Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Appendicitis is the most common paediatric surgical emergency. In our institution, the majority of inter-hospital transfers are for suspected appendicitis. We undertook an audit to assess the accuracy of the provisional diagnosis of the transferred cases. ⋯ Of the surgical referrals for appendicectomy, 60% did not have appendicitis. An improved assessment protocol is required to reduce the margin of diagnostic error and transfer cost, while maintaining clinical safety.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2012
Initial resuscitation for Australasian Triage Scale 2 patients in a Nepalese emergency department.
Triage is recognized as important in providing timely care to emergency patients. However, systematic triage is only practised in two EDs in Nepal. The first objective of this study was to assess the performance of one of these departments in seeing triaged patients in a timely fashion. Second, an epidemiological survey of patients presenting to the ED was performed to describe the conditions seen and initial resuscitation undertaken. ⋯ Patients triaged as ATS 2 were seen in a timely fashion. Seriously ill patients requiring resuscitation present commonly to this ED. This is a big challenge for junior doctors. Improved training, treatment protocols and equipment are needed to help manage this burden.
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This article provides background information about the emerging field of international emergency medicine (IEM) and how emergency physicians in Australasia can participate in its practice and development. It reviews the seven key areas of knowledge and skills involved in the practice of IEM as put forward by US fellowship programmes: (i) Emergency Medicine Systems Development; (ii) Humanitarian Relief; (iii) Disaster Management; (iv) Public Health; (v) Travel and Field Medicine; (vi) Programme Administration; and (vii) Academic Skills. ⋯ Means by which individuals can fund and engage in IEM activities are proposed. This article provides a reference of domestic and international IEM training resources that can be obtained by Australasian emergency physicians and trainees today.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2012
National Coroners Information System: a valuable source of lessons for emergency medicine.
To interrogate the National Coroners Information System (NCIS) to determine the recurrent themes among coroners' recommendations that aimed to increase the safety of ED care. ⋯ The NCIS data theme analysis identifies important high-risk patients and presenting complaints. These should be incorporated into emergency physician training. EDs should review the coronial recommendations to ensure that, where possible, they have been adopted.