Knowledge of Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptoms and the Intention to Call Emergency Medical Services in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Australians.

BACKGROUND: Prompt recognition of symptoms and response to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are crucial for reducing pre-hospital delay. This study compares culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and non-CALD Australian populations in terms of their (i) ACS symptom knowledge and (ii) intention to call emergency medical services (EMS) for ACS. METHOD: This cross-sectional study used data from HeartWatch, an online survey collected by the National Heart Foundation of Australia between 2018 and 2020 for Australian adults aged ≥18 years. CALD respondents were defined as non-Indigenous individuals who reported speaking a language other than English at home. Characteristics associated with ACS symptom knowledge and EMS calling intentions were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 31,919 respondents, 16.3% were from CALD backgrounds (n=5,212). Compared with non-CALD, CALD respondents were less likely to name any ACS symptom (63.0% vs 76.0%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.70) and were less likely to state that they would call an ambulance for ACS (50.2% vs 72.1%; AOR 0.53; 95% CI 0.50-0.57). Almost one-quarter (23.0%) of CALD respondents reported not knowing what they would do. In both groups, males, individuals aged ≤60 years, and those with diabetes were less likely to name an ACS symptom and had lower intention to call an ambulance. Those unable to list a single ACS symptom also had a lower intention to call an ambulance. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of ACS symptoms and intention to call an ambulance were lower among CALD respondents. The demographics of those with low ACS symptom knowledge and EMS calling intention were similar in the two groups. Future education efforts in Australia should focus on promoting ACS symptom knowledge and EMS use and should target these groups.

Declining Public Awareness of Heart Attack Warning Symptoms in the Years Following an Australian Public Awareness Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The National Heart Foundation of Australia's (NHFA) Warning Signs campaign ran between 2010 and 2013. This study examines trends in Australian adults' ability to name heart attack symptoms during the campaign and in the years following. METHODS: Using the NHFA's HeartWatch data (quarterly online surveys) for adults aged 30-59 years, we conducted an adjusted piecewise regression analysis comparing trends in the ability to name symptoms during the campaign period plus one year lag (2010-2014) to the post-campaign period (2015-2020) RESULTS: Over the study period, there were 101,936 Australian adults surveyed. Symptom awareness was high or increased during the campaign period. However, there was a significant downward trend in each year following the campaign period for most symptoms (e.g., chest pain: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.91, 95%CI: 0.56-0.80; arm pain: AOR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.90-0.94). Conversely, the inability to name any heart attack symptom increased in each year following the campaign (3.7% in 2010 to 19.9% in 2020; AOR=1.13, 95%CI: 1.10-1.15); these respondents were more likely to be younger, male, have less than 12 years of education, identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, speak a language other than English at home and have no cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: Awareness of heart attack symptoms has decreased in the years since the Warning Signs campaign in Australia, with 1 in 5 adults currently unable to name a single heart attack symptom. New approaches are needed to promote and sustain this knowledge, and to ensure people act appropriately and promptly if symptoms occur.

Success rates and outcomes of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy.

BACKGROUND: Uterovaginal prolapse is a prevalent gynaecological issue, which can have a negative impact on the quality of life of women. Hysterectomy and vaginal repair are conventional treatments to address apical prolapse; however, women are increasingly requesting uterine-preserving alternatives. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy on symptomatic prolapse from an Australian experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study presents outcomes of 157 patients who underwent laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy at a private practice in South Australia during 2007-2017. Primary outcome is the success rate according to the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system. Secondary measures included complication rates and patients identified as having Stages III-IV prolapse and their outcomes. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years (27-86 years), median parity was 2 (0-6), and median body mass index was 26.8 (23-29.9). One hundred and thirty-four women had a laparoscopic hysteropexy and concurrent vaginal prolapse repair and four women had an isolated laparoscopic hysteropexy. The mean pre-operative point C was 0.60. The mean change from pre-operative point C to post-operative point C was 7.6 cm (P < 0.01). Of the 136 patients (98.6%) seen at post-operative 4-6 weeks, all had Stage 0 POP-Q scores. Prolapse recurrence was observed in 22 patients, while 116 patients remained cured at their last follow-up. Prolapse recurrence was associated with anterior vaginal mesh, previous prolapse surgery, pre-operative Stage III-IV disease and number of vaginal deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy is an effective and safe procedure with a high success rate comparable to available international data.

