Improving domestic violence screening practices in the emergency department: an Australian perspective.

Introduction: Domestic violence (DV) is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The ED is a location recommended for opportunistic screening. However, screening within EDs remains irregular.

COVID-19 personal protective equipment protocol compliance audit.

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance is important to reduce the rate of transmission of virulent pathogens to health care workers. Medical officer compliance with PPE protocol for COVID-19 was audited in a regional hospital in Australia early in the pandemic response.

Methods: Compliance was assessed based on the order and technique of donning and doffing PPE, with medical officers from multiple departments and levels of seniority audited.

Identifying the site for intercostal catheter insertion in the emergency department: is clinical examination reliable?

Objective: To determine whether ED doctors, comprising both consultants and registrars, can accurately identify the 4th or 5th intercostal space (ICS), commonly used for intercostal catheter insertion.

Methods: An observational study was designed using a sample of ED doctors applying their clinical skills to a convenience sample of patients reflecting a heterogeneous mix of ED patients. Patients already receiving a CXR in our ED were examined by a registrar or consultant who placed a radiopaque marker on the patients' chest wall over the site they determined to be the 4th or 5th ICS.

Clinical supervisors and cultural competence.

Objective: To investigate how clinical supervisors of junior doctors provide feedback and assessment on cultural competence, one of several professionalism skills outlined in the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors.

Methods: Twenty clinical supervisors were recruited to a qualitative study in a regional hospital in Queensland, Australia. Data from semi-structured interviews (June-August 2011) were thematically analysed.

Laboratory investigation into optimal temperature for plaster of Paris application.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the relationship between heat generated and time taken to reach maximum temperature when creating plaster of Paris casts, in relation to dipping water temperature and plaster slab thickness.

Methods: The study was conducted in a laboratory setting. A standard procedure for dipping, draining, layering and covering plaster slabs was developed.