Articles: emergency-department.
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Australas Emerg Nurs J · Aug 2014
Patient perceptions of emergency department fast track: a prospective pilot study comparing two models of care.
Emergency department (ED) fast track has been shown to improve patient flow for low complexity presentations.(1) The optimal model of care and service delivery for fast track patients has not been established. ⋯ Most patients were satisfied with ED fast track, irrespective of model of care. Patient satisfaction was greater in the group of patients using the nurse practitioner model of care. Around half of the fast track patients would prefer to see a general practitioner for a similar problem if available nearby.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2014
Demand for emergency department services in the elderly: An 11 year analysis of the Greater Sydney Area.
To describe trends in population-based rates of ED presentations in the Greater Sydney Area (GSA) and compare these between the elderly and non-elderly age groups. ⋯ A disproportionate increase in ED presentation rates and in-patient admission rates in patients aged 80 years and over was demonstrated over 11 years in the GSA. ED models of care and system wide strategies to address these demographic changes are required.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Case ReportsNeurologic deterioration in a child undergoing treatment for tuberculosis meningitis.
Clinical deterioration while receiving antituberculosis (anti-TB) therapy can be due to a number of etiologies, including drug resistance, disease progression despite effective therapy, or alternative diagnoses. We present the case of a 22-month-old girl diagnosed with TB meningitis 4 months prior to presentation. At time of her initial diagnosis, computed tomography showed hydrocephalus and basilar meningitis with some evidence of ischemic damage. ⋯ Differential diagnosis included shunt malfunction and/or shunt infection. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed interval development of tuberculomas. Symptomatic and radiographic improvement was seen after initiation of corticosteroids for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, which can be seen in immunocompetent children, with onset weeks to months after starting antituberculous therapy.
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Australas Emerg Nurs J · Aug 2014
Shortfalls in residents' transfer documentation: challenges for emergency department staff.
Increasing numbers of residents are transferred from aged care facilities to emergency departments. Frequently, residents arrive with inadequate documentation regarding their presenting complaint or medical history, making it difficult for emergency department staff to make decisions about care. ⋯ Inadequate documentation negatively impacted the resident's journey through the emergency department. There is evidence that inadequate documentation contributes to poor patient outcomes. To minimise the gaps in the transfer documentation regular staff development and quality assurance programs may be required in residential aged care facilities.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Rate of and Risk Factors for Early Recurrence in Patients With Febrile Seizures.
Patients with febrile seizures (FSs) are observed in emergency departments or admitted to hospitals because of the possibility of recurrence. There are no guidelines regarding the observation time for recurring FS. The aim of this study was to identify the rate, time, risk factors, and cumulative probability of early recurrence. ⋯ The majority of recurrent FSs occurred in the first 24 hours. The type and duration of seizures were significant risk factors for early recurrence.