Association Between Maternal Iodine Intake in Pregnancy and Childhood Neurodevelopment at Age 18 Months.

There are limited and inconsistent data suggesting that mild iodine deficiency in pregnancy might be associated with poorer developmental outcomes in children. Between 2011 and 2015, we conducted a prospective cohort study in Australia examining the relationship between maternal iodine intake in pregnancy and childhood neurodevelopment, assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III), in 699 children at 18 months. Maternal iodine intake and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) were assessed at study entry (<20 weeks' gestation) and at 28 weeks' gestation. Maternal iodine intake in the lowest (<220 µg/day) or highest (≥391 µg/day) quartile was associated with lower cognitive, language, and motor scores (mean differences ranged from 2.4 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 4.8) to 7.0 (95% CI: 2.8, 11.1) points lower) and higher odds (odds ratios ranged from 2.7 (95% CI: 1.3, 5.6) to 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3, 5.7)) of cognitive developmental delay (Bayley-III score <1 SD) compared with mothers with an iodine intake in the middle quartiles. There was no association between UIC in pregnancy and Bayley-III outcomes regardless of whether UIC and the outcomes were analyzed as continuous or categorical variables. Both low and high iodine intakes in pregnancy were associated with poorer childhood neurodevelopment in this iodine-sufficient population.

Efficacy of botulinum toxin in modifying spasticity to improve walking and quality of life in post-stroke lower limb spasticity - a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke lower limb spasticity (PSLLS) has a prevalence of 28-37%. PSLLS can cause difficulty in walking and reduce quality of life (QOL). Post stroke spasticity impairs the ability to intervene to improve walking ability. Botulinum Toxin A (BT) is an effective intervention for focal spasticity, but its use is currently restricted in many countries by their reimbursement system stating that the evidence for improvement in walking and quality of life (QOL) is not robust for treatment in the lower limb. This randomized control trial (RCT) will investigate the effectiveness of BT in modifying spasticity, and improving functioning (mobility, walking, activities of daily living (ADL's) and QOL. METHODS/DESIGN: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial injection will assess the effect of BT compared with a placebo (normal saline) in a sample of n = 94 patients. Following treatment of spasticity measured by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), the primary outcome of gait velocity will be measured by i) Gait Rite (Electronic Walkway); ii) walking by 2 Min Walk Test; iii) balance by Berg Balance Scale; mobility by iv) Timed Up and Go (TUG); v) lower limb function by ABILICO; vi) patient related goal by Goal Attainment Scale (GAS); vii) QOL by SF 12 (Rand version); viii) activities of daily living by the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF). There will be an associated health economic analysis. DISCUSSION: The study methodology is based on our systematic review 2026 studies, which concluded the evidence for improving mobility following use of BT to reduce spasticity was not robust. The results of this study could establish the use of BT in improving gait and lower limb function in PSLLS. This study could provide the evidence needed for reimbursement schemes to consider and changes to its funding policy for BT in PSLLS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trails Registry (ANZCTR)- ANZCTRN12617001603303 . Registered 07/12/2017.

Interobserver agreement on interpretation of conventional dacryocystography and dacryoscintigraphy findings: A retrospective single-centre study.

IMPORTANCE: This study assesses the interobserver agreement on dacryocystography (DCG) and dacryoscintigraphy (DSG) findings. BACKGROUND: There are no standard grading criteria to guide the interpretation of conventional DCG and DSG findings and therefore there may be a degree of subjectivity. This study evaluates the level of interobserver agreement in the interpretation of DCG and DSG findings. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 165 patients who presented with epiphora with 276 DCGs and 290 DSGs performed were included in this study. METHODS: DCG and DSG images were obtained, anonymized, randomized and interpreted by three independent oculoplastic surgeons. Standard grading criteria were set for both DCG and DSG images. Data from all observers were analysed for interobserver agreement using Kappa (κ) statistics, generated using a variation of Cohen's kappa for multiple observers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Level of interobserver agreement (κ values) in the grading of DCG and DSG findings. RESULTS: There was an overall moderate interobserver agreement for DCG findings (κ = 0.55), with the highest agreement on interpreting canalicular obstruction (κ = 0.80), followed by proximal nasolacrimal duct obstruction (κ = 0.67) and normal patency (κ = 0.63). There was an overall fair interobserver agreement for DSG findings (κ = 0.36), with the best being moderate agreement (κ = 0.42-0.50) for interpreting pre-sac delay and post-sac proximal delay. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: DCG offers good reliability in interpreting patent and obstructed systems. On the other hand, DSG has poor agreement and highlights some of the limitations in the ability to guide epiphora management.

