Publications by authors named "Alastair MacLean"

Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use is widespread in EDs and throughout those practising medicine. Between institutions and specialities, there is widespread variety and training. With this comes the risk of patient harm and backlash to a clinically useful modality.

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Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use is widespread in EDs and throughout those practising medicine. Between institutions and specialities, there is widespread variety and training. With this comes risk of patient harm and backlash to a clinically useful modality.

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Aim: To explore factors influencing fever management practices and antipyretic use among New Zealand Emergency Department (ED) doctors and nurses using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of doctors and nurses across 11 New Zealand EDs. The questionnaire examined eight of 12 TDF domains, based on a generic questionnaire validated to assess TDF-based determinants of health-care professional behaviour.

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Objectives: To assess (i) paediatric fever management practices among New Zealand ED doctors and nurses, including adherence to best practice guidelines; and (ii) the acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of antipyretics for relief of discomfort in young children.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of doctors and nurses across 11 New Zealand EDs. The primary outcome of adherence to paediatric fever management best practice guidelines was assessed with clinical vignettes and defined as single antipyretic use for the relief of fever-related discomfort.

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Aim: To quantify staff burnout and wellbeing in emergency departments (EDs) throughout New Zealand (NZ).

Methods: A national cross sectional electronic survey of New Zealand clinical and non-clinical ED staff was conducted between 9 March and 3 April 2020. Burnout and wellbeing were assessed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and a variety of quantitative measures.

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A 51-year-old man with multiple risk factors for ischaemic heart disease attended the emergency department (ED) with sudden-onset chest pain, dizziness and breathlessness. He was tachycardic but had normal heart sounds and normal QRS complexes on ECG. Bedside ultrasound was performed, revealing a pericardial effusion.

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