Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jan 2012
Leaving the paediatric emergency department without being seen: understanding the patient and the risks.
The aim of this study is to examine the left-without-being-seen (LWBS) patient population of a tertiary paediatric emergency department (ED) to provide quality assurance and risk management data. ⋯ The individual risks associated with leaving the ED before a child has been medically assessed are small. However, when multiplied several thousandfold as a function of the frequency of LWBS patients, the chance of serious adverse events becomes real. Potential risk management strategies include decreasing absolute LWBS numbers by addressing ED overcrowding and providing alternate sources for non-urgent care.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jan 2012
Western Australian emergency department presentations related to child maltreatment and intentional injury: population level study utilising linked health and child protection data.
The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of child maltreatment-related emergency department (ED) presentations in Western Australia (WA) and describe the type of injuries associated with them. It is also to investigate the proportion of maltreatment-related ED presentations resulting in hospitalisation, the proportion referred to the Department for Child Protection and their outcomes. ⋯ This study showed that there are limitations with ED data for child maltreatment surveillance in WA and raises concerns that there may be missed opportunities for identifying maltreatment and for referring families for further assessment and support. Recommendations are provided to improve maltreatment surveillance and ED data, particularly for the identification of external causes of injury.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jan 2012
High-flow nasal cannulae and nasal continuous positive airway pressure use in non-tertiary special care nurseries in Australia and New Zealand.
Non-tertiary centres (NTCs) in Australia and New Zealand are increasingly providing non-invasive respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), to newborn infants. We aimed to determine the proportion of NTCs in these countries treating newborn infants with HFNC and nCPAP, and how these therapies are used. ⋯ HFNC is being used in NTCs in Australia and New Zealand, and the use of nCPAP has increased over time.