Low total psoas area as scored in the clinic setting independently predicts midterm mortality after endovascular aneurysm repair in male patients.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative sarcopenia is an established risk factor for poor outcomes after surgery. Methods for assessing sarcopenia are either complex, time consuming, or poorly validated. We aimed to assess the interobserver reliability of scoring psoas area at the level of the L3 vertebra and to evaluate whether sarcopenia scored by this simple and rapid method correlated with other fitness scoring methods or impacted on mortality and duration of stay for patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: We had access to 191 preoperative computed tomography scans of patients who underwent EVAR. For each scan the axial slice at the most caudal level of the L3 vertebra was extracted. Three observers independently calculated the combined cross-sectional area of the left and right psoas muscle at this level. Interobserver variability was calculated as per Band and Altman. Psoas area was normalized for patient height with sarcopenia defined as total psoas area of <500 mm2/m2. The effect of sarcopenia on patient survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Kaplan-Meier curves are also presented. RESULTS: Interobserver reliability of scoring psoas area was acceptable (reproducibility coefficient as percent of mean for each observer pair: 7.92%, 7.95%, and 14.33%). Sarcopenic patients had poorer survival (hazard ratio, 2.37; P = .011) and an increased hospital duration of stay (4.0 days vs 3.0 days; P = .008) when compared with nonsarcopenic patients. Sarcopenic patients were more likely to self-report as unfit (12.4% vs 33.3%; P = .004). Sarcopenia did not correlate with an increased rate of postprocedure complications. CONCLUSIONS: Psoas area scoring has good interobserver reliability. Preoperative sarcopenia as defined by psoas area was associated with poorer survival and of longer length of stay. As all patients being worked up for an endovascular aortic aneurysm repair will undergo a computed tomography scan, this method is a rapid and effective way to highlight patients in the clinic setting who have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality after EVAR.

POWIFF- Prospective study of wrist internal fixation of fracture: A protocol for a single centre, superiority, randomised controlled trial to study the efficacy of the VRP (2.0) distal radius plate (Austofix) versus the VA-LCP (Depuy-Synthes) for distal radius fractures.

BACKGROUND: Distal radial fractures are one of the most common orthopaedic cases that present to the A&E department. Surgical intervention is warranted in displaced intraarticular fractures and fractures with more than the recommended angulation or shortening, and is most commonly treated with volarly placed fixed angle locking plates. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the efficacy of two different plates for surgical treatment of distal radius fractures. The VRP 2.0 is a new plate produced by the Austofix company and this system will be compared against the VA-LP (Variable angle-locking plate) produced by Depuy-Synthes which has been used as the standard treatment device. METHODS AND DESIGN: Patients between the ages of 18 and 80 presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with isolated closed distal radial fractures will be invited to participate in this study. A total of 200 patients are required to provide 90% statistical power at a 5% alpha level to detect a difference of 11.5 points on the PRWE (Patient rated Wrist evaluation) score. The primary outcome measure will be the PRWE score while the secondary outcome measures will include the DASH score, EQ5D score, clinical range of movements, grip strength as well as patient perceived return of function at the wrist and time to resumption to work. These will be measured at 6 weeks, 3 months and 12 months. Radiographic indices including the radial tilt, length, volar inclination and plate prominence will also be measured. Complications will be recorded up to 12 months. Post hoc comparisons will be done using paired t tests. An intention to treat and a per protocol analysis will be done to compare the 2 groups. DISCUSSION: Distal radial fractures are increasingly being treated by internal fixation using volar locking plates. However, there is no prospective study to date comparing one plate against another in terms of outcome and complications. This study could provide more information about the best way to treat these injuries surgically. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Trial registration date-17/11/2016. Trial registration number- ACTRN12616001590459 .

