Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Evaluating accuracy of cervical spine computed tomography interpretation by emergency trainees with the use of a structured protocol.
Radiological evaluation of cervical spine injury with computed tomography (CT) scanning is a fundamental component of the assessment of major trauma. Accurate interpretation of scans is essential for safe clearance or diagnosis of injuries. However, delays in radiologist reporting often result in prolonged spinal immobilisation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a simple, structured reporting tool to improve assessment of CTs of the cervical spine by emergency medicine trainees. ⋯ Interpretation of cervical spine CT scans by trainees was inferior compared to radiologists and did not improve with a structured reporting template. Other innovative strategies towards timely reporting of CT scans by radiologists of the cervical spine are indicated for earlier definitive diagnosis.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Utility of computed tomography brain scans in intubated patients with overdose.
Describe the yield of computed tomography brain (CTB) scans in patients intubated for drug overdose. ⋯ Routine imaging of patients intubated for overdose without clinical indication is unjustified.
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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
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
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.