Predicting short-term and long-term mortality in elderly emergency patients admitted for intensive care.

Objective: The long-term outcomes of intensive care for the growing elderly cohort are not well defined. We explored the predictive factors for 12-month mortality in elderly patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit within 24 hours of emergency department (ED) presentation.

Design, Setting And Participants: A retrospective cohort study of 506 patients aged 80 years and over who were admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital ICU within 24 hours of presentation to the ED, between 1 January 2005 and 1 December 2010.

Mental health-related learning needs of clinicians working in Australian emergency departments: a national survey of self-reported confidence and knowledge.

Objective: To identify the mental health-related learning needs of doctors and nurses working in Australian EDs.

Methods: A purpose-designed survey was developed, and face validity was verified by 12 doctors and nurses. A cross-sectional survey of a national sample of nurses and senior doctors (registrars and consultants) working in EDs across Australia was then undertaken.