Emergency Medicine Australasia

In this December issue
Hughes G
From Other Journals
Beck S, Honan B, Mallows JL and Ting J
Emergency medicine needs a narrower scope and a broader worldview
Jerram T
What can emergency medicine in Australasia learn from the NHS?
Shanahan TAG
Emergency medicine will stay big and become the acute decision-making nexus of future health systems
Skinner CA
The future of emergency medicine in Australasia
Smith JI
Divide and conquer? Emergency medicine subspecialties in Australasia
Metcalfe RD
Effects of a Virtual Trauma Clinic on admissions and length of stay for minor to moderate trauma
Shuja A, Balian F, Dinh MM, Seimon R, Truman J and Oliver M
To investigate the feasibility of a Virtual Trauma Clinic (VTC) for patients with minor to moderate trauma, and evaluate patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Reducing mechanical restraint in emergency departments: International perspectives and Taiwan's experience
Lan CH and Wei LC
Care during conflicts: Emergency support systems in Oceania
Tin D, Cheng L, Braitberg G, Naitini I, A de Jesus G and Ciottone G
The present study analyses Oceania's protest and conflict events (2021-2022) to aid healthcare systems better understand the scope of the issue.
RE: The use and impact of pathology tests in emergency department patients with mental health-related complaints: A cross sectional study
La Q and Lo DF
We can do better: Recommendations for mental health crisis care from people with lived experience
Roennfeldt H, Glover H, Castles C, Roper C, Hill N, Byrne L and Hamilton BE
The ED is increasingly the first point of contact for people who have no alternative when they are in a mental health crisis. However, there is mounting evidence of inadequate and negative responses to mental health crises in the ED, which has been identified as a 'human rights flashpoint'. This paper presents the desired crisis support from people who have accessed the ED in a mental health crisis and offers significant opportunities to use lived experience knowledge to reshape crisis care. These key messages arise from a phenomenological analysis of in-depth interviews with 31 users of ED services, a PhD study conducted by a lived experience researcher. The paper concludes with six recommendations that combine collective wished-for responses with tangible examples of how these desired responses can be translated into crisis care practice.
Review article: Primer for clinical researchers on innovative trial designs for emergency medicine
Lee KJ, Middleton M and Mahar RK
Randomised trials have long been recognised as the gold standard research tool for evidence-based medicine. The past decade has seen the emergence of several innovative trial designs that are revolutionising how trials are conducted. These innovative designs enable more efficient, pragmatic trials that can address complex research questions which were previously not possible. In this paper, we provide an overview of the key innovative designs that are likely to be useful in the emergency medicine context, namely cluster crossover and stepped wedge designs, sequential multiple assignment randomised trial (SMART) designs, and platform trials. We describe the main features of each design, outline their pros and cons, and describe when they may or may not be useful. We also provide examples of these innovative designs in contexts that are relevant to emergency medicine.
The diagnostic utility of prehospital hyperglycaemia in major trauma patients: An observational study
Shahab J, Noonan M, Cox S, Nehme Z, Shepherd M, Meadley B, Mitra B and Olaussen A
Stress-induced hyperglycaemia (SIH) is an elevated blood glucose level (≥11.1 mmol/L) in patients experiencing physiological stress, in the absence of diabetes mellitus. Although early in-hospital SIH has been associated with worse outcomes following major trauma, the predictive value of SIH in the prehospital setting has not been established. To investigate the role of prehospital SIH as a predictor of in-hospital mortality following major trauma.
Impact of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine on an emergency department
Deans J, Burns B, Portas W, Hannah C, Buchanan J and Motashar Y
To assess the impact of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine roll-out on an ED. Primary outcomes are ED length of stay (LOS), investigation ordering and costs. Secondary measures are compliance with the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia and New Zealand (THANZ) Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenia Syndrome (VITT) guidelines.
An introduction to functional neurological disorders in the emergency department
Eden M
Practical strategies for caring for patients with functional neurological disorder in the ED
Lehn A
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) presents unique challenges in the emergency department (ED), where patients often arrive with varied and vague symptoms that can be difficult to address. This article provides practical strategies for effectively managing and supporting FND patients in the ED, emphasizing a compassionate, systematic approach, tailored treatments, appropriate use of investigations, and ensuring continuity of care. Key principles include clear communication of the diagnosis, preventing iatrogenic harm, and facilitating appropriate referrals for follow-up care. Consistent and respectful language is important when managing patients with FND. Creating a calm environment reduced stress and symptom exacerbation. Thorough history taking and examination can help build the patient's confidence in their diagnosis. Validating symptoms and providing a clear explanation of the diagnosis are important. FND presentations, such as functional weakness and seizures, require tailored interventions with early involvement of physiotherapy and/or psychological support. A low threshold for investigating potential comorbid neurological conditions should be maintained when patients present to ED, especially in cases of unclear diagnoses or acute presentations, while avoiding repetitive testing that may reinforce illness behaviour. Managing FND in the ED requires a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach. By adopting these strategies, health professionals can improve outcomes and support patients in managing their condition effectively.
From other journals
Beck S, Honan B, Mallows JL and Ting J
Big data, big promise and big issues
Kelly AM
Experience, knowledge, practices and attitudes of emergency department medical staff regarding teledermatology
Walter S, Chiew AL and Martin LK
The present study aimed to assess self-reported experience, knowledge, practices and attitudes of ED medical staff regarding teledermatology.
In this October issue
Hughes G