Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of high- and low-fidelity mannequins for clinical performance assessment.
A pilot study exploring the differences between high- and low-fidelity mannequins in the assessment of clinical performance. ⋯ There was no significant objective difference between the two mannequins.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2008
Comparative StudyExternal injury documentation in major trauma victims is inadequate: grounds for routine photography in the emergency department?
There is no widely accepted measure of clinical documentation quality in the ED. The present study creates a measure for comparing the quality of clinical documentation of external injuries with autopsy reports. This is used to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of introducing routine photography to improve clinical documentation of injuries. ⋯ Clinical documentation of external injuries in major trauma is poor. This is presumably because of many factors, including time pressures and high-stress environments. A possible strategy to improve this documentation is routine photography, which should offer both clinical and legal benefits.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2008
Multicenter StudyInterrater reliability of the Australasian Triage Scale for mental health patients.
To evaluate interrater reliability of the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) for mental health patients in ED. ⋯ There is a need to develop and implement a validated, standardized national triage tool for mental health patients. The ATS per se is insufficient to ensure acceptable interrater reliability, particularly during busy periods in the ED, and between states. Given the influence the ATS has on key outcomes, it is imperative for this tool to be robust.
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To describe epidemiology, symptomatology, resource use and complications in patients attending the ED following gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) ingestion. ⋯ This is the largest GHB-related case series to date. Attendance rate doubled during the study, and peaked at times of lowest staffing. Poly-substance ingestion is common. Attendances are of high acuity with decreased conscious state and airway threat. With close conservative management, most recover quickly without adverse sequelae.