International Centre for
Emergency Medicine
TheFirstCall
The Emergency Department
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN

T: +44 (0)1224 559 901
F: +44 (0)1224 559 906
E: enquiries@thefirstcall.com

Plastic Blood

Synthetic blood which could act as an alternative in emergencies and be of great benefit in remote areas, is being developed at Sheffield University. The blood avoids the problems associated with traditional blood transfusion, for example, transmission of disease, the need for refrigeration, a short shelf-life and relatively expensive. It will carry oxygen through the body unlike fluids currently used in the pre-hospital environment, which do not have oxygen carrying capacity.

Nasal Diamorphine

For young people attending emergency departments with clinical fractures, a nasal spray to administer morphine is a frequently used, safe and effective method of administering pain relief. Sedatives and painkillers have been trialled in this way. This route avoids the use of needles and the spray may work faster than administering the drug intravenously. It is now being trialled for use at the scene of road traffic collisions.

Firm Makes Healing Super-Water

Scientists in the US have developed a super-water, Microcyn, they say destroys viruses, bacteria and fungi, accelerates healing of wounds and is helpful in the treatment of MRSA. Trials are ongoing in the UK for patients with diabetic foot ulcers for which wound healing is a major problem.

The main component of the water is oxychlorine ions (electrically charged molecules). The water destroys cells it can totally encase so human cells are safe as they are tightly bound in a matrix. The water has been made by taking purified water using an electric current and a semi-permeable chloride membrane to separate out the oxychlorine ions.

A study has shown that patients with advanced foot ulcers being treated with the water and antibiotics had a shorter healing time than those with standard treatment.

Instant Aid Hope for Broken Limbs

A team from Sheffield Hallam University have developed an adaptable portable plastic splint. The First Aid Splint can aid extreme sports fans should they break a limb in remote areas where it is tricky for medical teams to get to. The splint, which has won an international design award, applies rigidness and heat quickly to the limb via a special gel created by a chemically reactive metal strip and saturated sodium acetate solution.

The splint can help protect the injured limbs and assist with recovery. It may be of specific use for people hurt while participating in winter sports. Approximately 45,000 injuries of this kind are thought to occur each year. A splint of this kind is certain to be beneficial to the recovery and rehabilitation of limb injuries.