Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jul 2024
Assessing the predictors for paediatric intensive care unit for inter-hospital transfer patients on high-flow nasal cannula or continuous positive airway pressure ventilation at a tertiary Australian paediatric hospital.
The aim of the present study was to assess the predictors of need for paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission for inter-hospital transfer patients to a tertiary paediatric hospital ED on high flow (HF) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation. ⋯ We have demonstrated that children who require CPAP to manage their respiratory disease are more likely to require PICU care on transfer to the tertiary paediatric hospital. In addition, those patients being transferred from secondary metropolitan hospitals after a trial of HF are also likely to require PICU care. This suggests that these patients should be directly admitted to PICU, allowing for improved patient experience and flow as well as reducing unnecessary ED resource utilisation.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jul 2024
More than meets the eye: Lid and conjunctival injuries in cases of non-sexual assault are frequently accompanied by non-fatal strangulation.
To determine the associations between lid and conjunctival injuries (LACI), non-fatal strangulation (NFS) and domestic family violence (DFV) in non-sexual assault. ⋯ LACI is frequently associated with NFS and/or DFV. Since NFS increases future homicide attempts and events more than sixfold, LACI is an important signal about a patient's homicide risk, expanding the dimensions of the care needed. Those experiencing LACI during an assault also need to be referred for comprehensive eye examination as soon as possible. With consent, systematic forensic photography of LACI enables its assessment and documentation, which assists the legal process. These conclusions should drive legislative consideration and reform, plus expanded education for clinicians and police.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2024
Impact of lifeguard oxygen therapy on the resuscitation of drowning victims: Results from an Utstein Style for Drowning Study.
No published evidence was identified regarding the use of oxygen in the treatment of drowning in two recent systematic reviews. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of on scene, pre-Emergency Medical Services (EMS) oxygen therapy by lifeguards in the resuscitation of drowning victims. ⋯ On scene treatment with oxygen by lifeguards did not improve oxygenation or outcomes in drowning patients.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2024
Health consumers' ethical concerns towards artificial intelligence in Australian emergency departments.
To investigate health consumers' ethical concerns towards the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in EDs. ⋯ Health consumers view AI as an emerging technology that they want to see comprehensively regulated to ensure it functions safely and securely with EDs. Without considerations made for the ethical design, implementation and use of AI technologies, health consumer trust and acceptance in the use of these tools will be limited.