Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2014
Demand for emergency department services in the elderly: An 11 year analysis of the Greater Sydney Area.
To describe trends in population-based rates of ED presentations in the Greater Sydney Area (GSA) and compare these between the elderly and non-elderly age groups. ⋯ A disproportionate increase in ED presentation rates and in-patient admission rates in patients aged 80 years and over was demonstrated over 11 years in the GSA. ED models of care and system wide strategies to address these demographic changes are required.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2014
Trainee perspectives on usefulness of the Trainee Research Requirement.
To determine trainee perspectives of the utility of a trainee research project (TRP) or the coursework pathway (CP) in completing the Trainee Research Requirement of the ACEM. ⋯ More ACEM trainees are undertaking the CP compared with a TRP. The CP was associated with better self-reported fulfilment of the ACEM learning objectives for research. There is scope for the ACEM to improve the experience of trainees wishing to undertake their own research projects.
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The ongoing challenge for ED leaders is to remain abreast of system-wide changes that impact on the day-to-day management of their departments. Changes to the funding model creates another layer of complexity and this introductory paper serves as the beginning of a discussion about the way in which EDs are funded and how this can and will impact on business decisions, models of care and resource allocation within Australian EDs. Furthermore it is evident that any funding model today will mature and change with time, and moves are afoot to refine and contextualise ED funding over the medium term. This perspective seeks to provide a basis of understanding for our current and future funding arrangements in Australian EDs.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2014
Mild traumatic brain injury in children: Management practices in the acute care setting.
Accurate diagnosis, treatment and follow up of children suffering mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is important as post-concussive symptoms and long-term disability might occur. This research explored the decisions clinicians make in their assessment and management of children with MTBI in acute care settings, and identified barriers and enablers to the delivery of best-practice care. ⋯ Opportunities exist to improve care for children who present in acute care settings following mild traumatic brain injury. These include having up-to-date guidelines that are consistent across acute care settings; providing clearer pathways for referral and follow up; targeting continuing medical education towards potential complications; and providing computerised decision support so that assessment and management are conducted systematically.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2014
Observational StudyProspective observational study of emergent endotracheal intubation practice in the intensive care unit and emergency department of an Australian regional tertiary hospital.
The present study aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of intubation occurring in the ICU and ED of an Australian tertiary teaching hospital. ⋯ The majority of airways are managed by ICU and ED consultants and trainees, with success rates and AE rates comparable with other published studies.