TY - JOUR T1 - <em>Emergency Medicine Journal</em> COVID-19 monthly top five JF - Emergency Medicine Journal JO - Emerg Med J SP - 319 LP - 321 DO - 10.1136/emermed-2021-211373 VL - 38 IS - 4 AU - Mohammed H Elwan AU - Sarah L Edwards AU - Mostafa Hassanein AU - Alasdair Moffat AU - James David van Oppen AU - Damian Roland AU - Timothy J Coats AU - Anisa Jabeen Nasir Jafar A2 - , Y1 - 2021/04/01 UR - http://emj.bmj.com/content/38/4/319.abstract N2 - Edited by Dr Anisa Jafar on behalf of the RCEM COVID-19 CPD team Following from the successful ‘RCEM weekly top five’ series starting in April 2020, this is the fourth of a monthly format for Emergency Medicine Journal (EMJ) readers. We have undertaken a focused search of the PubMed literature using a standardised COVID-19 search string. Our search between 1 January and 31 January 2020 returned 4138 papers limited to human subjects and English language. We also searched high impact journals for papers of interest.Our team have narrowed down the most interesting, relevant and important of the papers and provided a critical snapshot of five of those we felt most deserved EMJ reader attention. Importantly, we have highlighted not only the main findings from the papers but key limitations and considerations for EM clinicians when interpreting the work. In doing so, have created an accessible window into pertinent research findings for our busy colleagues during this fast-paced and ever-changing COVID-19 landscape.The papers are ranked in one of three categories, allowing you to focus on the papers that are most vital to your practice:Worth a peek—interesting, but not yet ready for prime time.Head turner—new concepts.Game changer—this paper could/should change practice.This month’s searches were undertaken by the Emergency Medicine Academic Group in Leicester. We look forward to next month’s instalment from our friends and colleagues down the M69 in Coventry.Topic: prognosisRating: head turnerPrognostic models for risk of deterioration in acute COVID-19 could inform clinical management decisions, plan appropriate treatment escalation for patients and forecast resource needs for hospitals. This paper from the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium (ISARIC4C) group developed and validated a predictive model for in-hospital deterioration defined as any requirement for ventilatory support, critical care or death.1 Adults … ER -