Emergency medicine (Fremantle, W.A.)
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Emerg Med (Fremantle) · Oct 2003
Skills retention for insertion of the Combitube and laryngeal mask airway.
To determine if the skills to successfully ventilate using the laryngeal mask (The Laryngeal Mask Company Limited, Henley on Thames, United Kingdom) and Combitube (The Kendall Company, Mansfield, USA) can be retained after seven months. ⋯ The ability to successfully ventilate is better maintained with the laryngeal mask than the Combitube after seven months.
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To report on the impact of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak on the attendances of a major teaching hospital ED. ⋯ There was a significant drop in the overall ED attendance, trauma cases and minor cases after the outbreak of SARS. Possible causes include changes in community behaviour, resulting in a lower incidence of trauma and disease and fear of presenting to hospital and contracting SARS.
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Emerg Med (Fremantle) · Oct 2003
Case ReportsA new drug free technique for reducing anterior shoulder dislocations.
Five cases of anterior shoulder dislocation are reported. The dislocations were reduced quickly, painlessly and without the use of drugs using the 'Cunningham technique.' The practice and theory of the technique are described. The 'Cunningham technique' is a useful single operator method of reducing anterior shoulder dislocations. Further research is being undertaken to reproduce the results in a larger patient group and also to examine how easily the technique can be taught.
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Emerg Med (Fremantle) · Oct 2003
Is mediastinal shift on chest X-ray of pneumothorax always an emergency?
To determine the incidence of mediastinal shift on chest X-ray due to pneumothorax. ⋯ True clinical tension pneumothorax is an uncommon condition. Radiological evidence of mediastinal shift is more common. No patient in this latter group deteriorated while awaiting X-ray.
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To describe the epidemiology, clinical features, treatment and outcomes of patients with elapid snake envenoming in far north Queensland. ⋯ The incidence of snakebite and envenoming in far north Queensland is higher than reported from hospitals in capital cities and is a significant health issue.