Type II Endoleak after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Natural History and Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of type II endoleaks and linkage to aneurysm rupture is unclear. Likewise, treatment recommendations are controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, factors associated with type II endoleaks, and outcomes in an Australia cohort of patients who have undergone endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Data from 693 patients who underwent EVAR between 2009 and 2013 at multiple institutions across Australia were studied. Patients who developed (1) type II endoleak and (2) type II endoleak with sac expansion were compared for preoperative demographics, mortality, sac expansion, aneurysm rupture, and intervention rates. RESULTS: A total of 225 patients developed type II endoleak over a mean follow-up of 1.9 years (±1.0 years), out of which 133 spontaneously resolved, 37 were untreated unresolved, and 16 underwent intervention. Type I and III endoleaks occurred in 50 and 19 patients, respectively. Smoking (P = 0.002) and warfarin (P = 0.044) were protective factors for development of type II endoleak, whereas age (P = 0.034), right iliac artery tortuosity (P = 0.031), and right (P = 0.008) and left external iliac diameters (P = 0.028) were risk factors for endoleak. Three patients suffered aneurysm ruptures in the entire cohort. All ruptures occurred in type II endoleak patients, of which two occurred after reintervention and in the absence of sac expansion (>5 mm). Late type II endoleak occurred in 117 patients, out of which 26 had sac expansion. Of those without late type II endoleak, 25 have sac expansion. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between those with and without type II endoleak. Age (P < 0.0001) and smoking (P = 0.001) were significant independent predictive factors for survival in this patient sample. Treatment outcomes were encouraging with most cases involving endoleak resolution (15 of 16 patients) and no sac expansion after intervention (0 of 8 patients with complete follow-up info on sac size). CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysm rupture in patients with type II endoleak is uncommon in our series. Type II endoleak with sac expansion does not appear to be associated with aneurysm rupture. In this series, most aneurysm ruptures occurred in the absence of documented sac expansion and after reintervention.

Acquisition and retention of laparoscopic skills is different comparing conventional laparoscopic and single-incision laparoscopic surgery: a single-centre, prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Training in laparoscopic surgery is important not only to acquire and improve skills but also avoid the loss of acquired abilities. The aim of this single-centre, prospective randomized study was to assess skill acquisition of different laparoscopic techniques and identify the point in time when acquired skills deteriorate and training is needed to maintain these skills. METHODS: Sixty surgical novices underwent laparoscopic surgery (LS) and single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) baseline training (BT) performing two validated tasks (peg transfer, precision cutting). The novices were randomized into three groups and skills retention testing (RT) followed after 8 (group A), 10 (group B) or 12 (group C) weeks accordingly. Task performance was measured in time with time penalties for insufficient task completion. RESULTS: 92 % of the participants completed the BT and managed to complete the task in the required time frame of proficiency. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that SILS (P < 0.0001) and precision cutting (P < 0.0001) were significantly more difficult. Males performed significantly better than females (P < 0.005). For LS, a deterioration of skills (comparison of BT vs RT) was not identified; however, for SILS a significant deterioration of skills (adjustment of BT and RT values) was demonstrated for all groups (A-C) (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Our data reveal that complex laparoscopic tasks (cutting) and techniques (SILS) are more difficult to learn and acquired skills more difficult to maintain. Acquired LS skills were maintained for the whole observation period of 12 weeks but SILS skills had begun to deteriorate at 8 weeks. These data show that maintenance of LS and SILS skills is divergent and training curricula need to take these specifics into account.

