Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2014
Case ReportsAortic dissection presenting an acute onset of neuroradicular syndrome complicated by coeliac and superior mesenteric artery embolism.
Aortic dissection is a catastrophic medical emergency with complex and changeable clinical presentations. We report a case of aortic dissection complicated by coeliac and superior mesenteric artery embolism, which is hardly been reported till date.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2014
Peripheral intravenous catheter duration and failure in paediatric acute care: A prospective cohort study.
Children admitted to hospital commonly require peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) for treatment. This study sought to address a gap in the literature about current practice in the securement and dressing of PIVCs in paediatric acute care, and to ascertain the duration and failure of these devices. ⋯ Observed failure rates were high for a clinically essential device; however, there is no established rate of acceptability against which the results can be benchmarked against to facilitate effectiveness of practice. Many PIVCs appeared to remain in place longer than needed. Dressing and securement practice was homogenous. PIVC placement in the antecubital fossa should be minimised to reduce the risk of paediatric PIVC failure.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2014
Prehospital paediatric burn care: New priorities in paramedic reporting.
The present study evaluates the prehospital care of paediatric burn patients in Queensland (QLD). As first aid (FA) treatment has been shown to affect burn progression and outcome, the FA treatment and the risk of associated hypothermia in paediatric patients were specifically examined in the context of paramedic management of burn patients. ⋯ Despite FA and patient temperatures being important prognostic factors for burn patients, paramedic documentation of these was often incomplete, and there was no consistent use of burns dressings.