Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2007
Comparative StudyEmergency department staff can effectively resuscitate in level C personal protective equipment.
ED staff are expected to perform resuscitation of trauma victims of chemical, biological and radiation incidents while wearing level C personal protective equipment (PPE). The present project assessed the subjective discomfort, physiological impact and performance of staff wearing PPE. ⋯ ED staff are able to perform resuscitation procedures in PPE without adverse physiological effects or impact on performance. Subjective concerns regarding task performance were not reflected in objective measurements. This might indicate that appropriate training and feedback could reduce the negative impression associated with activities undertaken while wearing PPE.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2007
Out of hours non-contrast head CT scan interpretation by senior emergency department medical staff.
To assess the accuracy of 'out of hours' (17.00-08.00 hours) non-contrast head computed tomography (NCHCT) scan interpretation by senior ED medical staff. ⋯ 'Out of hours' NCHCT scan interpretation by senior ED medical staff is only correct two-thirds of the time. Further education for all senior ED staff is indicated to improve our accuracy. The safety of NCHCT scan interpretation by senior ED medical staff needs further study.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2007
ReviewEmergency department personal protective equipment requirements following out-of-hospital chemical biological or radiological events in Australasia.
Recent events have led to a revision in ED equipment, preparedness and training for disasters. However, clinicians must still decide when, and what level of personal protection is required when a toxic threat exists. ⋯ Following an off-site Australasian chemical biological or radiological incident, current evidence indicates that the initial receiving ED staff will be adequately protected from all known chemical biological and radiological inhalational threats by wearing a properly fitted P2 (N95) mask, or its equivalent. Protection from serious contact injury is offered by wearing double gloves, disposable fluid-repellent coveralls or gown, eye protection, surgical mask, and ideally, a cap and shoe covers; in conjunction with universal precautions and procedures.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2007
Accuracy of electrocardiogram interpretation improves with emergency medicine training.
To assess whether electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation accuracy improves with advancing years of emergency medicine training. ⋯ There is an improvement in ECG interpretation accuracy with advancing years of emergency medicine training in Victoria. There exists, however, a low level of accuracy for some critical ECG diagnoses. There is a call by trainees for more formalized and regular ECG education to begin earlier in their training.