commonly used adhesive materials (3M?Transpore? Medical tape, 3M? Micropore? Medical tape, 3M? Soft Cloth Tape on Liner) and three different methods (cross method, straight method, nylon band) to secure the junction between the thoracostomy tube and the bi-conical adaptor in the drainage system. The measured outcome was the weight causing visible loosening of the junction between thoracotomy tube and the adaptor. RESULTS: For each taping material and taping method, 10 trials were performed. The median weight required to disconnect the junction is 26.22 lb for Transpore?, 31.29 lb for Micropore? and 32.44 lb for Soft Cloth Tape on Liner. A smaller force was required to disconnect if Transpore? is used (P<0.001). There was no statistical significant difference between Micropore? and Soft Cloth Tape on Liner (P=0.98). The median disconnecting force is 32.44 lb for straight taping method, 40.55 lb for cross taping method and 21.15 lb for plastic band. The cross-taping method was the more secure method (P<0.0001 when compared with plastic band) (P=0.033 when compared with straight method). CONCLUSION: Cross-taping is the most secure method among the tested varieties in connecting the thoracostomy tube to the chest drainage system. Transpore? is not a recommended material for thoracostomy tube taping.

BACKGROUND: To popularize the wide-spread use of automated external defibrillator (AED) to save life in sudden cardiac arrest, we compared the strength and weakness of different types of AEDs to enable a sound selection based on regional requirement. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study. Different types of AEDs were compared according to the information of AEDs from manuals and brochures provided by the manufacturers. Fifteen types of AEDs were divided into 3 groups, basic, intermediate and advanced. RESULTS: Lifeline? AUTO AED had the best performance in price, portability and user-friendly among AEDs of basic level. It required less time for shock charging. Samaritan PAD defibrillator was superior in price, portability, durability and characteristic among AEDs of intermediate level. It had the longest warranty and highest protection against water and dust. Lifeline? PRO AED had the best performance in most of the criteria among AEDs of advanced level and offered CPR video and manual mode for laypersons and clinicians respectively. CONCLUSION: Lifeline? AUTO AED, Samaritan PAD defibril ator, Lifeline? PRO AED are superior in AEDs of basic, intermediate and advanced levels, respectively. A feasible AED may be chosen by users according to the regional requirement and the current information about the best available products.

BACKGROUND:Intravenous fluid (IVF) is commonly used in acute clinical management. This study aimed to review the choice and primary considerations in IVF prescriptions and to evaluate the adequacy of guidelines and trainings on it in the New Territories West Cluster (NTWC) of Hong Kong. METHODS:This is a descriptive study based on data collected from an online survey. Data were processed by SPSS for statistical analysis. This study focused on a general description and doctor-nurse between group comparison. Participants were asked the choice of IVF for nine acute clinical scenarios and provide reason. A 1–10 scale was used to assess the sufficiency of guideline, training and information, and time for revision on IVF prescription. RESULTS:0.9％ sodium chloride was the most familiar IVF (36％), followed by 5％ Dextrose solution (26％). In the nine scenarios, the most chosen IVF was 0.9％ sodium chloride (37％–61％). There was significant difference in the choice of IVF between doctors and nurses in 7 cases. The second most chosen IVF for doctors was Plasma-Lyte A while that for nurses was Gelofusine. Departmental practice was the most chosen reason to account for the prescription. The adequacy of guideline, information and training, and time for revision was rated 5. Doctors had significantly more time at work than nurses to update knowledge in IVF prescription (5.41 versus 4.57). CONCLUSION:0.9％ sodium chloride was mostly chosen. The choice of IVF was mainly based on departmental practice. Adequacy of guideline, information and training, and time for revision on IVF prescription were average, indicating significant training deficit.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited studies exploring functional improvement in relation to characteristics of patients who, following acute hospital care, receive inpatient rehabilitation in community hospitals. We evaluated the association of acute hospital admission-related factors with functional improvement on community hospital discharge. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients who were transferred to community hospitals within 14-day post-discharge from acute hospital between 2016 and 2018. Modified Barthel Index (MBI) on a 100-point ordinal scale was used to assess functional status on admission to and discharge from the community hospital. We categorised MBI into 6 bands: 0-24, 25-49, 50-74, 75-90, 91-99 and 100. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to determine factors associated with categorical improvement in functional status, defined as an increase in at least one MBI band between admission and discharge. RESULTS: A total of 5,641 patients (median age 77 years, interquartile range 69-84; 44.2% men) were included for analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders, factors associated with functional improvement were younger age, a higher MBI on admission, and musculoskeletal diagnosis for the acute hospital admission episode. In contrast, a history of dementia or stroke; lower estimated glomerular filtration rate; abnormal serum albumin or anaemia measured during the acute hospital episode; and diagnoses of stroke, cardiac disease, malignancy, falls or pneumonia; and other chronic respiratory diseases were associated with lower odds of functional improvement. CONCLUSION Clinicians may want to take into account the presence of these high-risk factors in their patients when planning rehabilitation programmes, in order to maximise the likelihood of functional improvement.
Aftercare ; Aged ; Female ; Hospitals, Community ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Patient Discharge ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke/complications* ; Stroke Rehabilitation