Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2012
ReviewReview article: A primer for clinical researchers in the emergency department: Part III: How to write a scientific paper.
In this series we address key topics for clinicians who conduct research as part of their work in the ED. Analysis of research data does not represent the completion of a project as the findings need to be communicated to clinicians and other researchers in the field. In this section, we describe how to write up clinical research data for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. We also describe the editorial and peer-review process.
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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
Once or twice-daily, algorithm-based intravenous cephazolin for home-based cellulitis treatment.
Cellulitis is a common presentation to the ED and a significant cause of hospitalization that can be managed in hospital-in-the-home programmes. Current clinical-practice guidelines recommend once or twice-daily i.v. antibiotics; however, there is an absence of data describing the impact of these guidelines in real-world practice-based settings. This study aims to describe the safety and effectiveness of home-based cellulitis treatment according to an online treatment algorithm. ⋯ An online decision support algorithm can support the effective use of a once or twice-daily treatment regimen for uncomplicated cellulitis. This approach can increase the efficiency and capacity of home-based therapy, resulting in better alignment of treatment options with clinicians and patients' preferences.
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Emerg Med Australas · Aug 2012
Simple external rotation of the leg increases the size and accessibility of the femoral vein.
To determine if external rotation of the leg increases the size and accessibility of the femoral vein compared with a neutral position. ⋯ The total and accessible femoral vein diameter is increased and the surface depth of the vein is decreased by placing the leg in external rotation compared with the neutral position.
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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.