In this episode, recorded live at Tactical Trauma 2024, Dr Claire Park explores the critical lessons learned from civilian and military incidents, focusing on her extensive experience in the Army and their role as chief investigator in a UK trial examining responses to terrorist attacks.   The talk covers the significance of 'hot zones,' illustrated by detailed analyses of the London Bridge and Fishmongers' Hall attacks and key topics include risk assessment, the importance of rapid medical intervention, the concept of survivability, the need for integrated communication among emergency services, and the human factors influencing decision-making in high-pressure environments. Claire also delves into practical strategies like the 10-second triage and bridging interventions, emphasizing the need for timely and effective medical responses to save lives.   00:00 Introduction to Learning from Incidents 01:52 Setting the Scene: Hot Zones 01:55 Case Study: London Bridge Attack 04:23 Understanding Hot Zones 05:51 Case Study: Fishmongers Hall 07:58 Risk Assessment in Pre-Hospital Care 09:23 Communication and Coordination Challenges 10:16 International Models and Time Management 12:13 Triage and Life-Saving Interventions 15:18 Data and Research on Causes of Death 21:43 Human Factors in Emergency Response 24:00 Conclusion   Dr Claire Park is a consultant in pre-hospital emergency medicine for London's HEMS, as well as anaesthesia and critical care medicine at Kings College Hospital in London. She also is an army consultant with over 20 years of deployed military experience. Claire is the Medical Adviser to the Specialist Firearms teams of the Metropolitan Police Service and has worked closely with all of the emergency services in London on developing the joint response to high-threat incidents, particularly following the attacks of 2017. She is the Chief Investigator on a UK nationally-funded research grant looking at evidence for improving patient outcomes in the hot zone of major incidents. She is also a CTECC Committee member.

Join Iain Beardsell and Liz Crowe in an engaging discussion with Alice Hutton, an emergency physician from Paris, at Tactical Trauma 24 in Sundsvall, Sweden.

The episode delves into the implementation and logistics of pre-hospital eCPR (Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) by SAMU in Paris. Alice shares insights from her PhD research on refractory cardiac arrest and discusses the use of therapeutic hypothermia, including experimental approaches like total liquid ventilation.

Key topics include team composition, decision-making for patient eligibility, real-time management strategies, bypassing traditional emergency rooms for specialized facilities, and the challenges of scene management, family communication, and post-event debriefing.

This conversation offers a comprehensive look at the latest innovations that could transform pre-hospital emergency medical services.

Read more here...

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:29 eCPR in Paris: Current Practices

02:35 Dispatch and Response Protocols

03:32 On-Scene Procedures and Challenges

04:23 Decision Making and Scene Management

05:53 Training and Handling Difficult Situations

06:59 Challenges of eCPR Decision-Making

08:07 Importance of Team Debriefing

08:52 Post-Resuscitation Procedures

10:12 Operational Logistics and Success Rates

11:20 Innovative Research in Therapeutic Hypothermia

13:13 Future of Pre-Hospital Cooling Techniques

13:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the St. Emlyn's podcast, hosts Iain Beardsell and Simon Carley share their insights from recent conferences, including Gateshead's RCEM scientific conference, Tactical Trauma 24 in Sweden, and the Premier Conference.

They explore 'Goldilocks moments' for executing life-saving procedures in critical care, emphasizing optimal timing for interventions like thoracotomies. The episode also discusses innovative training methods like shadowboxing to enhance decision-making in high-stress medical scenarios. In addition, they review a significant trial on smoking cessation in emergency departments, highlighting its potential role in broader public health initiatives, including sexual health and HIV screening.

Discussions also cover various pain management strategies, such as the use of intranasal vs. intravenous Ketorolac for renal colic. The hosts critique the traditional peer review process in medical research and advocate for open peer review to support equitable and accessible scientific publishing.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

02:07 The Goldilocks Moment in Critical Care

05:25 Training and Decision-Making in Emergency Procedures

07:23 Smoking Cessation in Emergency Departments

10:07 Challenges in Implementing Preventive Health Strategies

10:38 Successful Public Health Projects in Emergency Medicine

11:19 Exploring Alternative Interventions in Emergency Departments

11:52 Highlights from the Premier Conference

12:54 Intranasal Ketorolac for Pain Management

15:46 The Future of Peer Review in Medical Research

20:09 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Content

In this episode, recorded at Tactical Trauma 2024, Andrew Petrosoniak discusses real-world experiences in trauma care, and the innovative use of simulation to resolve systematic issues in blood delivery and overall trauma resuscitation protocols.

