Australia's first cardiac emergency department: Patient profile, activity and performance in the initial 6 months.

Objective: To profile the initial 6-month experience at the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) cardiac emergency (CE). The primary objective was to describe VHH CE patient characteristics, including presenting complaint, final diagnosis and disposition. Secondary objectives were to report on patient numbers, patient source and quality indicator performance including ambulance off-load by 40 min, waiting time and length of stay (LOS).

Gender differences in female and male Australian football concussion injury: A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations.

Objective: To examine gender differences in Australian football (AF)-related concussion presentations to EDs in regional Australia.

Methods: A prospective observational study of patients presenting to 1 of the 10 EDs in Western Victoria, Australia, with an AF-related concussion was conducted. Patients were part of a larger study investigating AF injuries over a complete AF season, including pre-season training and practice matches.

Childhood obesity in the ED: A prospective Australian study.

Objective: To determine (i) the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children presenting to all EDs in a large regional Australian city and (ii) whether age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES) or hospital setting (public vs private) were associated with overweight and obesity.

Methods: This prospective observational study included children aged ≥2 and <18 years who presented to any of three EDs over an 18 month period who had their height and weight measured. Age, sex and residential postcode were collected.

Wrist, hand and finger injuries in Australian football: A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations.

Objectives: Investigate the characteristics of wrist, hand and finger (WHF) injuries in Australian footballers presenting to EDs and determine if injury profiles differed between females and males, and between children and adults.

Methods: In this prospective observational study that took place during an entire football season, patients attended 1 of 10 EDs in Victoria, Australia with a WHF injury sustained while playing Australian football. Data were extracted from patient medical records by trained researchers.

Economic consequences of injury in female Australian footballers: A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations.

Objective: Investigate the economic consequences of injuries to female Australian footballers from a health sector and societal perspective.

Methods: This prospective observational study invited 242 females to complete an online questionnaire 3-6 months following an Australian football injury which involved presentation to an ED in Victoria, Australia. The questionnaire inquired regarding healthcare use, time off work, return to playing football and extent of recovery following injury.

Gender differences in female and male Australian Football injuries - A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations.

Objectives: To compare injury-profiles of females and males presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) with an Australian Football injury.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Methods: All patients presenting to one of 10 EDs in Victoria, Australia, with an Australian Football injury were included in the study.

Implementation of a checklist to assist in the rapid identification of seriously ill children in the emergency department: an observational study.

Aim: Interventions are required to expedite the identification and treatment of seriously ill children in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the implementation of a features of serious illness in children checklist (FSIC) for ED nursing staff would be associated with a reduction in the presentation-to-treatment time (PTTT) among children who required hospital admission and active treatment.

Methods: An observational study was conducted 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after the implementation of the FSIC.

Gluteal compartment syndrome.

Gluteal compartment syndrome is uncommon and is often diagnosed late, resulting in muscle necrosis and sciatic nerve palsy. The mainstay of treatment is prompt diagnosis and early surgery. A high index of suspicion is essential, especially in the setting of major bleeding and excessive pain.