Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2021
Meta AnalysisSystematic review and meta-analysis of oral paracetamol versus combination oral analgesics for acute musculoskeletal injuries.
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine if a combination of analgesics conveys any significant clinical benefit over paracetamol alone in managing acute musculoskeletal injuries. ⋯ Paracetamol monotherapy is a reasonable first-line analgesic for acute musculoskeletal injuries as combining additional oral agents does not result in any significant additional analgesic effect.
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A retrospective analysis of enquiries made to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre (NZNPC) in 2018; which includes direct contacts through telephone of caller, patient and exposure substance characteristics, and indirect contacts through the internet of page hits by New Zealand (NZ) healthcare professionals on the TOXINZ poisons information database. ⋯ In 2018, the NZNPC provided assessment and/or advice in 64 358 enquiries, comprising 25 330 direct contacts and 39 028 indirect contacts. The NZNPC provides specialised services regularly used by both members of the public and healthcare professionals that contributes to the clinical management of poisoned and potentially poisoned patients in NZ.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2021
Multicenter StudyEpidemiology and clinical features of emergency department patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19: A multisite report from the COVED Quality Improvement Project for July 2020 (COVED-3).
The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of patients presenting to the ED with suspected and confirmed COVID-19. ⋯ In this prospective multi-site study from July 2020, a substantial proportion of ED patients required SARS-CoV-2 testing, isolation and enhanced infection prevention and control precautions. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swab was not associated with death or mechanical ventilation.
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Aeromedical services are an essential part of the healthcare system. Centralised coordination of aeromedical retrieval tasking offers benefits for safety, timeliness and efficiency in service delivery. The aim of the present study is to review aeromedical retrievals in Queensland exploring patient demographics, temporal patterns and usage characteristics. ⋯ Potential investments in health service planning may alleviate the burden on aeromedical services, particularly related to cardiology services in inner and outer regional Queensland. Aeromedical services are pivotal in enabling all sick and injured residents' access to the highest quality of care regardless of the remoteness of their residence.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2021
Epidemiology, treatment and outcome of patients with lower respiratory tract infection presenting to emergency departments with dyspnoea (AANZDEM and EuroDEM studies).
Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is a frequent cause of dyspnoea in EDs, and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. We described and compared the management of this disease in Europe and Oceania/South-East Asia (SEA) cohorts. ⋯ More patients with LRTI in Europe presented with cardio-respiratory comorbidities, they received more adjunct therapies and had a higher intensive care unit admission rate than patients from Oceania/SEA, although mortality was similar between the two cohorts.