Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Prisoners in the emergency department: Lessons from a recent inquest.
The recent coronial finding in Victoria into the death of Joshua (Josh) Kerr highlights some of the challenges of treating patients who are in custody and under the supervision of custodial staff (prison officers or police) in the ED. Issues include ED clinicians' duty of care, roles and responsibilities of ED staff and custodial staff and the need for processes that facilitate collaboration and communication between ED clinicians and custodial staff.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Factors associated with extended length of stay for paediatric mental health presentations to EDs in South Western Sydney, Australia.
This study aimed to determine the factors associated with extended length of stay (LOS) for paediatric mental health (MH)-related presentations to the EDs in South Western Sydney (SWS). ⋯ Our findings highlight the need for equitable distribution of resources directed towards at-risk CYP to improve MH outcomes and reduce health system burden.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Multicenter Study Observational StudyHospitalisations for non-specific low back pain in people presenting to South Australian public hospital emergency departments.
The present study sought to investigate predictors of hospitalisation in adults diagnosed with non-specific low back pain (LBP) and/or sciatica from an ED. ⋯ Certain patient characteristics and ED clinical activity are associated with hospitalisations for LBP. Understanding these factors will better inform the design and delivery of appropriate high-quality care.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Children exposed to family and domestic violence perpetrated against their mother are at an increased risk of emergency department attendance in childhood.
To determine the association between family and domestic violence (FDV) exposure and ED attendance in Australian children. ⋯ Exposure to FDV is associated with an increased risk of ED attendance in childhood. The findings add to the limited literature providing further support that FDV exposure impacts children's health service utilisation and further supports that children's exposure to FDV as an area of public health concern. Attendance at the ED presents an opportunity for intervention.
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The present study analyses Oceania's protest and conflict events (2021-2022) to aid healthcare systems better understand the scope of the issue. ⋯ Australia faced pandemic-related protests; Papua New Guinea grappled with tribal violence, posing healthcare challenges. A comprehensive approach emphasising disaster preparedness, regional cooperation and addressing root causes is crucial to bolster healthcare systems.