List Archives

Sun, 24 Feb 2002 13:36:39 -0000

I entirely recognise that AVPU is not as good as GCS , when GCS is done by a
person who does it properly. I now have a policy that ALL GCS 9 or less get
an emergency call to the ICU for assessment. However, I can usually get at
least 3 more when I do the GCS. So its not always done well. We use AVPU on
our wards as a crude measure of alertness. Its a hell of a lot better than
what the staff did before, and I have to disagree with Rowley. There is a
place for AVPU.
Nick

DR NJD Macartney FRCA
ICU, Chase Farm Hospital, The Ridgeway, Enfield. Middlesex EN2 8JL
Mobile 00447831630068
Work 0044 208967 5955

> -----Original Message-----
> From: trauma-list-admin@trauma.org
> [mailto:trauma-list-admin@trauma.org]On Behalf Of Rowley Cottingham
> Sent: 23 February 2002 12:30
> To: trauma-list@trauma.org
> Subject: RE: #1283
>
>
> The people who persist in teaching out of date rubbish like AVPU are the
> ones who need slamming, to conflate two different threads. The question on
> fitting is all to do with cerebral perfusion. We will all fit if provoked
> enough, and hypoxia is a great neural provocation. So the ventricle goes
> into fibrillation, and there is no circulation to the brain. The
> person then
> is at greater risk of fitting. Restore the circulation before there is
> irreversible hypoxic brain damage and no harm ensues.
>
> Rowley Cottingham
> http://emergencyunit.com
>
>
>
> --
> trauma-list : TRAUMA.ORG
> To change your settings or unsubscribe visit:
> http://www.trauma.org/traumalist.html
>

List Archives

For your convenience, find the Trauma List Archive Below

#1283