Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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(i) To describe the clinical presentation of intussusception and determine features associated with earlier diagnosis; (ii) to describe outcomes of children diagnosed with intussusception; and (iii) to determine whether time to diagnosis is associated with poorer prognosis. ⋯ The 'classic' picture of intussusception might frequently not be present in children with intussusception. Reliance on 'classic' features alone might delay diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis is associated with poorer patient outcomes. Air enema has a high success rate for reduction of intussusception.
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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.