Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
ReviewReview article: Evaluating the effectiveness of arterial pressure point techniques as a first aid method for external haemorrhage control: A systematic review.
The current ANZCOR guidelines for first aid management of life-threatening bleeding from a limb, where bleeding cannot be controlled with direct pressure, recommends the use of an arterial tourniquet. However, tourniquets required specialised training and equipment, which may not be accessible in all emergencies. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of arterial pressure point techniques (APPT) as a first aid measure for controlling life-threatening, non-compressible bleeding from limbs and anatomical junctions. ⋯ Additional research with higher levels of evidence, standardised protocols and larger sample sizes is needed. Investigation in real-world scenarios is crucial to compare methods like tourniquets. Future research will determine APPT's effectiveness and its potential role as a bridging technique before tourniquet application or medical assistance.
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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
SAFE: Safety of procedural sedation and analgesia administration in the fast-track area of the emergency department.
To determine whether undertaking procedural sedation in the low-acuity fast-track area is safe and effective in improving patient flow. ⋯ The sedation of patients outside a high-acuity area is safe and significantly improves patient flow.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
What proportion of women presenting to the emergency department with early pregnancy bleeding receive appropriate care?
To determine the proportion of women presenting to EDs across a regional health district, with early pregnancy bleeding, who received appropriate care. ⋯ Variation in care for women presenting with early pregnancy bleeding to ED was identified. There is an evidence-practice gap and need for inquiry into barriers and facilitators to prescribed clinical practice for this population.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Observational StudyThe diagnostic utility of prehospital hyperglycaemia in major trauma patients: An observational study.
Stress-induced hyperglycaemia (SIH) is an elevated blood glucose level (≥11.1 mmol/L) in patients experiencing physiological stress, in the absence of diabetes mellitus. Although early in-hospital SIH has been associated with worse outcomes following major trauma, the predictive value of SIH in the prehospital setting has not been established. To investigate the role of prehospital SIH as a predictor of in-hospital mortality following major trauma. ⋯ The present study demonstrated an association between prehospital SIH and in-hospital mortality following major trauma. Further prospective research is warranted to examine the utility and integration of prehospital SIH into predicting models of trauma care.