Emergencies
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Follow the links below to find our information partners' articles about emergency situations and treatments.
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Last reviewed: April 2020
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Adrenaline autoinjectors||General use - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors (e.g EpiPen®) are approved for use in Australia and New Zealand for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction.
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
EpiPen
EpiPen(R) and EpiPen Jr(R) are pre-loaded syringes that inject a single dose of adrenaline for the emergency treatment of adults and children who experience severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, or 'allergic shock').
Read more on Queensland Health website
Diagnosis - Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
It is important that the diagnosis of a food allergy is made by a medical practitioner with experience in food allergy. Never self-diagnose or rely on anecdotal information for a diagnosis.A person who is suspected of having a food allergy should obtain a referral to see an allergy specialist for correct diagnosis, advice on preventative management and emergency treatment. A referral to a dietitian may also be required, particularly with multiple food allergies.People diagnosed with a potent
Read more on Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia website
How to give Emerade - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
How to give Emerade
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
Does a practitioner have to see a patient? - NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
Does a practitioner have to see a patient?
Read more on NSW Health Care Complaints Commission website
Emergency departments | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government
Information about emergency departments in public hospitals including where they are located, costs, how they work, and what people can expect when visiting.
Read more on Queensland Health website
Emergency department - what to expect - Better Health Channel
You are treated as soon as possible in an emergency department, but someone who arrived after you may be seen earlier if necessary.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
CPR for babies: Aboriginal parents | Raising Children Network
Use this picture guide for Aboriginal parents to find out how to give CPR when a baby is not breathing.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
CPR for newborns and babies: in pictures | Raising Children Network
Get illustrated steps to CPR for babies. Our guide shows you how to do rescue breathing and chest compressions. You can print it out for easy reference.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) | Better Health Channel
Read more on Better Health Channel website
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Legal - Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment Factsheet
Decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment can be difficult. Sometimes they are made by the person themselves (if they have capacity), and sometimes they are made on behalf of the person (if they no longer have capacity). This factsheet explains the key legal principles about withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.
Read more on End of Life Directions for Aged Care ELDAC website
Diabetic Coma - Symptoms and Causes | Ausmed
Very low or very high blood glucose levels are primary causes of diabetic coma occurring in people with diabetes. There are 3 types of diabetic coma: diabetic ketoacidosis coma; hyperosmolar coma and hypoglycaemic coma. Diabetic coma is regarded as a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Hypothermia: Reversible Causes of Cardiac Arrest Series
Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature drops to below 35°C (95°F). Primary hypothermia occurs when the ability of an otherwise healthy person to maintain core body temperature is overwhelmed by excessive cold temperatures, particularly when energy stores in the body have been depleted.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Hyperglycaemia - a Diabetes Emergency | Ausmed
Hyperglycaemia is the medical condition in which a patient presents with abnormally high levels of glucose circulating in their bloodstream (Better Health Channel 2014). It is common for people not to experience the symptoms of hyperglycaemia until their blood sugar levels reach this high level.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Community use of naloxone for opioid overdose | Issue 4 | Volume 40 | Australian Prescriber | Australian Prescriber
Will training laypeople in the use of naloxone reduce accidental opioid overdose deaths?
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Chest Pain Assessment: When Your Patient Has Chest Pain
One of the most important skills available to the healthcare worker in this situation is the ability to perform an accurate pain assessment. This is particularly the case when a patient is experiencing chest pain, as it will help to determine whether the pain is cardiac in nature.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Medications to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a review of the evidence | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There is moderate quality evidence for the efficacy of hydrocortisone for the prevention of PTSD development in adults
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Managing behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia | Issue 4 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
Behavioural and psychological symptoms are perhaps the commonest complication of dementia syndromes.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Updating the management of sexually transmitted infections | Issue 6 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
The control of sexually transmitted infections relies on case-finding and treatment of sexual contacts to prevent further transmission. Screening for...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
