Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2022
Paediatric trauma imaging in a regional Queensland hospital: Do we need clearer guidance?
Paediatric trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in those aged 0-14. Anatomical and physiological differences require a specialised approach to paediatric trauma care. Medical imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT) scans, requires specific consideration because of the consequences of radiation exposure in the paediatric population. The present study compares current practice of CT scan ordering in paediatric trauma patients at a regional Australian hospital against consensus guidelines published in the UK. ⋯ Evidence-based guidelines for CT imaging in paediatric trauma are essential to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure for children. The present study has demonstrated that current practice has the potential to be improved and that decisions should involve a multidisciplinary team.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2022
Observational StudyEmergency department triage and COVID-19: Performance of the Interagency Integrated Triage Tool during a pandemic surge in Papua New Guinea.
To determine the sensitivity of the Interagency Integrated Triage Tool to identify severe and critical illness among adult patients with COVID-19. ⋯ In a resource-constrained context, the tool demonstrated reasonable sensitivity to detect severe and critical COVID-19, comparable with its reported performance for other urgent conditions.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2022
DINED (Delivery-related INjuries in the Emergency Department) part 2: A chart review of risk factors and injuries affecting food delivery riders.
This study aimed to examine patterns of injury, the impact of these injuries on patients and identification of potentially modifiable contributing factors through industry regulation reforms and education. ⋯ The majority of FDRs presenting with injuries are not Australian citizens and less than half were Medicare eligible potentially contributing to inadequate access to care especially fracture follow up. There were spikes in injuries occurring at night, weekends and during periods of pandemic associated lockdowns demonstrating an increased usage of delivery services during these times. Results highlight injury patterns experienced by delivery riders and potentially modifiable risk factors for this rapidly growing area of employment within the gig economy.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2022
Respiratory presentations and admissions at Bathurst Base Hospital emergency department: Exploring the impacts of the recent bushfire crisis.
To examine respiratory-related ED admissions and presentations at Bathurst Base Hospital during the 2019-2020 New South Wales bushfire crisis. ⋯ The impact of bushfire smoke needs to be considered in the allocation of resources in this area in future, but further research is warranted to understand the full extent of impact at the local level.