Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2023
ReviewReview article: Use of the Team Emergency Assessment Measure in the rating of emergency teams' non-technical skills: A mapping review.
The present study aims to explore the utility of the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) in relation to the enhancement of emergency team non-technical skills based on research conducted over the last decade. In this mapping review, a citation mining process identified 22 primary studies for inclusion, published between 2012 and 2022. It provides outcome data on emergency teams' non-technical skills following team training and/or real-life patient emergencies. ⋯ The review highlights a lack of studies evidencing quality improvement or clinical impact such as change of patient care practice or health service performance. There is a need to conduct well-designed studies that explore both technical and non-technical skills of resuscitation teams and METs. Currently, non-technical skills training and repeated performance evaluations using the TEAM contribute immensely to the proficiency of emergency teams.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2023
Personal protective equipment for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in an emergency department: an exploratory survey of workload, thermal discomfort, and symptoms of heat strain.
To examine workload, thermal discomfort and heat-related symptoms among healthcare workers (HCWs) in an Australian ED during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ ED HCWs experience thermal discomfort when wearing PPE. Combined with their workloads, HCWs experienced symptoms related to heat strain. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to managing heat strain among HCWs when wearing PPE in an ED.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2023
Observational StudyIs the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition a useful concussion assessment tool in head-injured patients presenting to the emergency department?
Concussion is a common ED complaint, but diagnosis is challenging as there are no validated objective measures. Use of concussion tools derived from sports medicine is common, but these tools are not well validated in ED settings. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT5) to identify concussion in ED patients presenting following head injury. ⋯ The SCAT5 test had a low specificity, was long and was frequently interrupted. We suggest it is not an ideal assessment to use in ED. The PCSS score performed well and was easy to complete. It may be useful as a standalone tool to simplify ED concussion identification.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2023
Economic evaluation of applying the Canadian Syncope Risk Score in an Australian emergency department.
To evaluate the Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) in syncope patients presenting to the ED from an economic perspective, using very-low and low-risk patients (CSRS -3 to 0) as a threshold for avoiding hospital admissions. ⋯ Compared to usual care, applying the CSRS appeared as a cost-effective strategy. This new evidence will help decision-makers choose cost-effective approaches for the management of patients presenting to the ED with syncope, as they search for efficient ways to maximise health gain from a finite budget.