Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2024
Examining food insecurity in a regional New Zealand emergency department: A cross-sectional study.
To determine the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among patients in a regional New Zealand ED, factors associated with FI and feasibility of an ED-based FI screening programme with voluntary social work (SW) follow up. ⋯ FI was prevalent among patients in a regional NZ ED. An ED-based FI screening programme with voluntary SW follow up was feasible and acceptable to ED patients.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2024
Renal disease is not associated with delays in hyperacute stroke management in South Australia.
The aims of the present study were to determine how renal disease is associated with the time to receive hyperacute stroke care. ⋯ The present study shows that in protocolised settings there were no significant delays in hyperacute stroke management for patients with renal disease.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2024
End-of-life decision-making in the emergency department and intensive care unit: Health professionals' perspectives on and knowledge of the law in Queensland.
To investigate ED and intensive care unit healthcare professionals' perspectives and knowledge of the law that underpins end-of-life decision-making in Queensland, Australia. ⋯ The legal framework that supports end-of-life decision-making for adults who lack decision-making capacity has been in place for more than two decades. Despite frequently being involved in making or enacting these decisions, gaps in the legal knowledge of healthcare professionals who work in EDs and intensive care units in Queensland are evident. Further research to better understand how to improve knowledge and application of the law is warranted.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2024
Observational StudyCore temperature following pre-hospital induction of anaesthesia in trauma patients.
Hypothermia is a well-recognised finding in trauma patients, which can occur even in warmer climates. It is an independent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality. It is associated with pre-hospital intubation, although the reasons for this are likely to be multifactorial. Core temperature drop after induction of anaesthesia is a well-known phenomenon in the context of elective surgery, and the mechanisms of this are well established. ⋯ Our data do not show a decrease in the core temperatures of patients who receive pre-hospital anaesthesia, unlike patients who are anaesthetised without pre-warming, in operating theatres. The lack of a change could relate to patient, anaesthetic or environmental factors.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2024
Time is brain, so we must BEFAST: Improving stroke identification and triage in a rural emergency department.
Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital is a rural (MM3) secondary hospital which is over an hour travel time from the nearest tertiary centre. The objective of the present study was to pilot the implementation of the BEFAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech and Time) stroke screening tool at the ED, and determine whether its usage improved timely stroke detection. ⋯ Patient outcomes were improved after implementation of the BEFAST stroke triage tool. More stroke patients were identified upon presentation to the ED, and in a timely fashion. For those with a stroke diagnosis, time-critical interventions can take place earlier, allowing patients to return home sooner, and with less disability.