Pediatric emergency asthma presentations in Southwest Victoria: a retrospective cross-sectional study 2017 to 2020.

Objectives: Australia has one of the highest prevalence of asthma globally, and accessible emergency asthma presentation data remains vital, however, is currently underreported in regional and rural areas. Utilizing the Rural Acute Hospital Data Register (RAHDaR) which includes previously non-reported data, the aim of the study is to provide a more accurate understanding of asthma emergency presentation events, while investigating the factors associated with these presentations.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study collected de-identified emergency asthma presentation data from nine health services in regional Victoria for children aged 0 to 14 years between 2017 and 2020.

Realities of rural emergency medical services disaster preparedness.

Introduction: Disaster preparedness is an area of major concern for the medical community that has been reinforced by recent world events. The emergency healthcare system must respond to all types of disasters, whether the incidents occur in urban or rural settings. Although the barriers and challenges are different in the rural setting, common areas of preparedness must be explored.

Readiness to change problematic drinking assessed in the emergency department as a predictor of change.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine if baseline readiness to change the drinking behavior (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action stages) was predictive of change in drinking after unrelated emergency department (ED) visit and screening and interviewing for alcohol problems.

Methods: From August 1998 through December 2000, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was administered to all consented ED patients aged 18 to 29 years. A brief motivational interviewing was provided to screen-positive patients (AUDIT score >5 of 40).

Unmet substance abuse treatment need, health services utilization, and cost: a population-based emergency department study.

Study Objective: There is a high prevalence of unmet substance abuse treatment need among adult hospital emergency department (ED) patients. We examine the association between this unmet need and excess utilization of health services and estimate costs.

Methods: A statewide, 2-stage, probability sample survey was conducted in 7 Tennessee general hospital EDs from June 1996 to January 1997.

A brief summary of alcohol intervention research at West Virginia University from 1998-2003.

Injury resulting in death and disability and alcohol-related problems are two major problems in West Virginia, yet few effective preventive strategies are available. A relatively simple and effective preventive strategy, appropriate for all health care providers, can help to alter excessive alcohol consumption and its resulting harm and consequences. Over the past five years, a series of alcohol intervention projects have been conducted in the Emergency Department at West Virginia University Hospital and other medical settings.

Assessing safety awareness and knowledge and behavioral change among West Virginia loggers.

Objective: To determine if a video used during logger training influences safety attitude, knowledge, and workplace habits.

Method: From April 2002 to October 2003, loggers receiving training through the West Virginia Division of Forestry were given a new safety module. This consisted of a pre-training survey, viewing video, brief introduction to field safety guide, and an immediate post-training survey.

ATV-related deaths in West Virginia: 1990-2003.

During the 14-year period from 1990-2003, West Virginia experienced 220 deaths related to All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Death rates in West Virginia however, were significantly higher than the national rate or those of any of the its five surrounding states. About 25% of the West Virginia deaths occurred in children less than 18 years of age.

Matched analysis of parent's and children's attitudes and practices towards motor vehicle and bicycle safety: an important information gap.

The purpose of this study was to compare parents' and children's attitudes and habits towards use of bicycle helmets and car seat belts. We hypothesized that parental perception of their children's safety practices did not reflect actual behavior and further, that parental practices, rather than their beliefs about a particular safety practice, have a greater affect on their child's risk-taking behavior. The study population consisted of children in grades four and five and their parents/guardians.

Screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems among college students treated in a university hospital emergency department.

The authors evaluated a protocol to screen and provide brief interventions for alcohol problems to college students treated at a university hospital emergency department (ED). Of 2,372 drinkers they approached, 87% gave informed consent. Of those, 54% screened positive for alcohol problems (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score < or = 6).

Alcohol problems among young adult emergency department patients: making predictions using routine sociodemographic information.

Objectives: The study aims were to explore the process of identifying young adult Emergency Department (ED) patients at risk for alcohol problems, examine the sociodemographic predictors of patient alcohol problems, and determine differences between patients who screened positive and those who screened negative for alcohol problems. Implications for ED practice are discussed.

Method: As part of a larger study, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was administered to consenting patients ages 18 to 29.

Occupational deaths in West Virginia's older workers: 1980-1998.

West Virginia has an average of 69 work-related deaths per year from 1980 through 1998. Seventeen percent of these deaths occurred in workers age 55 or older. The death rate among these workers was 12.

Estimated annual cost of all terrain vehicle-related deaths in West Virginia: 1990-1999.

