Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2016
Paediatric recreational vehicle-related head injuries presenting to the emergency department of a major paediatric trauma centre in Australia: Is there room for improvement?
This study examines clinical characteristics and helmet use of children presenting to the ED with a recreational vehicle (RV)-related head injury (HI). ⋯ RV-related HIs accounted for a non-negligible proportion of paediatric HIs presenting to the ED and for significant morbidity and use of hospital resources. Interventions such as introduction of mandatory helmet use for off-road motorised vehicle riding and skateboard riding in children, enhanced injury prevention campaigns, and strict adult supervision during motorised vehicle riding may reduce the morbidity and health care costs associated with paediatric RV-related HIs.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2016
Older adolescent presentations to a children's hospital emergency department.
To describe the characteristics, diagnoses and outcomes of older adolescents, aged 16-19 years, presenting to a paediatric ED. ⋯ A high prevalence of chronic illness was found in older adolescents attending the paediatric ED. There was no evidence that behavioural and mental health issues dominated. These findings reflect admission policy.
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The objective of the Primary Examination is to ensure that trainees have the required level of knowledge and understanding of the four basic sciences of anatomy, pathology, physiology and pharmacology to underpin their further learning and development towards careers as emergency medicine physicians. The candidate is expected to show an understanding of the subject matter and demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge to the practice of emergency medicine. As part of the curriculum review, ACEM undertook to implement changes to the Primary Examination in order to make it more clinically relevant.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2016
Diagnostic accuracy of flexion-extension radiography for the detection of ligamentous cervical spine injury following a normal cervical spine computed tomography.
Flexion-extension radiography (FER) has been utilised for the detection of ligamentous injury in patients who have been cleared of bony injury. Some studies call into question the diagnostic accuracy of FER, the high proportion of inadequate FER images and the adverse effects of prolonged cervical collar immobilisation although awaiting FER. ⋯ FER does not contribute additional diagnostic accuracy for the detection of ligamentous injury to the cervical spine following a normal CT of the cervical spine. We recommend FER be removed from cervical spine clearance protocols.