Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
-
To describe epidemiology, symptomatology, resource use and complications in patients attending the ED following gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) ingestion. ⋯ This is the largest GHB-related case series to date. Attendance rate doubled during the study, and peaked at times of lowest staffing. Poly-substance ingestion is common. Attendances are of high acuity with decreased conscious state and airway threat. With close conservative management, most recover quickly without adverse sequelae.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2008
Comparative StudyComparative review of the clinical use of intranasal fentanyl versus morphine in a paediatric emergency department.
Comparison of intranasal fentanyl (INF) and parenteral morphine in children in an ED. Primary objective was to compare time to analgesia from presentation, with secondary objectives to assess patient profiles, specifics of opiate analgesics used plus rate of i.v. access for analgesia alone. ⋯ Use of INF in our paediatric ED setting was associated with a significantly reduced time to analgesia for patients requiring immediate analgesia compared with parenteral morphine. Since the introduction of an INF protocol to our department in mid-2005, INF use has increased, with a corresponding decrease in the use of morphine and a reduction in i.v. access for analgesia.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2008
Comparative StudyPain score documentation and analgesia: a comparison of children and adults with appendicitis.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that administration of analgesia in paediatric ED is inadequate. The present study was designed to assess pain score documentation and provision of opioid analgesia to children and adults with confirmed appendicitis in a mixed Australian ED. ⋯ Documentation of pain scores and provision of i.v. morphine is generally poor. Children are less likely than adults to have a pain score documented, or receive i.v. morphine when presenting with appendicitis.
-
Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2008
Editorial CommentPerformance assessment and simulation fidelity for dummies.