Australasian emergency care
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Australas Emerg Care · Mar 2020
Observational StudyNurse-to-nurse communication about multidisciplinary care delivered in the emergency department: An observation study of nurse-to-nurse handover to transfer patient care to general medical wards.
Little is known about how Australian national safety standards for communicating multidisciplinary care are operationalised during high-risk care transitions. We examined transfer of care for complex patients from the emergency department (ED) to medical wards to explore nurse-to-nurse communication about multidisciplinary care provided in the ED. ⋯ This study revealed gaps in nurse-to-nurse communication about patients' multidisciplinary care. Complex factors negatively impact nurses' handover communication necessitating workarounds, and highlighting nurses' role as patient safety advocates.
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Australas Emerg Care · Dec 2019
Case ReportsLaughter is the best medicine: A novel finding in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in a paediatric emergency patient.
We present a novel case of laughter induction that was noted to terminate an episode of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in a 10 year old girl who presented to a large metropolitan emergency department. In the initial management of this patient's SVT, traditional vagal maneuvers (including the valsalva maneuver and stimulation of the mammalian divers reflex) were attempted unsuccessfully. While awaiting further treatment, nursing staff presented the patient with an inflated examination glove that had been crafted into the shape of an elephant. ⋯ Our patient's case highlights the potential positive impact of this physiology when applied in the context of the paediatric patient presenting in SVT. In the context of the available evidence, the case of our 10-year-old patient serves as a thought-provoking example of the real world relationship between laughter and the traditional Valsalva maneuver. The utility of laughter in the management of supraventricular tachycardia is an area that warrants further investigation.
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Australas Emerg Care · Dec 2019
The "All of Us" study - Non-clinical staff members' experience of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in acute care settings.
A multitude of Australian hospitals use non-clinical staff to assist with chest compressions and ancillary duties during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Whilst few studies have focused on psychological implications for non-clinical staff, research into other groups indicates that a lack of attention to psychological support may adversely impact individual wellbeing, team functioning and clinical performance. The aim of this study was to explore how non-clinical workers were psychologically affected during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and factors that might mitigate adverse psychological effects. ⋯ This study shows that the development and formalisation of peer support networks for non-clinical health staff warrants serious consideration. The study also indicates that non-clinical members of resuscitation teams may benefit from more psychological preparation and support with self-care.
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Australas Emerg Care · Sep 2019
Stressors and coping strategies of emergency department nurses and doctors: A cross-sectional study.
Emergency departments (EDs) are stressful workplaces. Limited research explores components ED staff find stressful and how they cope. The aim of this study is to describe ED staff perceptions of their working environment. ⋯ Impacts of varying degrees of exposure of this young cohort of staff, with limited experience, to modifiable and non-modifiable stressors highlight site-specific opportunities to enhance staff perceptions of their working environment.
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Australas Emerg Care · Sep 2019
Paramedic student confidence, concerns, learning and experience with resuscitation decision-making and patient death: A pilot survey.
Around the world, many paramedics are authorised to withhold or terminate resuscitation. Research indicates this can be a challenging part of their role. Little is known about graduating paramedic student confidence, concerns and learning in this area. ⋯ Exposure to termination of resuscitation and management of the scene of a patient death is variable amongst graduating paramedics. Novice paramedics may benefit from opportunities to observe and rehearse non-technical skills including delivering death notification and communicating with bystanders and bereaved family. The Confidence with Resuscitation Decision-Making and Patient Death Scale has favourable psychometric properties and utility as an outcome measure for future research in this area.