Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2011
Case ReportsMassive pericardial effusion with diastolic right ventricular compression secondary to hypothyroidism in a 73-year-old woman.
Pericardial effusion is commonly seen in patients with hypothyroidism, but a massive pericardial effusion with obvious diastolic right ventricular compression is uncommon. We herein report a case of 73-year-old woman seen in the ED with generalized weakness and hypotension. ⋯ The pericardial effusion resolved after the administration of thyroid replacement therapy. This case reveals the importance of including hypothyroidism in the differential diagnosis of pericardia effusion.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2011
Analgesic usage and reasons for emergency department attendance in ambulatory care patients with minor injury.
The aim of the present study was to determine the reasons for which patients with minor injury attend the ED, comparing those who have and have not self-administered analgesia. Secondary outcomes were to quantify the proportion of patients who present without having taken analgesia, to describe the reasons why analgesia was not taken, and to compare pain scores between the two groups. ⋯ The majority of patients who attend ED with minor injury have not taken analgesia. They come primarily for diagnosis and treatment, and often believe that their condition is too urgent to stay at home and take analgesia. Pain is usually not their main concern.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2011
ReviewResources for the management of ocular emergencies in Australia.
The aim of the present paper is to assess the practical utility of the most common print resources used by practitioners in the management of ocular emergencies. Ten print resources were identified for review (three specialty eye texts, six general emergency medicine texts and one general practice text). The main outcome measures used were the extent a text matched crucial skills criteria in clinical assessment and treatment, and usability. ⋯ Only two reflected drug current practice in Australia and provided adequate details on usage. A single comprehensive reference (print and/or web-based) for dealing with ocular emergencies in Australia is clearly needed. Additionally, training and confidence levels of eye care providers must be addressed so that the risk of misdiagnosis and mismanagement of eye emergencies is reduced.