Key takeaways include the concept of intelligent failure, reducing cognitive overload for medical staff, and the creation of efficient medical environments. Moreover, the episode delves into the significant improvements achieved through simulation, such as a 50% reduction in blood delivery times, and the integration of performance data to enhance CPR and clinical space design. Emphasizing the importance of using data to drive improvements, the conversation explores the implementation of roles like a CPR coach and the scalable application of these practices across individual, team, and systemic levels.

Listeners are encouraged to view failures constructively and leverage simulations and data for better patient outcomes and team performance.

00:00 Introduction to Simulation in Emergency Medicine

01:05 A Real-Life Trauma Case

02:18 Identifying Systemic Issues

02:46 Implementing and Testing Solutions

05:45 The Concept of Intelligent Failure

09:41 Scaling and Impact of Simulation

10:22 The Power of Simulation in Experimentation

10:56 Data Integration in Healthcare and Sports

11:29 Evaluating CPR Quality Through Simulation

12:14 Using Data to Improve Clinical Performance

13:47 Designing Clinical Spaces with Simulation Data

15:28 Scaling Impact with Simulation

18:02 Efficient Team Communication in Trauma Bays

19:04 Broadcasting and Recording Simulations for Education

19:39 Conclusion and Future Directions

The Speaker

Dr. Andrew Petrosoniak is an emergency physician and trauma team leader at St. Michael’s Hospital and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He has completed a Master of Science in medical education where he focused on the use of in situ simulation (practice in the actual workplace) in procedural skill acquisition.

Andrew’s field of research includes in situ simulation and simulation-based technical skill acquisition. His work focuses on usability testing and the identification of personnel- and systems-based safety threats within acute care medicine. He is the principal investigator of the TRUST study (Trauma Resuscitation Using in Situ simulation for Team Training) that includes a partnership with human factors experts to evaluate systems and processes during high-stakes trauma simulations.

Recorded at Tactical Trauma 2024, in this episode of the St. Emlyn’s podcast, Iain Beardsell and Liz Crowe sit down with Kevin Cyr, commander of a SWAT-like unit in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to discuss leadership, failure, and resilience in high-stakes environments. Kevin shares the powerful story of a tragic hostage situation that resulted in the unintended death of the hostage by the police, a failure of the highest order. Through this  tragedy, Kevin highlights the importance of visible leadership, team resilience, and learning from failure in both law enforcement and healthcare settings.

Key Themes:

1. Handling Failure in High-Pressure Situations:
Kevin discusses a significant incident where a hostage was killed by his SWAT team during a rescue attempt, describing it as the “epitome of failure.” This tragic event not only made national news but left an indelible mark on the team. The podcast dives into the lessons learned from this event and how the team used it to drive growth and improvement. In healthcare, much like in policing, failure can feel devastating and highly public, but it’s also a critical aspect of development for teams and leaders.

2. Visible Leadership and Unwavering Support:
In the aftermath of a traumatic event, Kevin emphasizes the importance of leadership being present and supportive. He recounts how he and his commanding officer went to visit the officers involved in the shooting immediately after the event, providing what he calls “unwavering support.” In healthcare, leaders should adopt similar strategies, offering visible and sustained support to their teams in the immediate aftermath of difficult cases.

3. Sustained Support Over Time:
While initial support following a traumatic event is crucial, Kevin points out that it’s often after 48 hours, or even weeks later, that people start feeling isolated. Leaders must continue to check in with their teams weeks after the event, when the immediate crisis may have passed, but the emotional toll is still present. This ongoing visibility and emotional support are key to retaining staff and ensuring their well-being in both law enforcement and healthcare.

4. Debriefing to Learn, Not to Blame:
Kevin advocates for a debriefing process that focuses on learning from failure rather than assigning blame. After their tragic event, his team didn’t just move on; they dissected the event to understand what went wrong and how to prevent similar failures in the future. In healthcare, this process is equally valuable—debriefs should aim to identify learning opportunities and reinforce positive actions, not to point fingers.

5. The Role of Organizational Culture:
Kevin touches on how organizational apathy, or a lack of emotional and psychological support, can cause more damage than the actual traumatic event itself. He highlights the importance of developing a high-trust environment where team members feel safe to express vulnerability. In healthcare, fostering a culture of open communication and mutual support is essential to prevent burnout and moral injury.

