Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2011
ReviewHow useful are laboratory investigations in the emergency department evaluation of possible osteomyelitis?
We conducted a literature review to determine which laboratory investigations are useful for the ED evaluation of osteomyelitis. Thirty-six relevant papers were identified. ⋯ In patients with any suspicion of osteomyelitis and otherwise unexplained ESR >30 mm/h and/or CRP >10-30 mg/L further definitive investigation is required. The white blood count is not helpful in the evaluation of osteomyelitis.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2011
ReviewResources for the management of ocular emergencies in Australia.
The aim of the present paper is to assess the practical utility of the most common print resources used by practitioners in the management of ocular emergencies. Ten print resources were identified for review (three specialty eye texts, six general emergency medicine texts and one general practice text). The main outcome measures used were the extent a text matched crucial skills criteria in clinical assessment and treatment, and usability. ⋯ Only two reflected drug current practice in Australia and provided adequate details on usage. A single comprehensive reference (print and/or web-based) for dealing with ocular emergencies in Australia is clearly needed. Additionally, training and confidence levels of eye care providers must be addressed so that the risk of misdiagnosis and mismanagement of eye emergencies is reduced.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2011
Case ReportsMassive pericardial effusion with diastolic right ventricular compression secondary to hypothyroidism in a 73-year-old woman.
Pericardial effusion is commonly seen in patients with hypothyroidism, but a massive pericardial effusion with obvious diastolic right ventricular compression is uncommon. We herein report a case of 73-year-old woman seen in the ED with generalized weakness and hypotension. ⋯ The pericardial effusion resolved after the administration of thyroid replacement therapy. This case reveals the importance of including hypothyroidism in the differential diagnosis of pericardia effusion.
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This pilot study examines the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in a cohort of agricultural workers, assesses their knowledge of local emergency health services and investigates their decision-making abilities with regard to when and how they would seek help when experiencing chest pain. ⋯ This cohort of agricultural workers were at considerable risk of experiencing acute coronary events, but many would make decisions about when and how to seek medical help for chest pain that are at odds with published community guidelines. These results highlight the need for education to improve knowledge of local emergency services and address behavioural barriers to accessing care.