Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2007
Comparative StudyEvidence-based implementation of adult asthma guidelines in the emergency department: a controlled trial.
To determine if an evidence-based implementation (EBI) strategy could lead to the successful implementation of guidelines for the management of adult asthma in a large rural ED. ⋯ An EBI significantly improved compliance at the study hospital with no improvement noted in the control hospital. These improvements were maintained at 12 month follow up. An EBI can lead to significant improvements in the management of asthma at a large rural referral hospital ED and might have implications for hospitals with similar roles and profiles.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2007
Experience in adverse events detection in an emergency department: incidence and outcome of events.
The study was performed to determine the incidence, outcome and preventability of adverse events (AE) in an ED. ⋯ In conclusion, the Quality in Australian Health Care Study methodology has been utilized to provide data on incidents and AE in an ED.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2007
Multifaceted education initiative minimizes pethidine prescribing in the emergency department.
Pain management experts have recommended a diminished role for pethidine because of lack of superiority for any indication and greater potential for adverse effects compared with morphine. ⋯ Our education initiative resulted in a sustained and significant reduction in pethidine prescribing in the ED. Sustainability requires ongoing in-services for ED staff, usually as part of the orientation programme.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2007
Case ReportsThe use of point-of-care ultrasound by a critical care retrieval team to diagnose acute abdominal aortic aneurysm in the field.
The potential benefit of point-of-care ultrasound by medical retrieval teams is unclear. In the present case report, the diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm by a critical care retrieval team equipped with a portable ultrasound machine resulted in significant corrective alteration in patient management and subsequent disposition at the receiving institution.