Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2021
Residential aged care homes: Why do they call '000'? A study of the emergency prehospital care of older people living in residential aged care homes.
To describe the clinical characteristics, medical interventions and patterns of ambulance service use related to the emergency, prehospital care of older people living in residential aged care (RAC) homes. ⋯ This is the first study to describe emergency prehospital care, case-mix and intervention of frail, older people living in RAC. These results demonstrate a clinically complex group of people with high rates of comorbidity, cognitive impairment and polypharmacy. These valuable data will inform education and training of prehospital clinicians, assist in targeting preventative medicine and primary care programmes and further development of alternate, acute and emergency care pathways for this unique patient group.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2021
Development and implementation of a Pacific Island centred COVID-19 Healthcare Worker Safety Guide.
Healthcare workers in Pacific Island Countries face unique workload and infection control hazards because of limited resources, cultural practices and local disease burden. In the context of COVID-19, concern around healthcare worker safety escalated in the region, triggering the need for a relevant resource. ⋯ We recommend a creative approach to facilitate meaningful communication with this group of clinicians, including low resolution technology and use of social media platforms.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2021
Emergency Department presentations in the Southern District of New Zealand during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
To assess changes in presentations to EDs during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the Southern Region of New Zealand. ⋯ Within the SDHB, patient volumes reduced during levels 4 and 3 of our lockdown, with reduced low-acuity presentations. High-acuity patient numbers also declined. Trauma, mental health, alcohol-related, infectious respiratory and acute coronary syndrome presentations declined while cerebrovascular accident and appendicitis numbers showed little to no change.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2021
Implementation of point-of-care ROTEM® into a trauma major haemorrhage protocol: A before and after study.
The aim of the present study was to assess transfusion practices with the implementation of a targeted viscoelastic haemostatic assay (VHA) (ROTEM®) guided coagulation management programme into a major haemorrhage protocol for trauma patients requiring ICU admission, starting from time of arrival in the ED. ⋯ Although there was no overall reduction of packed red blood cell usage, a change in the pattern of administration of other blood products was observed with the implementation of a targeted VHA (ROTEM®) guided coagulation management programme. Larger studies are needed to further define the role of early VHA testing to guide correction of trauma-induced coagulopathy and the effect on clinical outcomes.
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This article reviews the pathophysiology of acute ischaemic priapism, as well as the role of medications as an adjunct to definitive treatment. A clear procedure for aspiration is described.