Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2004
Pilot study of metropolitan emergency department workload complexity.
Assessment of emergency department (ED) patient complexity using the number of procedures, investigations or consultations (PICsum). ⋯ An intuitive partition in the complexity distribution is identified at up to one procedure, one investigation and one consultation. Patient age is correlated with complexity and ED age distribution may be a useful proxy for complexity, particularly if used in conjunction with validated age versus complexity tables.
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Dizziness is a common symptom and a systematic method is required to make a diagnosis from its many possible causes. This article describes an approach to the problem with emphasis on true vertigo and in particular its otological aetiology. Important points in the history as well as relevant physical signs are described together with some readily identifiable conditions and their management.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2004
Case ReportsAnaphylaxis to trimethoprim: an under-appreciated risk in acute medical care.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, systemic allergic reaction, which is frequently unexpected and carries a high mortality risk as a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis to trimethoprim is not a well recognized event. Since trimethoprim represents the leading antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections, its potential to cause anaphylaxis needs to be recognized, whether alone or as the 'active' ingredient in cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole combination), by those prescribing it and those providing acute care. A case of probable anaphylaxis following trimethoprim ingestion is presented with discussion supporting its potency including evidence at an immunological level highlighting its under-appreciated risk in acute medical care.