Evaluation of postoperative pain scores following ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane block versus local infiltration following day surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy-retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postoperative pain for day surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy has traditionally been managed with the surgeon infiltrating the wound with local anesthetic (LA). However, transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has recently been used, although its superiority over LA remains uncertain. The primary aim was to compare LA and TAP block pain scores and analgesia used. The secondary aim was to assess satisfaction score and cost. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was commenced after ethics committee approval and ANZ clinical trial registry (ACTRN: 12612000737831). The data were collected from the theatre database and medical records of patients presenting for day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The sample included patients who received either bilateral port site LA infiltration with 20 ml of 0.25% Bupivacaine or bilateral TAP block with 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and fentanyl postoperative pain protocol. The patients with incomplete medical records were excluded as were those admitted to an inpatient ward. Demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained from the hospital record along with pain score and postsurgery analgesia use. Postoperative pain satisfaction scores were collected by telephonic interview 30-180 days postsurgery. RESULTS: Of 51 patients analyzed, 19 were in TAP group 29 in LA group. There were no significant differences between the LA and TAP groups with respect to postoperative pain scores (P = 0.31) or patient satisfaction scores (1 and 2+) (P = 0.36). However, fentanyl consumption in the recovery room was significantly lower in TAP group (P = 0.0079.). The consumables cost were >3 times higher in the TAP when compared to LA group. CONCLUSION: The performance of the TAP block with respect to pain management was comparable to LA. However, LA remains more cost effective.

Self-reported fitness of American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair predicts patient survival.

BACKGROUND: Most patients undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are classified American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 3. However, the severity of systemic disease among these patients can vary, resulting in markedly different levels of fitness. In this study, we explored the hypothesis that ASA 3 patients with good self-reported exercise tolerance have better survival after EVAR. METHODS: Data for EVAR patients classified ASA 3 were extracted retrospectively from a prospectively collected registry database. Patients were split into two groups according to fitness level, based on their self-reported ability to climb stairs or to walk briskly for 1 km. Patient survival for each group was assessed by Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: During follow-up of 392 patients for a mean of 1.9 years, there were 64 deaths (16.3%), 13.4% in the more physically able group and 21.6% in the less able group. Self-reported inability to walk or to climb stairs was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 3.55; P < .0001). Following risk adjustment for a number of possible confounding variables, fitness remained significant (hazard ratio, 3.03; P = .0011). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that among ASA 3 patients, self-reported exercise capacity is an excellent means of predicting survival. Physicians should consider the physical fitness of their ASA 3 patients when discussing treatment options.

Frailty and functional decline indices predict poor outcomes in hospitalised older people.

BACKGROUND: admission to a Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit (GEMU) can optimise a patient's chance of functional recovery. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the ability of several commonly used frailty and functional decline indices to predict GEMU outcomes, both at discharge and at 6 months. DESIGN: prospective, observational study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: consecutive GEMU patients aged ≥70 years. METHODS: patients were classified as 'frail' or 'at high risk of functional decline' using several frailty and functional decline instruments. Predictive ability was evaulated using logistic regression and area under receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves (auROC). RESULTS: a total of 172 patients were included. Frailty prevalence varied from 24 to 94% depending on the instrument used. Several instruments predicted patients at risk of poor outcome, including the Frailty Index of Accumulative Deficits (FI-CD), Fried's Cardiovascular Health Study index, the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures index, an adapted Katz score of activities of daily living (ADL), Instrumental ADL, the Score Hospitalier d'Evaluation du Risque de Perte d'Autonomie (SHERPA) and grip strength [odds ratio (OR) range of 2.06-6.47]. Adequate discriminatory power for discharge outcome was achieved by the FI-CD (auROC = 0.735, P < 0.001) and an adapted Katz score (auROC = 0.704, P = < 0.001). The FI-CD also showed adequate discriminatory power for a poor 6-month outcome (auROC = 0.702, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: frailty and functional decline instruments can predict older patients at risk of poor outcome. However, only the FI-CD showed adequate discriminatory power for outcome prediction at both follow-up time-points.

