Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
Identifying and quantifying general practice-type emergency department presentations.
This research aims to (i) identify general practice-type (GP-type) presentations to EDs in South-East Queensland, Australia and (ii) compare and quantify the clinical, socio-demographic and time-varying characteristics between GP-type and non-GP-type presentations. ⋯ Existing methods for identifying GP-type presentations have drawbacks, and modified methods are required to better identify these types of presentations. Temporal effects not previously investigated in Australian studies, such as holidays, are significantly associated with GP-type presentations. These findings aid strategic planning and interventions to support review of GP-type presentations, instead, in primary-care facilities, and such interventions may be assistive in some EDs more than others.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
ReviewReview article: Topical antibiotic treatments for acute otitis externa: Emergency care guidelines from an ear, nose and throat perspective.
Acute otitis externa (AOE), also known as 'swimmer's ear', is a common acute problem. It is one of the most common ED presentations. ⋯ There are a number of red flags associated with AOE which require consideration when treating patients with AOE. We discuss an evidence-based approach to management of AOE in the emergency setting, with indications for specialist referral.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
Observational StudyUnintentional paediatric iron poisoning: A retrospective case series.
Iron poisoning is a historically important cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality. In recent decades, public health measures have considerably reduced paediatric iron exposures. We investigated unintentional paediatric iron poisoning in children with the aim of developing an assessment approach specific for this group. ⋯ Unintentional paediatric iron poisoning is uncommon and largely benign. Suspected dose ingested is a poor predictor of toxicity. Targeting investigations and interventions to symptomatic children should reduce unnecessary assessment and management while still safely managing the exposure.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2021
Establishing determinants and quality indicators for getting home alive following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: the Australian Traumatic Brain Injury National Data Project.
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to a significant burden across Australia. However, the data required to inform targeted equitable system-level improvements in emergency TBI care do not exist. The incidence and determinants of outcomes following moderate to severe TBI in Australia remain unknown. ⋯ Furthermore, this project will establish a set of national clinical quality indicators for patients experiencing a moderate to severe TBI. The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury National Data Project will inform where to target emergency care system-wide improvements. Without baseline data, efforts are wasted.