Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2014
Improvement in emergency department length of stay using a nurse-led 'emergency journey coordinator': A before/after study.
Australian EDs are required to conform to the National Emergency Access Target (NEAT): patients must depart within 4 h of arrival. The study's aim was to determine if a nursing role called the 'Emergency Journey Coordinator' (EJC) improved NEAT through resolving delays in patient processing. ⋯ NEAT targets were improved in the ED of a tertiary referral hospital after the introduction of the EJC role.
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This study was performed to evaluate occupational and fall injuries presenting to the ED, the risk factors associated with falls among all occupational injuries, and factors affecting prognosis. ⋯ Risk factors associated with fall-related occupational injuries include older age and being at a construction area during regular working hours. Falls among occupational injuries are more severe than other injuries and result in longer work loss.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2014
Acute coronary syndrome diagnosis at hospital discharge: How often do we get it right in the emergency department?
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) encompasses unstable angina (UA), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST segment myocardial infarction (STEMI). In 2007-2008 in Australia, there were 95 000 hospitalisations for ACS. There is limited data about the level of agreement between the ED and hospital discharge diagnosis. The objective of the present study is to describe the proportion of ED patients with a concordant ACS hospital discharge diagnosis and determine factors associated with this. ⋯ Almost one-third of patients who are admitted to the hospital with ACS have a different hospital discharge diagnosis. English as a primary language and presenting with chest pain are associated with a more concordant diagnosis. More research needs to be performed to better understand these findings.
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Emerg Med Australas · Apr 2014
What paramedics think about when they think about fatigue: Contributing factors.
Paramedic fatigue is associated with burnout, attrition, sick leave, work disability, physical and mental health complaints and impaired performance. However, no studies have addressed how fatigue is understood by paramedics. The present study addresses this shortcoming by exploring factors paramedics recognise as contributors to fatigue. ⋯ These findings demonstrate that paramedics have a broad understanding of fatigue. It is critical to take this into account when discussing fatigue with paramedics, particularly in the case of fatigue education or wellness programmes. These data highlight areas for intervention and education to minimise the experience of paramedic fatigue and the negative health and safety outcomes for paramedics and patients as a result.