In response to a request from West Virginia lawmakers preparing to introduce legislation related to the safe operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), estimates were calculated for the economic cost of fatal injuries associated with ATV use. Using the reported number of deaths from the U.S.

Hospital preparedness for weapons of mass destruction incidents: an initial assessment.

Study Objective: We performed an assessment of hospital preparedness for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III.

Methods: Interviews of hospital personnel were completed in 30 hospitals. Data collected included level of preparedness, mass decontamination capabilities, training of hospital staff, and facility security capabilities.

Differences in alcohol risk profiles between college students and college-age non-students presenting for care in the emergency department.

PURPOSE: Determine whether college students and non-students seeking emergency medical care experience different lifestyle choices, alcohol-use patterns, and risk profiles.METHODS: Patients aged 18-25 seen in a university-affiliated ED between August 1998 and June 1999 who had >/=1 drinks within the past year were eligible. Patients scoring >5 out of a possible 40 on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) were considered at elevated risk for alcohol problems and were interviewed further to determine alcohol-use patterns and history.

Work-related fatalities in west virginia. A summary of surveillance, investigation, and prevention activities, july 1996-DECEMBER 1999.

PURPOSE: From 1990-95, West Virginia (WV) had a work-related death (WRD) rate of 8.9 deaths per 100,000-the fifth highest rate among all states and twice the national rate. As a result, a Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (WV FACE) program was established to identify all WRDs, define workers at high risk for fatal injury, investgate selected causes, and formulate and disseminate prevention strategies.

Adolescent all-terrain vehicle deaths in West Virginia, 1990-1998.

West Virginia had the third highest number of ATV-related deaths and the highest death rate among all states from 1990-98. Adolescents were identified as a particularly high-risk ATV user group. Fatality data from the U.

Work-related deaths in West Virginia from July 1996 through June 1999: surveillance, investigation, and prevention.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation model is used to identify and describe work-related deaths in West Virginia. Through a statewide surveillance network, this model identifies work situations at high risk for fatal injury, investigates selected causes (falls, machinery-related, and logging), and formulates and disseminates prevention strategies to reduce the frequency and impact of those injuries. A total of 163 persons died from work-related injuries from July 1996 through June 1999.

Nonfatal logging-related injuries in West Virginia.

A survey was conducted via mail among West Virginia certified loggers to determine the number of nonfatal, logging-related injuries received during the past 12 months that required medical attention or restricted job ability. Loggers were asked to describe injuries, safety training, and protective equipment use. Thirty percent (546/1816) responded to the survey, and 9% (42/481) of those directly involved in logging operations reported injuries.

Status of women in academic medicine at West Virginia University School of Medicine.

The committee on Women in Academic Medicine at West Virginia University conducted a study to compare the status of women in academic medicine at West Virginia University with national averages. We obtained data on gender distributions, ranks, degrees, and administrative titles of full-time women faculty members. Our data showed that 26% of WVUSOM faculty are women.

Boxer's fracture: an indicator of intentional and recurrent injury.

The objective was to describe the population of patients presenting with a boxer's fracture (BF), to determine how often BF is an intentional injury, to determine if it is a predictor of recurrent injury, and to compare the rates of intentional injury and injury recidivism between patients with BF and those with other injuries. An emergency department (ED)-based injury surveillance system (EDBISS) in a university-affiliated ED (census of 35,000) provided data on injured patients presenting between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1996. Chart review was performed.

Comparison of domestic violence screening methods: a pilot study.

Study Objective: Previous studies have indicated a number of barriers to screening for domestic violence (DV) in an emergency department setting. These barriers result in inconsistencies which determine who is screened as well as the content and quality of the information obtained, and if uncontrolled they are likely to affect measurements of DV incidence in ED populations. The objectives of this project were to design a screening tool that circumvented these barriers and sources of error; to assess whether such an alternative method of screening for DV was acceptable to our patients; and to determine whether the alternative and traditional methods of screening for DV would yield comparable results.

Snakebite injuries: contributing factors and intentionality of exposure.

The objective was to study the intent of exposure to snakes and other factors contributing to snakebite injuries in order to develop prevention strategies. We used a retrospective chart review and a follow-up telephone interview of snakebite victims who were admitted to a tertiary care center between 1985 and 1994. The data collected included demographics, intent of exposure and host and environmental factors.

Injury recidivism in a rural ED.

Study Objective: To determine the degree of injury recidivism in our ED population and to identify indicators of injury recidivism.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review in a university-affiliated department of emergency medicine. The study participants were patients who presented for treatment of an injury.