Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2015
ReviewRocket launcher: A novel reduction technique for posterior hip dislocations and review of current literature.
We provide a review of literature on reduction techniques for posterior hip dislocations and present our experience with a novel technique for the reduction of acute posterior hip dislocations in the ED, 'the rocket launcher' technique. ⋯ We have described a reduction technique for posterior hip dislocations. Placing the patient's knee over the shoulder, and holding the lower leg like a 'Rocket Launcher' allow the physician's shoulder to work as a fulcrum, thus mechanically and ergonomically superior to standard techniques.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2015
Observational StudyWeight estimation in paediatric resuscitation: A hefty issue in New Zealand.
To test the accuracy of weight estimation methods currently used in New Zealand to predict a child's weight in emergency resuscitation. ⋯ For children under 143 cm in height, the Broselow-Luten tape outperforms other weight estimation methods, accurately estimating weight in approximately three out of four children. The age-based estimation methods performed poorly overall, with variation by age and ethnicity.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2015
Multicenter StudyImproved outcomes for emergency department patients whose ambulance off-stretcher time is not delayed.
To describe and compare characteristics and outcomes of patients who arrive by ambulance to the ED. We aimed to (i) compare patients with a delayed ambulance offload time (AOT) >30 min with those who were not delayed; and (ii) identify predictors of an ED length of stay (LOS) of >4 h for ambulance-arriving patients. ⋯ Patients arriving to the ED via ambulance and offloaded within 30 min experience better outcomes than those delayed. Given that offload delay is a modifiable predictor of an ED LOS of >4 h, targeted improvements in the ED arrival process for ambulance patients might be useful.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2015
Asia, Australia and New Zealand Dyspnoea in Emergency Departments (AANZDEM) study: Rationale, design and analysis.
Shortness of breath is a common reason for ED attendance. This international study aims to describe the epidemiology of dyspnoea presenting to EDs in the South East Asia-Pacific region, to compare disease patterns across regions, to understand how conditions are investigated and treated, and to assess quality of care. ⋯ This novel study will explore dyspnoea from the viewpoint of the patient's symptom (shortness of breath) rather than that of a single disease. The results will provide robust data about the epidemiology, investigation, treatment and disposition of this diverse patient group. The obtained data also have the potential to inform service planning and to quantify the proportion of patients with mixed cardiac and respiratory disease.