Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2022
Audit of ultrasound usage in emergency departments in greater metropolitan Brisbane.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine identifies five ultrasound applications which the College deem core to the practice of emergency medicine but there is scant information as to the uptake of ultrasound or the qualification of users. This study aims to determine the percentage of ED physicians in one metropolitan area who utilise ultrasound for core diagnostic and procedural applications in participating hospitals and the percentage of users who have been formally assessed in any ultrasound application. ⋯ While use of ultrasound in some applications is widespread, few users have had their skills assessed. Assessment being a routine part of structured training, it cannot be assumed that these users can competently use ultrasound for procedural or diagnostic applications.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2022
Unplanned blood use within 24 hours of emergency department presentation: A cohort study in an ageing population.
This research aims to elucidate drivers of blood use in an older population, with a focus on unplanned transfusions following ED presentation. ⋯ Unplanned blood use accounted for 28% of annual hospital blood consumption. Blood component use increased with age and was greatest in older men. A significant burden of anaemia treatment was identified by the ED.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2022
Observational StudyCharacteristics and outcome of patients transported by police to emergency departments under section 351 of the Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic).
To determine characteristics, precipitating circumstances, clinical care, outcome and disposition of patients brought to the ED under section 351 (s351, police detention and transport) powers of the Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic) (MHAV). ⋯ Most patients brought to ED under s351 of the MHAV had expressed intention to self-harm, did not require medical intervention and were discharged home. It could be questioned whether the current application of s351 is consistent with the least restrictive principles of the MHAV, especially as there is no apparent monitoring or reporting of the use of these powers. There were a concerning number of patients with multiple s351 events over a short period.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2022
Impact on patient management of non-mydriatic fundus photography compared to direct ophthalmoscopy in a regional Australian emergency department.
To investigate the management impact of non-mydriatic fundus photography (NMFP) implementation for appropriate ED patients; compare the diagnostic accuracy of direct ophthalmoscopy (DO) and NMFP, and determine the prevalence of fundus pathology in a regional Australian ED. ⋯ The addition of NMFP images can significantly impact the management of ED patients requiring fundus examination, facilitating expedited and optimised patient care. NMFP improves ECs diagnostic acumen for fundus pathology over DO examination and telehealth specialist review is important for diagnostic accuracy. There is a clinically important prevalence of fundus pathology in this regional ED setting.