6. The Value of Failure in Team Growth:
One of the most profound insights Kevin shares is the idea that failure is a necessary part of growth. Three years after their tragic hostage situation, his team was called to a similar event, but this time they were successful in rescuing both hostages. Kevin attributes this success directly to the lessons learned from their earlier failure, emphasizing that failure, when handled correctly, can lead to transformational change.

7. Selection and Resilience in High-Performance Teams:
Kevin discusses the importance of selecting team members with high emotional intelligence and the humility to ask for help when needed. He explains how his team differentiates between rank and role, giving autonomy to those with the most subject matter expertise, regardless of their rank. In healthcare, this is a critical point—leaders must recognize that true leadership isn’t just about authority, but about empowering others to take charge when appropriate.

8. Managing Expectations and Mental Health:
The episode also delves into how individuals in high-stakes roles, whether in policing or healthcare, cope with the psychological aftermath of traumatic events. Kevin explains how his team has shifted from the belief that emotional support is unnecessary to recognizing the value of helping team members process their experiences in a healthy way. This parallels the increasing focus in healthcare on preventing burnout and ensuring emotional well-being through proactive support.

Key Takeaways:

- Failure is Inevitable: In high-stakes environments like policing and healthcare, failure will happen. What matters is how teams respond to failure—learning from it, growing stronger, and preventing future mistakes. Leadership Requires Visibility: Leaders must be present, especially in the aftermath of failure. Showing unwavering support and maintaining visibility over time is crucial for maintaining team morale and trust.

- Debriefing to Learn: After a failure, it’s essential to have structured debriefs that focus on learning and improving, rather than blaming. This helps teams identify areas of improvement and ensures they grow stronger from difficult experiences.

- Long-Term Support is Critical: Immediate support after a traumatic event is important, but equally important is sustaining that support over time, checking in with team members weeks or even months later to ensure their well-being.

- Resilience through Humility: Teams should be built on trust and humility, where members can ask for help when needed and offer help to others. Selecting individuals with high emotional intelligence is key to creating a resilient team.

- Failure Leads to Growth: When handled correctly, failure can drive transformational change within teams. It allows for the development of new skills and ensures that teams are better prepared for future challenges.

Quotes:

- “Failure is a necessary part of growth. It’s not just something to get over, it’s something you get better from.”
- “Visible leadership and unwavering support are critical in the immediate aftermath of failure. Your team needs to know you’re there with them.”
- “Debriefing to learn, not to blame, is essential. We must focus on what went well, what went wrong, and how to improve next time.”
- “In high-pressure environments, we can’t control every variable, but we can control how we respond to them and how we prepare for the future.”

 

Welcome back to the St. Emlyn’s podcast. This episode covers some of the most important developments in emergency medicine and critical care from July 2024. Whether you're practicing on the frontlines or keeping up with the latest research, this episode has something for you. From coronary risk scoring tools to cutting-edge AI in ECG interpretation, and the management of non-fatal strangulation, it’s packed with insightful updates. Here's a breakdown of the key topics:

The Manchester Acute Coronary Score (MACS Rule) is a valuable tool for risk-stratifying patients presenting with chest pain in the emergency department (ED). MACS uses both clinical characteristics and biomarkers like troponin to assess a patient's likelihood of experiencing an acute coronary event. A recent systematic review found that the T-MACS model (which uses troponin) has a sensitivity of 96%, making it highly effective at ruling out serious coronary events.

Though the specificity is lower, MACS’s real strength lies in its ability to drive clinical decisions and patient referrals. This tool is already integrated into the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) in Manchester, where it helps streamline the decision-making process for patients with chest pain. If you’re looking for a reliable method to quickly and accurately stratify risk, MACS could be the answer.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare, and its application in ECG interpretation is particularly exciting for emergency medicine. In this episode, Steve Smith joins us to talk about how AI can enhance the detection of occlusive myocardial infarction (OMI)—a concept that might one day replace the traditional ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation classifications.

By integrating AI into rapid assessment areas (like pit-stop zones in the ED), clinicians can benefit from real-time ECG analysis. This reduces the burden of interruptions and helps detect subtle abnormalities that might be missed in high-pressure environments. AI-driven ECG tools could dramatically improve patient outcomes, particularly in cases of high-risk cardiac events.

Non-fatal strangulation (NFS) is an often underdiagnosed condition in emergency medicine, but it carries significant risks, including carotid artery dissection. A new guideline from the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine emphasizes the importance of detecting these cases and suggests that clinicians use contrast angiography to rule out vascular injuries.

