Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2023
Observational StudyChimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: Prospective observational study of unplanned emergency department presentations.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is an emerging treatment for refractory hematologic malignancy. Unplanned ED presentations following CAR-T present the increasing need for an integrated model of care that allows for the early recognition of its specific complications. ⋯ If CAR-T therapy is to be used more widely especially in an outpatient model of care, a standardised ED model of care for recognition of specific complications is needed.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2023
Making clear and effective communication SOuND BETTeR for patients with communication barriers.
The consequences of ineffective communication between patients and clinicians in the ED range from frustration to significant adverse events. Unfortunately, scenarios where we are unable to understand what our patient is saying to us are common, due to a multitude of factors including acute illness, disability and patient diversity. Current communication aids can be difficult to access and use in the Emergency setting due to lack of physical resources, specific training and time. ⋯ The tool can effectively and quickly identify important needs in patients with expressive communication barriers such as those with aphasia, facial trauma and on non-invasive ventilation. In addition, the tool can be modified for use in patients with non-English speaking backgrounds. At this stage the tool has not yet been prospectively validated.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2023
Comment Observational StudyOpioid poisoning in Newcastle over the last three decades: From heroin to prescription opioids.
Opioid-related harm has risen in recent decades, but limited research describes the clinical burden of opioid poisoning to Australian EDs. We aimed to investigate hospital presentations with opioid poisoning over three decades. ⋯ Opioid presentations increased in number and severity over three decades as the type of opioid changed. Oxycodone is currently the main opioid of concern. Methadone poisoning was the most severe.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2023
ReviewReview article: Scoping review of the characteristics and outcomes of adults presenting to the emergency department during heatwaves.
As a result of climate change heatwaves are expected to increase in frequency and intensity and will have detrimental impacts on human health globally. EDs are often the critical point of care for acute heat illnesses and other conditions associated with heat exposure. Existing literature has focused on heatwave-related hospitalisation and mortality. ⋯ Outcomes including hospitalisation and mortality rates after ED admissions showed positive associations with heatwaves. The heatwaves resulting from climate change will place increasing demands on EDs providing care for increasingly susceptible populations. Significant public heatwave planning across multiple sectors is required to reduce the risk of overwhelming EDs with these patients.