Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2011
Increasing impact of mental health presentations on New South Wales public hospital emergency departments 1999-2006.
The percentage of mental health (MH) presentations to New South Wales (NSW) EDs in recent years has not been described at the statewide level. Evidence from other states suggests this burden might be increasing. The present study aims to evaluate recent trends in MH presentations to NSW EDs, including geographic variations and the spectrum of MH disorders encountered. ⋯ Mental health presentations to NSW EDs are increasing. There is a need to review emergency services to accommodate these changes. The reasons for this growth remain unclear and require formal prospective evaluation.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2011
Multicenter StudyComparison of two clinical scoring systems for emergency department risk stratification of suspected acute coronary syndrome.
To compare two methods of risk stratification for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the ED. ⋯ The NHF/CSANZ guideline is superior to the TIMI risk score for risk stratification of suspected ACS in the ED.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialNitrous oxide/oxygen compared with fentanyl in reducing pain among adults with isolated extremity trauma: a randomized trial.
To compare the effectiveness of nitrous oxide/oxygen (N(2)O/O(2)) and fentanyl in relieving pain among patients with an isolated long bone fracture or main joint dislocation of the limbs. ⋯ Neither nitrous oxide/oxygen or fentanyl appeared to be superior to the other in relieving moderate to severe pain among emergency patients presenting with isolated limb fracture or dislocation. In an ED, increased use of nitrous oxide might reduce the overall need for opiate analgesia, and in our setting, the need for constant monitoring.