Articles: emergency-services.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Criteria for early discharge of drowning patients from the emergency department.
Clinical factors previously shown to independently predict safe discharge were applied at ED presentation to determine whether we could identify a group of drowning patients who do not require treatment and are thus safe for rapid discharge. ⋯ Drowning patients who meet rapid discharge criteria at ED presentation will not require treatment for their drowning and may be considered for discharge from the ED without further investigation or mandatory period of observation.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Self-reported knowledge and attitudes surrounding care of LGBTQIA+ patients in the emergency department.
The ED is a common pathway for receiving care for all consumers. Little is known about staff perspectives about care of consumers who identify as LGBTQIA+ in an Australian setting. We sort to explore staff knowledge, attitude and behaviours around care of LGBTQIA+ consumers to identify potential barriers to care. ⋯ This study found that despite little or no formal training in provision of care for LGBTQIA+ consumers, respondents saw LGBTQIA+ consumers as a relatively small group within the wider ED consumer population and did not see the treatment of LGBTQIA+ consumers as more challenging with respect to interaction, assessment and provision of care.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Impact of the XVII Pacific Games on the National Referral Hospital Emergency Department, Solomon Islands.
The XVII Pacific Games was held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in 2023 and was attended by competitors from 24 Pacific nations. The National Referral Hospital (NRH) is the sole tertiary hospital and largest emergency department (ED) in the Solomon Islands, located in the capital city, Honiara, and was the designated referral hospital for the Pacific Games. ⋯ Planned mass gathering events can provide opportunities for EDs to increase workforce capacity and strengthen systems, but proper preparedness is required to minimise additional strain on already busy departments.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Factors associated with extended length of stay for paediatric mental health presentations to EDs in South Western Sydney, Australia.
This study aimed to determine the factors associated with extended length of stay (LOS) for paediatric mental health (MH)-related presentations to the EDs in South Western Sydney (SWS). ⋯ Our findings highlight the need for equitable distribution of resources directed towards at-risk CYP to improve MH outcomes and reduce health system burden.
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The three-step programme to treat locum addiction locum dependency in rural EDs is a pervasive issue, leading to significant financial strain and impacting clinical care and staff morale. This article outlines a three-step programme to mitigate this dependency. ⋯ Step three emphasises the role of individual hospitals in effective recruitment, highlighting the benefits of rural living and the potential of NPs to provide departmental continuity and reduce turnover. These reforms, although independent, collectively aim to enhance the quality of care in rural EDs and optimise resource allocation.