Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2021
Observational StudyEffect of age and comorbidity on the ability of quick-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score to predict outcome in emergency department patients with suspected infection.
To determine if a combination of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and quick-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score is superior to qSOFA alone for predicting the outcome of ED patients with suspected infection. ⋯ This generates the hypothesis that age and comorbid disease status augment the qSOFA score for predicting adverse outcome among patients with suspected infection in the ED. The results may reflect the predominance of these factors in determining suitability for admission to ICU. Reported limitations of qSOFA to detect the risk of adverse outcome may reflect the influence of unmeasured patient factors.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2021
Investigating the prevalence of intimate partner violence victimisation in women presenting to the emergency department in suicidal crisis.
To investigate the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and frequency of victimisation questioning by hospital staff in women presenting to EDs for suicide-related complaints and injuries. ⋯ Findings suggest a large proportion of women seeking support for suicide in the ED are affected by IPV, although few are asked about abuse experiences. Victimisation is associated with complex health issues and heightened mortality risk, which carry important implications for patient-care. Findings support routine ED screening and can be applied to stratify risk within IPV responses.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2021
Planning for the Next Pandemic: Reflections on the Early Phase of the Australian COVID-19 Public Health Response from the Emergency Department.
EDs play a crucial role as frontline health services throughout public health emergencies, including pandemics. The strength of the Australian public health response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has mitigated the impact of the pandemic on clinical services, but there has still been a substantial impact on EDs and the health system. ⋯ Notwithstanding, the remarkable efforts of healthcare workers across the health system, COVID-19 has uncovered structural and planning challenges and highlighted weaknesses and strengths of the Australian federation. In anticipating future pandemics and other public health threats, particularly in the face of climate change, hard-won lessons from the COVID-19 response should be incorporated in future planning, policies, practice and advocacy.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2021
Where are children seen in Australian emergency departments? Implications for research efforts.
With most paediatric emergency research in Australia conducted at tertiary EDs, it is important to understand how presentations differ between those at tertiary paediatric EDs and all other EDs. ⋯ The present study identified key areas of difference in paediatric presentations between tertiary paediatric EDs and other EDs. It is vital to broaden paediatric ED research beyond tertiary paediatric centres, to ensure relevance and generalisability.