Gaming National Emergency Access Target performance using Emergency Treatment Performance definitions and emergency department short stay units.

Objective: To evaluate potential gaming of the 4 h ED length of stay metric known as the National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) in Australia and Emergency Treatment Performance (ETP) in New South Wales (NSW).

Methods: Descriptive statistical analysis was used to recalculate and compare the scores for NEAT and the NSW ETP using variations in the definitions of their measurement on 32 184 presentations during 2016. A computer simulation using a discrete event model illustrated the effect of the use of ED short stay beds on the ETP scores.

Concurrent outbreaks of cholera and peripheral neuropathy associated with high mortality among persons internally displaced by a volcanic eruption.

Background: In October 2004, Manam Island volcano in Papua New Guinea erupted, causing over 10 000 villagers to flee to internally displaced person (IDP) camps, including 550 from Dugulaba village. Following violence over land access in March 2010, the IDPs fled the camps, and four months later concurrent outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea and unusual neurological complaints were reported in this population.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted to identify the risk factors for peripheral neuropathy.