Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2018
Do instability markers predict satisfactory reduction and requirement for later surgery in emergency department patients with wrist fracture?
Research suggests that the presence of instability markers in patients with displaced distal radial fractures is associated with poorer outcome. Our aims were to determine whether the presence of previously defined instability markers could predict the likelihood of successful ED reduction and requirement for a secondary procedure after ED reduction. ⋯ Instability risk factors are common in patients with wrist fractures requiring reduction in ED. The number of instability factors is not a strong predictor of the performance of secondary procedures.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2018
Realism in paediatric emergency simulations: A prospective comparison of in situ, low fidelity and centre-based, high fidelity scenarios.
To measure scenario participant and faculty self-reported realism, engagement and learning for the low fidelity, in situ simulations and compare this to high fidelity, centre-based simulations. ⋯ Some aspects of in situ simulations may be less 'real' than centre-based simulations, but there was no significant difference in self-reported engagement or learning by scenario participants. Low fidelity, in situ simulation provides adequate realism for engagement and learning.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2018
Multicenter Study Observational StudyEffect of known history of heart disease on survival outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
We aimed to investigate the effect of known heart disease on post-out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival outcomes, and its association with factors influencing survival. ⋯ Known heart disease independently predicted poorer post-OHCA survival. This study may provide information to guide future prospective studies specifically looking at family education for patients with heart disease and the effect on OHCA outcomes.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2018
Lessons learnt from incidents involving the airway and breathing reported from Australasian emergency departments.
To review incident reports relating to problems encountered during the ED management of patients with 'airway or breathing' problems, with the aim of finding and highlighting common themes within these rare events, and making recommendations to further improve patient safety in the areas in which deficiencies have been identified. ⋯ Recommendations for improving preparedness of ED staff and facilities have been made for each of the problem areas identified with respect to clinical practice, equipment, communication and clinical process. Analysis of incidents from the Australasian Emergency Medicine Events Register allows clusters of like-events to be identified and characterised, providing the possibility of getting a better idea of how problems present and progress, with some information about contributing factors, characteristics and context. This will pave the way for earlier and better detection of life-threatening problems and the development and reinforcement of preventive and corrective strategies.