The New Zealand medical journal
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This study investigated the role of alcohol in injury cases among patients attending an emergency department in Auckland during December 2000. ⋯ This is the first study of alcohol involvement in injury presenting to an emergency department in New Zealand. Findings indicate that a relatively high proportion of injury cases requiring emergency department treatment were alcohol-related and that the risk of an injury occurring was significantly increased by consumption of alcohol.
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To assess the level of understanding of pulse oximetry in a hospital setting and identify training needs. ⋯ Medical and nursing staff at Christchurch Hospital have a good understanding of pulse oximetry. A higher proportion of participants were aware of checking vital signs when the oximeter reading was unreliable, than in the original UK study cohort. A need was identified for further education in this core technique. Staff training may increase the clinical value of pulse oximetry.