Beyond the medical consequences, non-fatal strangulation is also a major indicator of future violence, including homicide. The guideline highlights the ethical challenges clinicians face when deciding whether to involve law enforcement, especially when patient consent is lacking. Safeguarding and appropriate referrals are essential for these high-risk patients.

REBOA has been evolving in recent years, and now it’s moving from the emergency department into the pre-hospital setting. In the latest advancements, partial REBOA—which allows for some blood flow below the balloon—is being used to resuscitate patients in traumatic cardiac arrest.

This partial occlusion technique may be more effective in maintaining coronary perfusion, essentially resuscitating the heart in cases of extreme hemorrhage. Early data from a feasibility study shows promise, with an 18% survival rate in patients who otherwise would have had little chance of survival. REBOA could become a life-saving pre-hospital intervention for trauma patients in the near future.

Paediatric eating disorders, particularly anorexia and diabulimia, remain under-recognized in emergency medicine. In this episode, we explore some of the red flags—such as rapid weight loss, bradycardia, and postural hypotension—and why emergency clinicians need to be more attuned to the signs of eating disorders.

Of all mental health disorders, anorexia has the highest mortality rate, and in cases of diabulimia, patients intentionally stop taking insulin to induce ketosis and lose weight. Given the severity of these conditions, it's crucial that we recognize them early and respond appropriately, especially when young diabetic patients present with unusual symptoms.

The advent of hybrid closed-loop insulin pumps is transforming the care of type 1 diabetes. These pumps act as an artificial pancreas, continuously monitoring blood glucose levels and adjusting insulin delivery automatically. The latest guidelines from NICE recommend these devices for all patients with type 1 diabetes in the UK.

However, these pumps come with their own set of challenges, especially in the emergency department, where clinicians need to know how to troubleshoot common problems, such as cannula blockages or starvation ketosis. In this episode, Nicola Trevelyan walks us through the essential steps for managing patients who use these devices.

Lidocaine patches have long been used as a low-risk intervention for managing pain in elderly patients with rib fractures, particularly when nerve blocks or NSAIDs aren’t viable options. But how effective are they? A recent feasibility study compared lidocaine patches with standard care and found that while the pulmonary complication rate remains high, the patches may offer some benefit for pain relief.

While more research is needed, lidocaine patches continue to be a low-harm option that might provide relief in certain patient populations, particularly where other pain management strategies are contraindicated.

Button battery ingestion remains one of the most dangerous emergencies in pediatric medicine. Francesca Stedman, a pediatric surgeon, explains the dangers of battery-induced burns, which can occur within hours of ingestion. Time is of the essence in these cases, and quick identification through radiographic imaging followed by rapid removal is critical to prevent long-term damage.

Even when batteries are lodged in places like the nose, they can cause significant tissue damage in a short time, making early intervention absolutely vital.

That’s a wrap for our July 2024 podcast update! From life-saving interventions like REBOA and AI in ECG analysis to the everyday challenges of managing pediatric emergencies and coronary risk, this month’s highlights offer a wealth of knowledge for clinicians. Be sure to check out the full blog posts and podcasts for more in-depth discussions on each of these topics. Thanks for listening and stay tuned for more cutting-edge insights from St. Emlyn’s!

In this episode of the St Emlyn's podcast, Iain Beardsell is joined by Dan Horner, a consultant in Emergency Medicine and Neurocritical Care, and Tom Roberts, an Emergency Medicine Registrar and clinical lecturer, to discuss their recently published SHED study on subarachnoid haemorrhage in the Emergency Department (ED). This landmark study, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, explores the safety of CT scans in diagnosing subarachnoid haemorrhage up to 24 hours after headache onset and evaluates the role of further investigations like a lumbar puncture.

The study examines acute severe headache presentations in the ED and the diagnostic approach to ruling out subarachnoid haemorrhage, a critical and often feared diagnosis among emergency physicians. Conducted through the Trainee Emergency Research Network (TURN), the study included over 3,600 patients from 88 UK EDs with acute severe headaches reaching maximum intensity within one hour and no focal neurology. Data collection included CT scans, lumbar puncture results, and 28-day follow-up to identify missed cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Key findings from the study revealed a 6.5% prevalence of subarachnoid haemorrhage, with a significant number presenting within six hours of headache onset. The sensitivity of CT scans remained high beyond the traditional six-hour window, suggesting that CT alone could safely rule out subarachnoid haemorrhage up to 18 hours in many cases, potentially reducing the need for lumbar puncture. The risk of missing an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage after a negative CT was found to be extremely low, around 1 in 1,000.

