EMA Journal December 2013

This report, from the Emergency Care Improvement & Innovation Clinical Network, describes a project that used a multimodal approach, grounded in quality and safety theory, to improve consistency in clinical practice, minimise risks and strengthen clinical governance arrangements for paediatric sedation across a number of Victorian EDs. Key activities addressed clinical governance, risk assessment and procedure documentation, training and credentialing of clinicians, and clinical audit of key quality and safety measures. This multi-modal implementation strategy supported by an evidence-based programme and resources enabled clinical practice improvements across organisational boundaries. New oral anticoagulants (NOACs)  (Abstract) Three NOACs are now available for clinical use in Australia. To inform the use of these agents in the ED setting, this comprehensive review by Wood provides an overview of the pharmacology, indications for use, and aspects of laboratory testing and the management of bleeding. Multicentre RCTs have demonstrated at least equivalent efficacy to the current standard of care, i.e. warfarin, including major bleeding rates but with important reductions in intracranial bleeding with all NOACs. Adverse serious bleeding events, as related to high-risk populations, and concerns regarding reversibility of NOACs are discussed Characteristics and risk stratification of patients with acute chest pain  (Abstract) Patients with acute chest pain are common ED ...
Source: Life in the Fast Lane - Category: Emergency Medicine Doctors Authors: Tags: Education eLearning EMA Emergency Medicine Featured Journal burden of GP patients Burnout chest pain EMA Journal emergency medicine australasia NOACs oral anticoagulants paediatric procedural sedation Saline therapy Source Type: blogs