Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Virtual Toxicology Service decreases the average length of stay of poisoned patients and saves bed days.
We aimed to assess the impact a Virtual Toxicology Service had on the ALOS of poisoned patients. ⋯ The introduction of a Virtual Toxicology Service appeared to be associated with a decreased ALOS of poisoned patients.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
The shock index predicts in-flight blood transfusion in aeromedical trauma patients.
To define the utility of the Triage Revised Trauma Score (TRTS), GCS/Age/arterial Pressure (GAP) score, and shock index (SI) in predicting the need for in-flight blood product administration in civilian trauma patients transported by an aeromedical platform. ⋯ The SI demonstrates favourable test characteristics for predicting the need for in-flight blood product administration. Prospective validation of these results is warranted.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Observational StudyComputed tomography pulmonary angiogram ordering, adherence to decision rules and yield in the emergency department: An observational study.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) frequently requires diagnosis through CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). Appropriate application of evidence-based clinical decision tools can reduce unnecessary CTPAs. This study assessed adherence to and the efficacy of various aspects of the Queensland Health suspected PE diagnostic pathway, including Wells score, PE rule out criteria (PERC) and age-adjusted D-dimer interpretation. ⋯ Guideline adherence can be improved, and adherence to existing clinical decision tools may reduce unnecessary CTPA ordering and increase diagnostic yield. The use of the age-adjusted D-dimer had good sensitivity, whereas the new PTP approach will require further prospective research.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Observational StudyGender differences in female and male Australian football concussion injury: A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations.
To examine gender differences in Australian football (AF)-related concussion presentations to EDs in regional Australia. ⋯ Concussion rates for community-level AF presentations to regional EDs were similar between genders. Serious head injury was rare, although hospital admission for observation was common. Concurrent injuries were common, with associated neck injury most often identified. Match play accounted for the majority of head injuries.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Cost-effectiveness analysis of an ambulance service-operated specialised cardiac vehicle with mobile extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation capacity for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Queensland, Australia.
Extracorporeal CPR (E-CPR) has been primarily limited to the in-hospital setting. A few systems around the world have implemented pre-hospital mobile E-CPR in the form of a dedicated cardiac vehicle fitted with specialised equipment and clinicians required for the performance of E-CPR on-scene. However, evidence of the outcomes and cost-effectiveness of mobile E-CPR remain to be established. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical mobile E-CPR vehicle operated by Queensland Ambulance Service in the state of Queensland, Australia. ⋯ Pre-hospital E-CPR may be cost-effective. Successful implementation of a pre-hospital E-CPR programme requires substantial planning, training, logistics and operational adjustments.