Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2016
Observational StudyChanging paediatric emergency department model of care is associated with improvements in the National Emergency Access Target and a decrease in inpatient admissions.
To assess the impact on patient flow as noted by the National Emergency Access Target (NEAT), with the introduction of a new Paediatric ED (PEM ED) model of care. ⋯ NEAT times improved after changing the PEM ED model of care. Further studies may assist identifying which of the specific features within the new model are most effective for improving patient flow.
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To describe the characteristics of adolescents presenting with deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) to a large Australian healthcare network. ⋯ Adolescent DSP presentations frequently involved impulsive ingestion of over-the-counter medications, suggesting less access to prescription medications. Additionally, pre-existing mental health history and re-presentation were common. Initiatives to prevent DSP might include an increased focus on the early identification and management of mental health problems in adolescents in the community.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2016
Blunt chest trauma in a non-specialist centre: Right treatment, right place?
To compare patient characteristics, management and outcomes for patients admitted with isolated blunt chest trauma, managed by medical or surgical teams. ⋯ Amongst patients with isolated blunt chest trauma, those managed by medical teams were older, had more comorbidities and were more likely to have become injured with a low trauma fall than those managed by surgical teams. They had less access to analgesic options, developed pneumonia more often and had higher mortality.