Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2011
ReviewHow useful are laboratory investigations in the emergency department evaluation of possible osteomyelitis?
We conducted a literature review to determine which laboratory investigations are useful for the ED evaluation of osteomyelitis. Thirty-six relevant papers were identified. ⋯ In patients with any suspicion of osteomyelitis and otherwise unexplained ESR >30 mm/h and/or CRP >10-30 mg/L further definitive investigation is required. The white blood count is not helpful in the evaluation of osteomyelitis.
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This pilot study examines the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in a cohort of agricultural workers, assesses their knowledge of local emergency health services and investigates their decision-making abilities with regard to when and how they would seek help when experiencing chest pain. ⋯ This cohort of agricultural workers were at considerable risk of experiencing acute coronary events, but many would make decisions about when and how to seek medical help for chest pain that are at odds with published community guidelines. These results highlight the need for education to improve knowledge of local emergency services and address behavioural barriers to accessing care.