Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2024
Assessing the predictors for paediatric intensive care unit for inter-hospital transfer patients on high-flow nasal cannula or continuous positive airway pressure ventilation at a tertiary Australian paediatric hospital.
The aim of the present study was to assess the predictors of need for paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission for inter-hospital transfer patients to a tertiary paediatric hospital ED on high flow (HF) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation. ⋯ We have demonstrated that children who require CPAP to manage their respiratory disease are more likely to require PICU care on transfer to the tertiary paediatric hospital. In addition, those patients being transferred from secondary metropolitan hospitals after a trial of HF are also likely to require PICU care. This suggests that these patients should be directly admitted to PICU, allowing for improved patient experience and flow as well as reducing unnecessary ED resource utilisation.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2024
Observational StudyEvaluating soft collars in pre-hospital cervical spine immobilisation: A cohort study on neurological outcomes, patient comfort and paramedic perspectives.
Cervical spinal immobilisation procedures often include rigid cervical collars which, despite associated complications, may provide less immobilisation than previously thought. The present study reports the incidence of worsening neurological outcomes following soft collar application, and additionally reports patient comfort, compliance with spinal immobilisation, and paramedic perspectives on usage. ⋯ Pre-hospital use of soft collars does not appear to increase the risk of significant injury. Patients found these devices relatively comfortable, and clinicians reported overall ease of use with good patient compliance with immobility directives.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2024
Australia's first cardiac emergency department: Patient profile, activity and performance in the initial 6 months.
To profile the initial 6-month experience at the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) cardiac emergency (CE). The primary objective was to describe VHH CE patient characteristics, including presenting complaint, final diagnosis and disposition. Secondary objectives were to report on patient numbers, patient source and quality indicator performance including ambulance off-load by 40 min, waiting time and length of stay (LOS). ⋯ The population predominantly had cardiovascular disease as expected. Some performance indicators, including ED LOS, were identified as requiring intervention.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2024
Ocular trauma in badminton: A 5-year review of badminton-related eye injury emergency department presentations.
To examine the nature and severity of badminton-related ocular injuries in Melbourne, Australia. ⋯ Hyphaema, commotio retinae and traumatic uveitis were the most commonly diagnosed injuries. The majority of patients with badminton-related eye injuries required medical treatment, and some necessitated surgical intervention. To mitigate these risks, there is a pressing need to develop an eye safety policy for Australian badminton players, and players should exercise caution when wearing spectacles during play to prevent potential penetrating eye injuries.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2024
Process and implementation evaluation of a virtual hospital model of care for low back pain (Back@Home).
Low back pain was the sixth most common reason for an ED visit in 2022-2023 in Australia, one-third of these patients were subsequently admitted to hospital. Therefore, we have assessed whether some patients could be diverted to alternate clinical pathways, via admission to a virtual hospital (rpavirtual), and be cared for remotely in their own homes. ⋯ Preliminary findings suggest that this model of care is a safe, acceptable, and feasible alternative to hospitalisation for non-serious low back pain, in a select cohort of patients meeting inclusion criteria. Further data collection will inform whether Back@Home has had an impact on length of stay or traditional admission rates.