Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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To compare access and utilisation of EDs in Queensland public hospitals between people who speak only English at home and those who speak another language at home. ⋯ This study showed that there was a significant association between lower utilisation of emergency care and speaking languages other than English at home. Further researches are needed using in-depth methodology to investigate if there are language barriers in accessing emergency care in Queensland.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2013
Improvement in the accuracy of references in the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia.
To study any change in reference accuracy in the Australasian emergency medicine journal (now known as Emergency Medicine Australasia), in the 10 years since a previous analysis was undertaken. ⋯ This paper demonstrates a significant improvement in the accuracy of references in the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia over the past decade. This paper did not identify the reasons for this improvement, but potential causes might include the introduction of a web-based peer review and manuscript submission process, as well as improved reference bibliography systems by authors. In addition, an increase in the overall standard of paper submitted to the journal might have contributed to this improvement.
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To describe the mechanism, injury pattern and management of women who present to the ED with non-obstetric vulval trauma. ⋯ Non-obstetric vulval injuries are uncommon (incidence 3.7%). All cases require assessment for vaginal, urethral, anal and bony pelvis injuries. This might require examination under anaesthesia. Conservative management of haematomas in the absence of acute haematoma expansion is favoured. The need to screen for sexually transmissible infections and pregnancy is important. Social worker and psychological support is important to reduce the incidence of long-term psychological problems.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2013
Case ReportsBehavioural disturbance requiring medical referral: A case of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in the emergency department.
A 17-year-old woman presented to the ED with behavioural disturbance and psychotic features. Brief dystonic jerks were noted so she was referred to the medical team. ⋯ Immunotherapy was instituted early and the clinical outcome was excellent. It is important to consider this condition in young women presenting with acute behavioural or psychotic symptoms.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2013
Factors affecting length of stay for women presenting with early pregnancy complications to a public hospital emergency department.
This study aimed to determine factors associated with length of stay (LOS) for women presenting with early pregnancy complications to a public hospital ED. In particular, we sought to investigate the impact the involvement of the Clinical Midwife Consultant (CMC), specialising in early pregnancy care, had on the ED LOS. ⋯ This study was able to show factors significantly associated with ED LOS, many of which are not modifiable. The involvement of the CMC reduced LOS, whereas requiring an ultrasound assessment increased LOS. Thus, improvement could be achieved by greater access to a CMC and more rapid access to ultrasound services.