Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2008
Teaching paediatric resuscitation skills in a developing country: introduction of the Advanced Paediatric Life Support course into Vietnam.
In 2001, a nationwide study revealed deficiencies in the emergency care of seriously ill and injured children in Vietnam. In response, a project was initiated to conduct the Advanced Paediatric Life Support course in Vietnam and ascertain whether this course would provide a practical and sustainable method of improving the knowledge and skills of medical and nursing staff in this area. After approval to use the course was secured and funding obtained, the project commenced in 2003. ⋯ As the skill and confidence of the Vietnamese instructors grew, the number and responsibilities of the international faculty reduced. The infrastructure now exists for the course to operate in a sustainable fashion within Vietnam. We believe that this project demonstrates that the course can be successfully modified to provide teaching in paediatric emergency care in a developing country.
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To perform a review of the efficacy of adenosine, including its potential role as first-line treatment in unstable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and its use in wide complex tachycardias and diagnosing difficult arrhythmias. The dose and administration, nature and frequency of side-effects and relevant interactions and dosage adjustments are also discussed. ⋯ There is extensive evidence showing adenosine to be efficacious at treating SVT, but no more efficacious than cheaper alternatives. More studies are required to investigate other areas of adenosine use.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2008
Assessing the impact of streaming in a regional emergency department.
To evaluate the impact of a streaming model, previously validated in metropolitan EDs, on selected performance indicators in a regional ED. ⋯ The implementation of the streaming model had an impact on the two performance indicators associated with length of stay in this regional ED, but did not have a significant impact (positive or negative) on the percentage of patients who did not wait to be seen. These results might interest other EDs in regional hospitals.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2008
Comparative StudyStreaming by case complexity: evaluation of a model for emergency department Fast Track.
To evaluate a patient flow streaming system within a teaching hospital's ED, using functional principles to separate patients into two streams on the basis of complexity rather than acuity, severity or disposition. ⋯ Key features in the success of the system included use of dedicated senior staff for Fast Track patients, and quarantining of clinical resources. The ED aiming to improve their waiting times and throughput should consider using complexity as a key criterion for triaging patients into separate streams. A low-complexity patient stream in the ED provides an ideal focus for advanced nursing practice.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2008
Australasian emergency physicians: a learning and educational needs analysis. Part Four: CPD topics desired by emergency physicians.
To report the preferences of Fellows of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine for topics they would desire for their continuing professional development (CPD). ⋯ This information may assist in the planning of future educational interventions for emergency physicians. EP seek CPD on management, educational and other non clinical skills, as well as topics relating directly to patient care.