A prospective observational study of a novel 2-phase infusion protocol for the administration of acetylcysteine in paracetamol poisoning.

Context: The current 3-phase acetylcysteine infusion for paracetamol poisoning delivers half the dose over 15-60 min and frequently results in adverse reactions.

Objective: We aimed to determine adverse reaction frequency with a modified 2-phase infusion protocol with a longer initial infusion.

Materials And Methods: A prospective observational study of a modified 2-phase acetylcysteine protocol was undertaken at two hospitals.

Whole-body computed tomography in the initial assessment of trauma patients: is there optimal criteria for patient selection?

Objective: To describe the use of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) at this Major Trauma Centre; to determine independent predictors of multi-region injury; and to evaluate the accuracy of the decision to perform WBCT in detecting multi-region injury.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed at a single Major Trauma Centre in New South Wales, Australia. All adult patients who triggered trauma team activation and required an initial CT scan were studied.

Effect of the elderly and increasing injury severity on acute hospital resource utilization in a cohort of inner city trauma patients.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relative effect of elderly patients and increasing injury severity on acute hospital costs and inpatient length of stay.

Methods: A prospective study of all trauma team activations at a single inner city trauma centre was conducted over a 1-year period. Costs were imputed using Australian Refined Diagnosis-Related Groups.