These findings challenge the routine use of lumbar puncture in patients presenting beyond six hours if the CT scan is negative, potentially changing ED practice and reducing unnecessary invasive procedures. The discussion also emphasized the importance of shared decision-making and recognizing that diagnostic testing is about managing probabilities, not certainties. For clinicians, the episode highlights the need to expedite CT scans for patients with acute severe headaches, especially those presenting within 10 minutes of onset, as they are more likely to have significant pathology. Emergency physicians are encouraged to own the decision-making process for ruling out serious causes of headaches and not defer solely to 'specialists'.

The SHED study supports extending the diagnostic window for CT scans in ruling out subarachnoid hemorrhage up to 18 hours, reducing the need for lumbar puncture in many cases. This data empowers emergency clinicians to make informed decisions, manage patient expectations, and streamline ED processes. 

For more information, listeners are encouraged to read the SHED Study in the Emergency Medicine Journal and explore the related blog post on the St Emlyn’s website. Emergency clinicians are also invited to connect with TERN to get involved in future research opportunities. 

This episode provides valuable insights for clinicians in managing acute severe headaches, emphasizing a more nuanced approach to subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosis and the importance of clinical decision-making in the ED.

In this episode, we delve into the critical role of neuroprotection in pre-hospital care, particularly in pediatric head injuries. Through a real-life case study of a 13-year-old boy who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car, we explore the steps taken by paramedics and critical care teams to stabilize him and prevent further neurological damage. From airway management to advanced interventions, this episode highlights the challenges of pre-hospital neuroprotection and the incredible teamwork that led to the patient’s remarkable recovery. 

There is more detail on the full blogpost here. 

This podcast was recorded live at the Hope Church in Winchester as part of the PREMIER conference. We are grateful to the organizing team for hosting us and allowing us to use the audio. The PIER and PREMIER websites are full of amazing resources for anyone working in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, and we highly recommend them.

The Speaker

Ed is a Speciality Trainee in Emergency Medicine in Wessex and a trainee Critical Care Practitioner with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Ed is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Enhanced Care Services, a Southampton-based company delivering enhanced and critical care to the event medical sector, providing frontline ambulance services across Hampshire and clinical education at all levels, employing over 200 clinicians. Ed holds the Diploma in Immediate Medical Care (RCSEd) and, having promised to not take on any more work, is currently undertaking a Masters in Resuscitation, Pre-hospital and Emergency Medicine at QMUL.

Enhanced Care Services

Enhanced Care Services' mission is to provide and influence excellent patient care, irrespective of injury, illness or location, through the delivery of high-quality clinical operations and education. Founded in 2015, ECS now provide frontline ambulance operations across the South, delivers extensive medical cover to some of the most prestigious events across the UK and provides education from its bespoke education centre in Southampton and beyond.

In this episode, Dr Tim Warlow, a consultant in Paediatric Palliative Care, explores the complexities of caring for children with life-limiting conditions in the emergency department (ED). The discussion highlights the increasing prevalence of paediatric life-limiting conditions and the growing medical complexity of these cases, which pose significant challenges for ED staff.

The episode begins by clarifying what paediatric palliative care truly involves. Contrary to common misconceptions, palliative care is not about withdrawing care but rather enhancing the quality of life for children from the point of diagnosis, whether the condition is present from birth or develops as the child deteriorates. This proactive approach often involves increasing the level of care and support as the child’s needs evolve.

As the number of children with life-limiting conditions continues to rise, EDs are encountering more medically complex cases, including children who are technology-dependent and require high levels of care at home. These challenges are compounded by the evolving expectations of parents, who are often better informed and more involved in their child's care decisions. Post-COVID, community services have struggled to recover, particularly in nursing support, making the role of the ED even more critical.

The episode provides practical tips for ED professionals to better manage these cases. Key strategies include:

1. Recognising Life-Limiting Conditions: With over 400 recognized life-limiting conditions and many more undiagnosed, it’s crucial to assess whether a child might have palliative care needs.

2. Listening to Families: Families often have an intimate understanding of their child’s unique medical baseline. Listening deeply to their insights, even when they seem unusual, is essential for providing appropriate care.

3. Building Rapid Rapport: Quickly establishing a connection with the family is vital, as these children can deteriorate rapidly. Acknowledging the child’s presence, summarizing the situation, and validating the family’s experience can help build trust.

4. Understanding the Child Beyond Their Illness: Families worry that healthcare professionals only see their child when they are unwell. Taking the time to learn about the child’s life outside of the hospital can lead to better care decisions.

