Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2023
Observational StudyIncidence of traumatic brain injuries in head-injured children with seizures.
Incidence and short-term outcomes of clinically important traumatic brain injury (ciTBI) in head-injured children presenting to ED with post-traumatic seizure (PTS) is not described in current literature. ⋯ PTS was uncommon in head-injured children presenting to the ED but associated with an increased risk of ciTBI in those with reduced GCS on arrival.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2023
Accuracy and clinical use of biliary point-of-care ultrasound: A retrospective cohort study.
To assess the utilisation and diagnostic accuracy of biliary point-of-care ultrasounds (POCUS) performed and archived in a single New Zealand ED. ⋯ Biliary POCUS was primarily utilised for and was accurate for the detection of gallstones. Further quality assurance and training could be directed at earlier credentialing to address technical errors and improved documentation of POCUS findings.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2023
Snapshot of suspected acute coronary syndrome assessment processes in the emergency department: A national cross-sectional survey.
The Snapshot of Suspected ACS Assessment (SSAASY) study aims to describe the assessment processes for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Australian EDs, and to compare these processes with the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (NHFA/CSANZ) guidelines. ⋯ The SSAASY study reported the strategies used to assess suspected ACS. In line with current NHFA/CSANZ guidelines, highly sensitive troponin assays are widely utilised. However, serial sampling intervals were longer than guideline recommendations, suggesting a translational gap between guidelines and clinical practice.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2023
Outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest patients who underwent advanced life support.
Survival following a traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) remains poor despite research focused on specific management and guideline adaptation. Previous research has identified factors including age, arresting rhythm, injury severity and distance from hospital to be associated with prehospital TCA outcomes. The present study aimed to review the local incidence of TCA to inform local practice within a mature trauma system. ⋯ These results support the identification and immediate management of TCA. No patients survived if they did not achieve ROSC by hospital arrival, questioning the role for aggressive management beyond the ED in this cohort. Future research will focus on the identification of patients with potentially positive survival outcomes and further define futile intervention factors.
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To report the frequency of electric scooter-related trauma and association with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. ⋯ Urgent preventive measures with a focus on reducing AOD exposure and promoting of helmet use is indicated.