Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2018
ReviewReview article: Best practice management of common ankle and foot injuries in the emergency department (part 2 of the musculoskeletal injuries rapid review series).
Ankle and foot injuries are the most common musculoskeletal injuries presenting to Australian EDs and are associated with a large societal and economic impact. The quality of ED care provided to patients with ankle and foot fractures or soft tissue injuries is critical to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patient. This rapid review investigated best practice for the assessment and management of common ankle and foot injuries in the ED. ⋯ The search revealed 1242 articles, of which 71 were included in the review (n = 22 primary articles, n = 35 systematic reviews and n = 14 guidelines). This rapid review provides clinicians managing fractures and soft tissue injuries of the ankle and foot in the ED a summary of the best available evidence to enhance the quality of care for optimal patient outcomes. Following a thorough history and physical examination, including the application of the Ottawa ankle rules, ED clinicians should not only provide a diagnosis, but rate the severity of soft tissue injuries, or stability of fractures and dislocations, which are the pivotal decision points in guiding ED treatment, specialist referral and the follow-up plan.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2018
Prehospital transfusion of red cell concentrates in a paramedic-staffed helicopter emergency medical service.
The optimal volume and type of intravenous fluid for the treatment of blood loss in the prehospital setting is controversial. The use of red cell concentrates (RCCs) may be associated with improved outcomes; however, the administration of blood products is limited to physicians in many jurisdictions. We sought to describe the characteristics of RCC transfusions in a paramedic-staffed helicopter emergency medical system in Victoria, Australia. ⋯ Prehospital transfusion of RCC by paramedics is feasible. Future studies should compare the outcomes of patients receiving prehospital RCCs with outcomes for patients in which RCCs are administered in hospital.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2018
Non-invasive ventilation use in status asthmaticus: 16 years of experience in a tertiary intensive care.
To describe the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in adults presenting with status asthmaticus to Middlemore Hospital Critical Care Complex (CCC, South Auckland, New Zealand) from 2000 to 2015. ⋯ The use of NIV appears to be safe and effective in patients with severe asthma, including selected patients with an altered level of consciousness. NIV was well tolerated with a low need for subsequent intubation.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2018
ReviewReview article: Sepsis in the emergency department - Part 3: Treatment.
Although comprehensive guidelines for treatment of sepsis exist, current research continues to refine and revise several aspects of management. Imperatives for rapid administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics for all patients with sepsis may not be supported by contemporary data. Many patients may be better served by a more judicious approach allowing consideration of investigation results and evidence-based guidelines. ⋯ Measurement of quality care in sepsis should incorporate quality of blood cultures and guideline-appropriateness of antibiotics, as well as timeliness of therapy. Local audit is an essential and effective means to improve practice. Multicentre consolidation of data through agreed minimum sepsis data sets would provide baseline quality data, required for the design and evaluation of interventions.