Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2004
Comparative Study Clinical TrialAgreement between bicarbonate measured on arterial and venous blood gases.
This study aims to determine the extent of agreement between venous and arterial bicarbonate for a group of emergency department patients with respiratory or metabolic illness requiring blood gas analysis as part of their evaluation. ⋯ Venous bicarbonate estimation shows a high level of agreement with the arterial value, with acceptably narrow 95% limits of agreement. These results suggest that venous bicarbonate estimation may be an acceptable substitute for arterial measurement.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2004
Radiological imaging to improve the emergency department diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
To determine the institution's current non-therapeutic (negative) appendicectomy rate; the frequency of clinical predictors for appendicitis in patients who underwent appendicectomy; and the utilization and accuracy of ultrasound scans (USS) and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of appendicitis. ⋯ Computed tomoraphy scanning should play an increasing role in the ED management of suspected appendicitis. Our negative appendicectomy rate could potentially be halved by the introduction of CT scans in the diagnostic work up of these patients.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2004
Comment ReviewPolitical issues in emergency medicine: the United Kingdom.
A recent issue of this Journal published two papers on political issues facing the specialty of emergency medicine in the USA and in Canada. This paper continues the theme from a UK perspective. In recent years there has been significant change in the National Health Service, which has had (or will have) both direct and indirect consequences for the specialty of emergency medicine and the delivery of emergency care in the UK. This article describes some of the recent National Health Service initiatives and their implications for emergency medicine.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2004
Specific training in clinical forensic medicine is useful to ACEM trainees.
To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month rotation in forensic medicine in developing medicolegal and forensic skills for doctors training for a fellowship with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM). ⋯ A 6-month rotation in clinical forensic medicine improves ACEM trainees perceived ability to perform a number of medicolegal tasks without interfering with other areas of professional development.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2004
Improving emergency care for children: a model of collaboration between emergency departments.
To determine whether a partnership between a tertiary paediatric hospital and a hospital with a mixed population of children and adults can improve emergency care for children. To describe the process of creating and maintaining such a partnership. ⋯ This initiative was successful in improving local paediatric facilities and patient care and is a new and innovative means of improving paediatric emergency care.