The Medical journal of Australia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Acupuncture for analgesia in the emergency department: a multicentre, randomised, equivalence and non-inferiority trial.
This study aimed to assess analgesia provided by acupuncture, alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy, to patients presenting to emergency departments with acute low back pain, migraine or ankle sprain. ⋯ The effectiveness of acupuncture in providing acute analgesia for patients with back pain and ankle sprain was comparable with that of pharmacotherapy. Acupuncture is a safe and acceptable form of analgesia, but none of the examined therapies provided optimal acute analgesia. More effective options are needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in diabetes: a randomised controlled trial of a quality improvement initiative.
To describe the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Australian patients with diabetes; to compare the effectiveness of a quality improvement initiative for people with and without diabetes. ⋯ Adherence to CVD risk management guidelines was better for people with diabetes, but there is room for improvement. The intervention was modestly effective in people with diabetes, but further strategies are needed to close evidence-practice gaps.Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12611000478910.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Hot water immersion v icepacks for treating the pain of Chironex fleckeri stings: a randomised controlled trial.
To investigate the effectiveness of hot water immersion for relieving the pain of major box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) stings.Design, interventions: Open label, randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of hot water immersion (45°C) and icepacks.Setting, participants: 42 patients with suspected C. fleckeri stings treated in the emergency department of the Royal Darwin Hospital during September 2005 - October 2008. ⋯ Hot water immersion was no more effective than icepacks for reducing the acute pain of box jellyfish stings, but increased emergency department LOS by about 30 minutes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reducing medication errors in hospital discharge summaries: a randomised controlled trial.
To evaluate whether pharmacists completing the medication management plan in the medical discharge summary reduced the rate of medication errors in these summaries. ⋯ Pharmacists completing medication management plans in the discharge summary significantly reduced the rate of medication errors (including errors of high and extreme risk) in medication summaries for general medical patients.Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12616001034426.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The razor's edge: Australian rock music impairs men's performance when pretending to be a surgeon.
Over the past few decades there has been interest in the role of music in the operating theatre. However, despite many reported benefits, a number of potentially harmful effects of music have been identified. This study aimed to explore the effects of rock and classical music on surgical speed, accuracy and perceived distraction when performing multiorgan resection in the board game Operation. ⋯ Rock music (specifically Australian rock music) appears to have detrimental effects on surgical performance. Men are advised not to listen to rock music when either operating or playing board games.