ABSTRACT
The first defence of the America's Cup outside of the USA took place off Fremantle, Western Australia, between October, 1986 and February, 1987. Fremantle Hospital, the nearest hospital to the marinas, was involved in the planning for disasters and for the provision of clinical services to the syndicates involved and the projected crowds of tourists and spectators. The impact of this unique sporting event on the hospital was measured by collecting data from all patients whose presence in Fremantle was related to the yachting. The America's Cup resulted in only 654 attendances and 31 admissions over the 5 months of the event. The figures fell far short of those predicted. A number of conclusions have been drawn.
Subject(s)
Emergency Service, Hospital/organization & administration , Health Planning/organization & administration , Sports , Water , Athletic Injuries/diagnosis , Athletic Injuries/therapy , Disaster Planning , Humans , Prospective Studies , United States , Western AustraliaABSTRACT
Observation wards have not been discussed in the Australian literature. In the United Kingdom, the few published reports suggest that they are an essential part of the function of emergency departments. This paper presents the results of a survey of 44 major Australian hospitals regarding their use of observation wards. Half the hospitals that were surveyed had such wards but variations existed in the way that they functioned. Nearly half the remaining hospitals wanted to establish an observation ward. Our concept of observation wards is discussed.
Subject(s)
Emergency Service, Hospital , Hospital Units/organization & administration , Hospitals, Public , Australia , Emergency Service, Hospital/organization & administration , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Hospital Units/standards , Hospital Units/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Western AustraliaABSTRACT
Midazolam meleate, a water soluble 1,4 benzodiazepine, was used intravenously in 20 patients suffering seizures, of whom 12 were in status epilepticus. In all cases, midazolam in a dose of 2.5-15 mg rapidly terminated the seizure. There were no complications from the use of midazolam. The causes of the seizures were varied but alcohol-withdrawal seizures were the single largest cause. Thirteen patients were taking some form of anticonvulsant medication but only three were in the therapeutic range. Midazolam is seen to be an effective agent in the emergency treatment of seizures.
