Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2018
ReviewReview article: Idle 'just-in-case' peripheral intravenous cannulas in the emergency department: Is something wrong?
Peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) placement is often an essential emergency medicine precursor to lifesaving treatment, but it is not harmless. Patients frequently and without proper consideration of the consequences receive a 'just-in-case' PIVCs as part of their assessment and admission, which, in a not insignificant number of patients, remains unused or idle in situ. We reviewed the literature and performed a thematic analysis of data collated from 21 articles published in the past 24 years regarding redundant PIVCs. ⋯ The prevalence of PIVC insertions and idle PIVCs was heterogeneous among these publications; the median ED idle PIVC prevalence value was 32.4%. This practice is associated with compromised patient safety, squandered finances and misdirected practitioner time. Cultures of convenience and shortfalls in PIVC-related education facilitate the prevalence of idle PIVCs.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2018
ReviewReview article: Best practice management of common knee injuries in the emergency department (part 3 of the musculoskeletal injuries rapid review series).
Knee injuries are a common presentation to the ED and are often difficult to assess and definitively diagnose due to the patient's acute pain, effusion and guarding. The quality of ED care provided to patients with fractures or soft tissue injuries of the knee is critical to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patient. This rapid review investigated best practice for the assessment and management of common knee injuries in the ED. ⋯ This rapid review provides clinicians managing fractures and soft tissue injuries of the knee in the ED, a summary of the best available evidence to enhance the quality of care for optimal patient outcomes. There is consistent evidence to support undertaking a thorough history and physical examination, including the application of special tests and clinical decision rules for imaging. In the undifferentiated knee injury, expedited follow up and further imaging is recommended to improve patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2018
Community asthma management of emergency department patients: A pilot study of adherence with national consensus guidelines.
We aimed to determine whether the outpatient management of ED patients with asthma adheres to Australia's Asthma Consensus Guidelines. Adult patients, under treatment for asthma, were administered a validated questionnaire. Data on their outpatient management were collected and analysed descriptively. ⋯ Fourteen patients used no preventer medication. Patients were only able to identify a mean of 3.4 asthma triggers. Most patients' management does not adhere to Australian guidelines.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2018
Serum mast cell tryptase measurements: Sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of anaphylaxis in emergency department patients with shock or hypoxaemia.
Clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis is principally based on symptoms and signs. However, particularly for patients with atypical symptoms, laboratory confirmation of anaphylaxis would be useful. This study investigated the utility of mast cell tryptase, an available clinical biomarker, for differentiating anaphylaxis from other causes of critical illness, which can also involve mast cell activation. ⋯ While peak and delta tryptase concentrations were higher in anaphylaxis than other forms of critical illness, the test lacks sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, mast cell tryptase values alone cannot be used to establish the diagnosis of anaphylaxis in the ED. In particular, tryptase has limited utility for differentiating anaphylactic from non-anaphylactic shock.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2018
Behavioural assessment unit improves outcomes for patients with complex psychosocial needs.
We aimed to assess the impact of a new model of care for patients presenting to the ED with acute behavioural disturbance. ⋯ A unit specifically designed to improve the care of patients requiring prolonged ED care due to mental illness and/or intoxication reduces the time spent in the ED and the use of some restrictive interventions. We recommend this model of care to EDs that care for this complex and challenging group of patients.