5. Reading the Advanced Care Plan: If available, review the child’s advanced care plan before discussing the case with the family. This ensures that the family doesn’t have to recount their entire journey and that care decisions are based on the most current information.

The episode also addresses the importance of being aware of unconscious prejudice. Healthcare professionals must ensure that decisions are based on the child’s specific needs rather than assumptions about their quality of life due to their disability.

In conclusion, the episode emphasizes that while caring for children with life-limiting conditions in the ED is challenging, it is also deeply rewarding. The key to providing excellent care lies not just in medical interventions but in being present, listening, and supporting the family through difficult times. Whether things go as planned or not, your presence and compassion are what families remember most.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in pediatric care, offering valuable insights into the critical role of the ED in supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families. There is more detail on the blogpost here. 

As the UK enjoys its unpredictable summer, with everything from sunshine to hailstorms, we bring you a mix of updates and discussions on emergency medicine, blog content, upcoming conferences, and insightful research reviews. So, whether you're basking in the sun or sheltering from the rain, sit back and enjoy our latest insights into the world of emergency medicine.

In this round-up of Month Year, we talk about a wide range of issues relating to emergency medicine, including nebulised ketamine for analgesia in the ED, risky intubations, presentation skills, more about the DOSE VF trial and analysis of the much-hyped PREOXI trial about preoxygenation before tracheal intubation.

We're excited to announce our participation in two upcoming conferences. The Tactical Trauma Conference in Sweden this October promises to delve into pre-hospital emergency medicine, offering sessions from renowned speakers. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn and network, with flights to Sweden being relatively affordable. The event takes place just north of Stockholm, providing a chance to explore the beautiful city.

In March next year, we look forward to the Incrementum Conference in Murcia, Spain. This is a significant event as emergency medicine has recently been recognized as a specialty in Spain. The conference will feature an impressive lineup of speakers from the FOMED world, including Scott Weingart, Ken Milne, Hany Malamatt, and Slim Resie , among others. Our very own Simon Carly will also be presenting. We'll be there to conduct interviews and gather exclusive content for our listeners.

Thank you for joining us, please do like and subscribe wherever you get our podcasts.

 

In this podcast from the PREMIER conference 2024, Francesca Stedman, a consultant paediatric surgeon from Southampton Children's Hospital discusses the care of the child who has ingested a button battery. 

Button batteries are ubiquitous and come in various types and sizes. There are about 85 different kinds available or in use in the UK alone, found in everything from toys to hearing aids. The most notorious is the CR2032, which is about 20 millimeters in diameter and 3.2 millimeters thick. It contains lithium manganese oxide, and while its small size makes it convenient for electronics, it poses a significant risk if ingested.

The danger with button batteries lies in their potential to cause severe injuries when lodged in the esophagus. They can cause necrosis, which is essentially tissue death, due to a strong alkaline substance produced by the battery. This substance acts like a potent oven cleaner, rapidly causing damage. The esophagus has three natural narrowing points where these batteries often get stuck, increasing the likelihood of injury. The situation becomes critical very quickly, often within two hours of ingestion.

One of the most concerning aspects of these incidents is that button battery ingestions are rarely witnessed. Children might present with vague symptoms like drooling, difficulty swallowing, or even just being generally unwell. These can easily be mistaken for other common illnesses, leading to delays in diagnosis. In one particularly harrowing case, a child presented multiple times with symptoms of a respiratory infection, only for an x-ray to reveal a button battery lodged in the esophagus. By then, the damage was extensive.

When ingestion is suspected, immediate action is crucial. Getting a chest x-ray is the first step, and if necessary, a lateral x-ray can confirm the presence of a button battery by revealing a characteristic double rim or halo sign. Pre-hospital measures can include giving honey or jam, depending on the child’s age, to help mitigate the damage. However, these should never delay getting the child to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, the primary goal is to remove the battery as quickly as possible to prevent further injury. Depending on the location of the battery and available specialists, either ENT surgeons or paediatric surgeons may perform the removal. Post-removal care involves monitoring for complications like perforations or fistulas, which can develop days or even weeks later. In severe cases, these injuries can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as aorto-esophageal fistulas, which require immediate surgical intervention.

In summary, button battery ingestion is a serious and often underappreciated risk. Even in homes where precautions are taken, accidents can happen. The key is quick recognition and action. As parents and caregivers, we need to be vigilant about keeping these small, dangerous objects out of children's reach. And if an accident does occur, immediate medical attention is essential to minimize the risk of serious injury. 

More details are available on the blogpost here.