Should diagnosis codes from emergency department data be used for case selection for emergency department key performance indicators?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the suitability of emergency department (ED) discharge diagnosis for identifying patient cohorts included in the definitions of key performance indicators (KPIs) that are used to evaluate ED performance. METHODS: Hospital inpatient episodes of care with a principal diagnosis that corresponded to an ED-defined KPI were extracted from the Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) for the year 2010-2011. The data were then linked to the corresponding ED patient record and the diagnoses applied in the two settings were compared. RESULTS: The asthma and injury cohorts produced favourable results with respect to matching the QHAPDC principal diagnosis with the ED discharge diagnosis. The results were generally modest when the QHAPDC principal diagnosis was upper respiratory tract infection, poisoning and toxic effects or a mental health diagnosis, and were quite poor for influenza. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variation in the capture of patient cohorts using discharge diagnosis as recorded on Queensland Hospital Emergency Department data. WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE TOPIC? There are several existing KPIs that are defined according to the diagnosis recorded on ED data collections. However, there have been concerns over the quality of ED diagnosis in Queensland and other jurisdictions, and the value of these data in identifying patient cohorts for the purpose of assessing ED performance remains uncertain. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD? This paper identifies diagnosis codes that are suitable for use in capturing the patient cohorts that are used to evaluate ED performance, as well as those codes that may be of limited value. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS? The limitations of diagnosis codes within ED data should be understood by those seeking to use these data items for healthcare planning and management or for research into healthcare quality and outcomes.

Correction: Identifying areas of Australia with high out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence and low bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation rates: A retrospective, observational study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301176.].

Identifying areas of Australia with high out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence and low bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation rates: A retrospective, observational study.

AIM: This study aims to explore regional variation and identify regions within Australia with high incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and low rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHOD: Adult OHCAs of presumed medical aetiology occurring across Australia between 2017 and 2019 were mapped onto local government areas (LGA) using the location of arrest coordinates. Bayesian spatial models were applied to provide "smoothed" estimates of OHCA incidence and bystander CPR rates (for bystander-witnessed OHCAs) for each LGA. For each state and territory, high-risk LGAs were defined as those with an incidence rate greater than the state or territory's 75th percentile and a bystander CPR rate less than the state or territory's 25th percentile. RESULTS: A total of 62,579 OHCA cases attended by emergency medical services across 543 LGAs nationwide were included in the study. Nationally, the OHCA incidence rate across LGA ranged from 58.5 to 198.3 persons per 100,000, while bystander CPR rates ranged from 45% to 75%. We identified 60 high-risk LGAs, which were predominantly located in the state of New South Wales. Within each region, high-risk LGAs were typically located in regional and remote areas of the country, except for four metropolitan areas-two in Adelaide and two in Perth. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified high-risk LGAs, characterised by high incidence and low bystander CPR rates, which are predominantly in regional and remote areas of Australia. Strategies for reducing OHCA and improving bystander response may be best targeted at these regions.

Pre-pregnancy BMI: costs associated with maternal underweight and obesity in Queensland.

BACKGROUND: The economic costs of maternal obesity and underweight have not been described. We aim to assess the effect of maternal underweight and obesity on hospital utilisation and hospital costs. METHODS: Data from the Queensland Perinatal Data Collection and Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection were analysed for 2008. The sample included 37,912 Queensland resident mothers with a singleton pregnancy who gave birth in a public facility. Outcome measures were hospital length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs accrued during the birth admission and during pre- and postnatal admissions within 90 days of the birth admission. RESULTS: There were 1,581 (4.2%) underweight, 17,175 (45.3%) normal weight, 10,155 (26.8%) overweight and 9,001 (23.7%) obese women. Maternal obesity was associated with significantly longer stays although effect sizes were modest (≤0.5 days) and specific to women who delivered vaginally. LOS was significantly higher among babies born to underweight mothers when compared to those born to normal weight women. Maternal obesity was associated with a total increase of $5 million in mothers' hospital costs when compared to those amongst normal weight women; the corresponding figure for underweight mothers was $385,734. The total hospital costs for babies born to underweight women were $1.6 million higher than those born to mothers in the normal weight category. Maternal obesity was not associated with an increase in babies' hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal obesity contributed to an increase in mothers' hospital LOS and hospitalisation costs. Maternal underweight contributed to an increase in babies' hospital costs.

