Tertiary Survey in the Days of Modern Imaging: Assessing the Detection Rate of Clinically Significant Injuries on Tertiary Survey in a Level 2 Trauma Centre.

Aim: To determine the utility of tertiary survey (TS) in patients subjected to whole-body CT (WBCT) or selective CT (SCT) following trauma.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on trauma patients admitted to a level 2 trauma centre following the introduction of a standardised TS form in 2017. The initial imaging protocol (WBCT versus selective CT versus x-ray), subsequently requested imaging, standardised injury data, and length of stay (LOS) were recorded.

Assimilation of Biophysical Neuronal Dynamics in Neuromorphic VLSI.

Representing the biophysics of neuronal dynamics and behavior offers a principled analysis-by-synthesis approach toward understanding mechanisms of nervous system functions. We report on a set of procedures assimilating and emulating neurobiological data on a neuromorphic very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit. The analog VLSI chip, NeuroDyn, features 384 digitally programmable parameters specifying for 4 generalized Hodgkin-Huxley neurons coupled through 12 conductance-based chemical synapses.

A unifying view of synchronization for data assimilation in complex nonlinear networks.

Networks of nonlinear systems contain unknown parameters and dynamical degrees of freedom that may not be observable with existing instruments. From observable state variables, we want to estimate the connectivity of a model of such a network and determine the full state of the model at the termination of a temporal observation window during which measurements transfer information to a model of the network. The model state at the termination of a measurement window acts as an initial condition for predicting the future behavior of the network.

Multiple interventions with prolonged length of stay are required for treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis.

Background: A proportion of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) develop necrosis. Around a third will become infected, and this is associated with a significant requirement for intervention and support. We evaluated the burden of necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) in an Australian tertiary hospital with regards to morbidity, mortality and resource consumption.

Quantitative study of voice dysfunction after thyroidectomy.

Background: Up to 80% of patients without a recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy report alteration in their voice after a thyroid procedure. The aims of this study were (1) to quantify voice changes after thyroid operation; (2) to correlate the changes to the extent of operation; and (3) to correlate voice changes to intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve swelling.

Methods: Patients undergoing total and hemithyroidectomy were recruited prospectively from the Monash University Endocrine Surgery Unit during a 12-month period.

Parental satisfaction with paediatric care, triage and waiting times.

Objective: The present study aims to determine parental and guardian's perceptions of paediatric emergency care and satisfaction with care, waiting times and triage category in a community ED.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was provided to parents or guardians of paediatric patients presenting to emergency. The survey evaluated parent perceptions of waiting time, environment/facilities, professionalism and communication skills of staff and overall satisfaction of care.

Perioperative complications in patients on low-molecular-weight heparin bridging therapy.

Background: Patients taking warfarin are often given interim anticoagulation in the perioperative period. Institutional guidelines that use low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) 'bridging' while the international normalized ratio (INR) is sub-therapeutic are often based on the American College of Chest Physicians Anticoagulation Guidelines.

Purpose: This study aims to identify if patients at a tertiary referral hospital were anticoagulated in line with these guidelines, and the incidence and nature of bleeding and thromboembolic complications.