Aust Fam Physician
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Out of hospital cardiac arrest victims contribute significantly to adult mortality figures but are encountered infrequently by most general practitioners and their staff. A number of scientific organisations produce guidelines for the basic and advanced management of cardiac arrest. ⋯ General practitioners are required to manage cardiac arrest victims infrequently. The initiation of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the rapid defibrillation of suitable cardiac rhythms determine a favourable outcome. All staff working at a surgery must be skilled in basic life support. The GP needs an understanding of advanced life support principles.
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Life threatening asthma is not an uncommon emergency and all doctors need to have an ordered approach to managing this problem both in the surgery and the home. ⋯ The key to successful treatment of life threatening asthma is a rapid assessment of severity, an early emergency call for an ambulance, oxygen, continuous nebulised beta 2 agonist, corticosteroids and the use of parenteral adrenaline for the patient in extremis.
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Anaphylaxis is not uncommon in Australia, representing the most severe form of allergy. It is most likely to be triggered by food with the most common allergen being peanuts. It constitutes a medical emergency that requires a rapid medical response. ⋯ With the increased prevalence of allergy in the community, it is likely that at some stage most general practitioners will have to treat a case of acute anaphylaxis. It is imperative that GPs are prepared for such an event as failure to recognise the condition or to follow a validated protocol can have fatal consequences.
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Comparative Study
GPs' perceived competence and comfort in managing medical emergencies in southeast Queensland.
Little is known about general practitioners' confidence and competence in managing medical emergencies, yet these qualities are vital to maximise patients' chances of survival. ⋯ Postgraduate training in and experience with medical emergencies is important for GPs' confidence and competence in dealing with such emergencies. A proposed update course designed specifically for GPs was strongly supported.