Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
Characteristics of emergency patients admitted to hospital with asthma: A population-based cohort study in Queensland, Australia.
Patient characteristics with exacerbation of asthma accessing care in the ED who are at risk of hospital admission have not been determined in subtropical climates. The objective of the study was to investigate the spatiotemporal burden of asthma hospital admissions across Queensland (QLD) and model risk factors for asthma hospital admission following an ED visit. ⋯ Asthma hospital admissions appear to be increasing in QLD, largely driven by utilisation of the SSU admissions for asthma. With large variation in both incidence and proportion admitted across different regions, routinely collected data can in part be used to understand risk factors for asthma-related hospital admission following an ED presentation and further inform public health policy development.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
Fever phobia in caregivers presenting to New Zealand emergency departments.
To determine the prevalence of fever phobia among caregivers of children presenting to New Zealand EDs. ⋯ Fever phobia is prevalent among caregivers of children presenting to New Zealand EDs. Opportunistic caregiver education in the ED in conjunction with public health strategies are needed to dispel undue fears and misconceptions about fever.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
Blood alcohol screening and outcomes in trauma team activation patients at a level 1 trauma centre in New Zealand.
A causal relationship between alcohol consumption and injury exists and the prevalence of harmful alcohol intakes in New Zealand adults is high. The present study investigates compliance to blood alcohol (BA) screening policy and the epidemiological profile and hospital-related outcomes of trauma team activation (TTA) patients with positive BA at a New Zealand level 1 trauma centre. ⋯ Between 2012 and 2019, Waikato Hospital demonstrated high compliance to BA screening policy for TTA patients. Appropriate alcohol awareness initiatives that focus on road safety and interpersonal violence are required to reduce the preventable prevalence and burden of alcohol-related trauma in the Waikato region.
-
Australia is rapidly moving towards 'living with COVID-19', with relaxation of some public health measures. The number of severe cases of COVID-19 may be mitigated by vaccination, but 'living with COVID-19' will be associated with higher number of patients seeking emergency care. This impending impact on the emergency care system requires recognition, monitoring and co-ordinated management. ⋯ Effective monitoring systems are required for health systems to proactively detect and respond to stresses. Additional solutions include public health messaging and clinical innovation to facilitate care of the right patient in the right place at the right time. Optimising staff numbers and morale, and efficient patient flow, are integral steps to increasing capacity within the emergency care system.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
Is COVID-19 the straw that broke the back of the emergency nursing workforce?
To explore the intentions of Australian emergency nurses to remain in or leave emergency nursing after the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. ⋯ The data suggest that approximately 1 year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, a high proportion of ED nurses intend to leave ED nursing within 5 years, which will exacerbate pre-existing shortages. Active strategies to address this are urgently needed.