Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2010
Lack of effect on blood alcohol level of swabbing venepuncture sites with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
It is standard practice to clean the skin using a non-alcohol-containing swab before forensic blood alcohol sampling, because of the belief that the use of an alcohol-containing swab will contaminate the sample. The present study aimed to determine whether cleaning the skin with 70% isopropyl alcohol swabs, before venepuncture, alters measured blood alcohol level (BAL). ⋯ The present study demonstrated that the use of 70% isopropyl alcohol swabs does not significantly affect BAL when used before venepuncture. This has implications that challenge current forensic blood alcohol sample acquisition.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2010
Editorial CommentChest pain research; no more comparing apples with oranges.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2009
ReviewReview article: the use of pelvic examination within the emergency department in the assessment of early pregnancy bleeding.
Early pregnancy bleeding is a common presentation in the emergency setting. Traditionally, its assessment relied on clinical findings, including pelvic examination. However in recent years, ultrasonography and quantitative beta human chorionic gonadotropin assays have gained prominence and are now first-line in diagnosing early pregnancy bleeding. ⋯ However, when ultrasonography and beta human chorionic gonadotropin testing are unavailable or the results inconclusive, pelvic examination should be considered. Assessment in these instances must focus on identifying possible life-threatening conditions, such as ectopic pregnancy, as well as determining the safety of discharge pending definitive assessment. Speculum examination is indicated in those presenting with severe bleeding or hypotension as removal of obstructing endocervical products can be a crucial resuscitative measure.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyParacetamol versus ibuprofen: a randomized controlled trial of outpatient analgesia efficacy for paediatric acute limb fractures.
Paediatric limb fracture is a common injury that presents frequently to the ED. The primary objective of the present study was to determine whether ibuprofen provides better analgesia than paracetamol for paediatric patients discharged with acute limb fractures. A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted in a children's ED. ⋯ There were no significant differences in side-effects detected between the two groups. The present study shows that in the outpatient paediatric population, ibuprofen does not provide better analgesia than paracetamol. Pain from an acute fracture can be managed by regular simple oral analgesia and immobilization.