Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2023
Implementation of an integrated emergency department acute atrial fibrillation pathway safely reduces cardioversions and hospitalisations: A comparative pre-post study.
Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) accounts for high rates of ED presentations and hospital admissions. There is increasing evidence to suggest that delaying cardioversion for acute uncomplicated AF is safe, and that many patients will spontaneously revert to sinus rhythm (SR). We conducted a before-and-after evaluation of AF/AFL management after a change in ED pathway using a conservative 'rate-and-wait' approach, incorporating next working day outpatient clinic follow-up and delayed cardioversion if required. ⋯ Using a conservative 'rate-and-wait' strategy with early follow-up for patients presenting to ED with AF/AFL can safely reduce unnecessary cardioversions and avoidable hospitalisations.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2023
ReviewClosing the miscommunication gap: A user guide to developing picture-based communication tools for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in emergency departments.
To document an illustration-based methodology for culturally safe communication between Indigenous patients and clinicians in an urban ED. ⋯ Co-design methodologies can guide improvements in culturally safe clinical communication with First Nations patients in EDs.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2023
Emergency short stay area improves access and flow in a rural hospital.
Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital is a rural (MM3) 150-bed hospital in Nowra, New South Wales, whose ED has evolved to a FACEM-led model of care (MOC). It has never had an emergency short stay area (ESSA). The objective of the present study was to pilot an ESSA and determine whether this MOC would increase the operational performance of the ED. ⋯ The introduction of the ESSA significantly improved the ETP of admitted patients. Ongoing refinement of the ESSA admission processes, as well as the lifting of certain COVID-19 restrictions, could show even greater improvements in this and other areas. Ongoing research in this field is necessary, as well as a more detailed cost-benefit analysis.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2023
Generative artificial intelligence: Can ChatGPT write a quality abstract?
ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot which may have a role in medicine and science. We investigated if the freely available version of ChatGPT can produce a quality conference abstract using a fictitious but accurately calculated data table as applied by a non-medically trained person. ⋯ ChatGPT or similar programmes, with careful review of the product by authors, may become a valuable scientific writing tool. The scientific and medical use of generative artificial intelligence, however, raises many questions.