Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2010
Comprehensive standardized data definitions for acute coronary syndrome research in emergency departments in Australasia.
Patients with chest discomfort or other symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome are one of the most common categories seen in many Emergency Departments (EDs). Although the recognition of patients at high risk of acute coronary syndrome has improved steadily, identifying the majority of chest pain presentations who fall into the low-risk group remains a challenge. Research in this area needs to be transparent, robust, applicable to all hospitals from large tertiary centres to rural and remote sites, and to allow direct comparison between different studies with minimum patient spectrum bias. ⋯ The aim was to create a common framework for a standardized data definitions set that would allow maximum value when extrapolating research findings both within Australasian ED practice, and across similar populations worldwide. Therefore a comprehensive data definitions set for the investigation of non-traumatic chest pain patients with possible acute coronary syndrome was developed, specifically for use in the ED setting. This standardized data definitions set will facilitate 'knowledge translation' by allowing extrapolation of useful findings into the real-life practice of emergency medicine.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2010
Does the standard intravenous solution of fentanyl (50 microg/mL) administered intranasally have analgesic efficacy?
Intranasal (IN) fentanyl provides rapid and powerful non-parenteral analgesia in the ED. A concentrated solution of fentanyl (300 microg/mL) has been used in prior trials, yet many ED use the standard solution at a concentration of 50 microg/mL, which is widely available and of low cost. We set out to determine if this lower concentration of fentanyl is also efficacious. ⋯ Standard i.v. concentration IN fentanyl (50 microg/mL) appears to have analgesic efficacy in children with upper limb injuries.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2010
Accuracy of bedside ultrasound for the detection of soft tissue foreign bodies by emergency doctors.
To assess the ability of emergency physicians and emergency trainees to detect soft tissue foreign bodies using typical ultrasound equipment. ⋯ These data suggest ultrasound in the hands of emergency doctors might be useful as an initial screening tool for detection of soft tissue foreign bodies.
-
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.