Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Somatic symptom and related disorders in a tertiary paediatric hospital: Characteristics of ED use prior to admission.
Somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs) are complex disorders that are commonly encountered in tertiary paediatric settings. Despite this, little is known about ED use prior to hospital admission. We aimed to describe the pattern of ED use in a cohort of children and adolescents who were subsequently admitted to hospital with SSRD and to identify factors associated with ED presentations. ⋯ Children and adolescents with SSRD who go on to have a hospital admission present frequently to EDs, especially in the setting of pain symptoms. Training of ED clinicians in diagnosing SSRD appears indicated, as is the development of local care pathways that may obviate the need for hospital admission in at least some patients.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Adverse events and paramedic interventions during extended ground transport in a rural pharmaco-invasive STEMI program.
Although guidelines recommend angiography and coronary intervention occur within 24 h of thrombolysis when percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not available within 120 min, this target is difficult to achieve in rural and remote areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. ⋯ The primary study showed a significant reduction in time from first clinical contact to arrival at the PCI hospital. In this secondary analysis, we demonstrate that the rate of adverse events during long-distance road transport is low, the adverse events are mostly minor in nature and are within the scope of paramedic practice to manage.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Factors associated with extended length of stay for paediatric mental health presentations to EDs in South Western Sydney, Australia.
This study aimed to determine the factors associated with extended length of stay (LOS) for paediatric mental health (MH)-related presentations to the EDs in South Western Sydney (SWS). ⋯ Our findings highlight the need for equitable distribution of resources directed towards at-risk CYP to improve MH outcomes and reduce health system burden.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Impact of the XVII Pacific Games on the National Referral Hospital Emergency Department, Solomon Islands.
The XVII Pacific Games was held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in 2023 and was attended by competitors from 24 Pacific nations. The National Referral Hospital (NRH) is the sole tertiary hospital and largest emergency department (ED) in the Solomon Islands, located in the capital city, Honiara, and was the designated referral hospital for the Pacific Games. ⋯ Planned mass gathering events can provide opportunities for EDs to increase workforce capacity and strengthen systems, but proper preparedness is required to minimise additional strain on already busy departments.
-
The aim of the present study was to quantify research outputs after completing a Coursework Pathway (CP). ⋯ A substantial proportion of trainees who completed the CP published subsequent research. This provides a measure for emergency clinicians undertaking research projects after completing the CP.