Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2012
ReviewA primer for clinical researchers in the emergency department: Part IV: Multicentre research.
In this series we address key topics for clinicians who conduct research as part of their work in the ED. Multicentre research is conducted to enrol larger numbers of participants and improve the validity and generalisability of the findings. ⋯ We address the two major categories of multicentre research, collaborative group research based on a group of researchers from a moderate-sized number of EDs and large-scale investigator-led research where a central group of investigators leads a large pool of research sites. Although we focus on clinical trials, the basic principles also apply to multicentre observational studies.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomised trial of magnesium in the treatment of Irukandji syndrome.
Irukandji syndrome is a distressing condition characterised by pain, hypertension and tachycardia. Some develop cardiac failure and there have been two reported deaths. Magnesium sulphate has become the standard of care despite minimal evidence. The aim of this study was to investigate if magnesium would reduce analgesic requirement and length of stay for patients with Irukandji syndrome. ⋯ Our study did not demonstrate a benefit in the use of magnesium in the treatment of Irukandji syndrome. As such the current use of magnesium needs to be reconsidered until there is good evidence to support its use.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2012
Australian emergency clinicians' perceptions and use of the GIVE Clinical Trigger for identification of potential organ and tissue donors.
In 2010 the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority introduced a nationally consistent indicator, the GIVE Clinical Trigger, for early identification of potential organ and tissue donors in EDs and intensive care units. This national survey of emergency clinicians aimed to assess emergency clinicians' perceptions and use of the Trigger. ⋯ Most Australian emergency clinicians are familiar with and support the GIVE Clinical Trigger, and feel they have the necessary skills to use the Trigger; however, most perceive barriers to its use and have not yet used the Trigger.