RESUMO
The problems of electrical phenomena striking the human body have been with us since early man observed the effect of lightning. The first generator was invented in the early 19th century, and commercial electricity generation began in 1849. By the early 1900s death from electric shock had been well described and its effect was thought to be irreversible. During the 1960s studies began to show that with prolonged resuscitation survival is possible.
Assuntos
Traumatismos por Eletricidade/terapia , Unidades de Queimados , Traumatismos por Eletricidade/classificação , Emergências , Traumatismos Cardíacos/terapia , HumanosRESUMO
Unofficial registers or casualty "Black books" have evolved to assist busy casualty department staff in the identification of patients who are suffering from Munchausen's syndrome, are drug abusers or have other "problem" disorders. Fourteen of Melbourne's 17 general public hospitals have such books which contain information on 835 patients. Amalgamation of information from all of these books reduced this to 713 individual patients, of whom 21 were regarded as cases of Munchausen's syndrome, 20 were probable cases, 652 were classified as drug abusers and 20 were classified as dangerous patients. All four groups shared a similar mean age, between 32 and 37 years. Munchausen's syndrome patients showed greater tendency to use aliases. Men predominated in all four groups, especially among dangerous patients. Conventional records rely upon obtaining an honest and accurate name and information from the patient and are quite inadequate for the identification and treatment of patients with Munchausen's syndrome and drug abusers. When these conditions are suspected, a detailed standard identification form, suitable for computerization, should be used at all hospitals.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Munchausen/epidemiologia , Sistema de Registros , Adulto , Austrália , Comportamento Perigoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Síndrome de Munchausen/economia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Emergency care: where untrained laymen sometimes rush in, many doctors are reluctant to become involved in fear their attempts might result in additional injury to the patient and an action for malpractice. The doctor (accustomed to approaching each new patient with a routine of history taking and examination) is ill equipped by his or her training for the different priorities of accident work. To become expert in emergencies the practitioner must have a plan of action, some special apparatus and training in a few techniques, but procedures should be limited to those necessary to get the injured safely and quickly to appropriate medical care.