Pediatric Distraction Tools for Prehospital Care of Pain and Distress: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Distraction therapies are widely used in emergency departments to manage pediatric pain and distress. Little is known about which distraction techniques would translate best into the prehospital environment. OBJECTIVE: To identify emergency department-based distraction techniques for managing pain and/or distress in pediatric patients who may be suitable for the prehospital environment. DATA SOURCES: Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane library, World Health Organization Clinical Trials Registry and Google Scholar were searched from their beginning to May 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they reported on: (1) distraction techniques, (2) pediatric ED patients, (3) with pain and/or distress, and (4) used interventional or observational study designs. Studies utilizing interventions not feasible in the prehospital setting were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Three authors independently assessed eligibility and completed data extraction. RESULTS: The search yielded 4516 records, and 29 studies were included. Risk of bias across all studies was moderate to high. Children were 3 months to 18 years old. Digital, nondigital, and environmental distractors were tested using 12 pain and 15 distress measurement tools. No significant negative outcomes were reported. Fifteen studies reported reductions in self-reported pain and/or distress. Active, nondigital distractors most consistently reduced pain. There was insufficient evidence to support a distraction type for distress. LIMITATIONS: The heterogeneity in study design, distractors, measurement tools, and reporting restricted statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction tools that effectively reduce pediatric pain and/or distress in the ED exist and could be adapted to the prehospital environment. Further research is required to determine feasibility and effectiveness.

The development of a risk-adjustment strategy to benchmark emergency medical service (EMS) performance in relation to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Australia and New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to develop a risk adjustment strategy, including effect modifiers, for benchmarking emergency medical service (EMS) performance for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Australia and New Zealand. METHOD: Using 2017-2019 data from the Australasian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (Aus-ROC) OHCA Epistry, we included adults who received an EMS attempted resuscitation for a presumed medical OHCA. Logistic regression was applied to develop risk adjustment models for event survival (return of spontaneous circulation at hospital handover) and survival to hospital discharge/30 days. We examined potential effect modifiers, and assessed model discrimination and validity. RESULTS: Both OHCA survival outcome models included EMS agency and the Utstein variables (age, sex, location of arrest, witnessed arrest, initial rhythm, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation prior to EMS arrival, and EMS response time). The model for event survival had good discrimination according to the concordance statistic (0.77) and explained 28% of the variation in survival. The corresponding figures for survival to hospital discharge/30 days were 0.87 and 49%. The addition of effect modifiers did little to improve the performance of either model. CONCLUSION: The development of risk adjustment models with good discrimination is an important step in benchmarking EMS performance for OHCA. The Utstein variables are important in risk-adjustment, but only explain a small proportion of the variation in survival. Further research is required to understand what factors contribute to the variation in survival between EMS.

The epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Australia and New Zealand: A binational report from the Australasian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (Aus-ROC).

INTRODUCTION: The Australasian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (Aus-ROC) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) Epistry (Epidemiological Registry) now covers 100% of Australia and New Zealand (NZ). This study reports and compares the Utstein demographics, arrest characteristics and outcomes of OHCA patients across our region. METHODS: We included all OHCA cases throughout 2019 as submitted to the Epistry by the eight Australian and two NZ emergency medical services (EMS). We calculated crude and age-standardised incidence rates and performed a national and EMS regional comparison. RESULTS: We obtained data for 31,778 OHCA cases for 2019: 26,637 in Australia and 5,141 in NZ. Crude incidence was 107.9 per 100,000 person-years in Australia and 103.2/100,000 in NZ. Overall, the majority of OHCAs occurred in adults (96%), males (66%), private residences (76%), were unwitnessed (63%), of presumed medical aetiology (83%), and had an initial monitored rhythm of asystole (64%). In non-EMS-witnessed cases, 38% received bystander CPR and 2% received public defibrillation. Wide variation was seen between EMS regions for all OHCA demographics, arrest characteristics and outcomes. In patients who received an EMS-attempted resuscitation (13,664/31,778): 28% (range across EMS = 13.1% to 36.7%) had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital arrival and 13% (range across EMS = 9.9% to 20.7%) survived to hospital discharge/30-days. Survival in the Utstein comparator group (bystander-witnessed in shockable rhythm) varied across the EMS regions between 27.4% to 42.0%. CONCLUSION: OHCA across Australia and NZ has varied incidence, characteristics and survival. Understanding the variation in survival and modifiable predictors is key to informing strategies to improve outcomes.