Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Antivenom surveillance: An audit of antivenom stock within South Australia.
Antivenoms are important emergency medications to be held within Australia, particularly in regional and remote locations. We audited current antivenom holdings in hospitals and health services across South Australia (SA) and compared to recommendations in the 'Snakebite and Spiderbite Management Guidelines' from the State's Toxinology service. The process also assessed the feasibility of 'real-time' remote stock monitoring. ⋯ This audit has demonstrated a significant disparity between recommended and actual antivenom holdings across most sites in SA and has also revealed that 'real-time' remote monitoring of state antivenom holdings is not currently feasible. Correction of stock levels to that recommended may result in financial benefit for State Health while also addressing inequity in regional and remote healthcare provision.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Observational StudyChildhood obesity in the ED: A prospective Australian study.
To determine (i) the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children presenting to all EDs in a large regional Australian city and (ii) whether age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES) or hospital setting (public vs private) were associated with overweight and obesity. ⋯ Almost one-third of children who presented to EDs were overweight or obese. Obesity was particularly high in those aged 8-14 years and those from lower SES postcodes. In the evolving obesity crisis, the high proportion of children presenting to EDs above a healthy weight might represent an opportunity for EDs to identify and refer children for body weight and lifestyle management.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
A descriptive study of domestic and family violence presentations to an emergency department in the Northern Territory.
Examine the nature of domestic and family violence (DFV) presentations to an ED in the Northern Territory and identify potential gaps in service delivery. ⋯ The data highlights the need for a 24 h trauma-informed, culturally safe and integrated service to support people experiencing DFV. This could be achieved by a specialist unit designed and staffed by First Nations health practitioners.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Summer alcohol-related emergency department workload and occupancy in Australasia 2019-2022.
Alcohol is a major public health issue and the ACEM funds regular 'snapshot' surveys of the prevalence of alcohol-related presentations in EDs. The present study uses these data to investigate ED occupancy and alcohol- and methamphetamine-related presentations at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ The present study demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect summer alcohol-related ED presentations in Australasia but was associated with an unsustainable increase in ED crowding.
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Emerg Med Australas · Oct 2024
Health consumers' ethical concerns towards artificial intelligence in Australian emergency departments.
To investigate health consumers' ethical concerns towards the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in EDs. ⋯ Health consumers view AI as an emerging technology that they want to see comprehensively regulated to ensure it functions safely and securely with EDs. Without considerations made for the ethical design, implementation and use of AI technologies, health consumer trust and acceptance in the use of these tools will be limited.