Oxycodone prescribing in the emergency department during the opioid crisis.

Objective: Misuse of prescription opioids is a significant public health issue in Australia. There has been a rapid rise in prescription opioid use, with an associated increase in overdose and death. The over-prescribing of oral opioids, especially oxycodone, in the ED has been identified as a contributor to this problem overseas.

Bilateral vertebral artery dissection and cerebellar stroke: a rare complication of massage.

Dissection of a cervical artery is a well-known cause of stroke, especially in younger patients. We describe the case of a 39-year-old male, who presented to our emergency department after a one-day history of headache and vomiting, with associated sudden onset posterior neck pain and cerebellar signs following a massage. Computed tomography angiogram and brain demonstrated bilateral vertebral artery dissection and cerebellar stroke.

Prevalence and utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency department: A prospective observational study.

Objective: An observational study on the current diagnostic and procedural utility, as well as impact of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the emergency department (ED).

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been recognised as a useful non-invasive bedside tool in providing valuable information, as well as its utility in procedural guidance for clinicians. However, its current prevalence and utility in ED remain unknown.

Emergency department staff and susceptibility to pertussis: a seroprevalence study.

Objective: To determine the proportion of ED staff who are susceptible to pertussis. There was evidence that some winter leave in southern Tasmania might be a reason of pertussis infection among unimmunized staff. This results in loss of individual earning and loss of availability of staff during the peak demand periods in the ED.

Impact of blood testing on patient disposition from the emergency department.

Objective: To determine whether blood test results lead to a change in planned disposition of patients from the ED.

Methods: A prospective review of the anticipated and actual disposition of patients from the ED before and after blood test results, including stratification by seniority of medical staff.

Results: There were 256 patients enrolled, 53% had blood tests requested.