Transdisciplinary care in the emergency department: A qualitative analysis

In response to increasing demands some emergency departments have introduced transdisciplinary care coordination teams. Such teams comprise staff from multiple disciplines who are trained to perform roles outside their usual scope of practice. This study aimed to critically evaluate the patient, carer and ED staff perceptions of the transdisciplinary model of care in an emergency department in a Melbourne metropolitan hospital. The evaluation of the transdisciplinary team involved interviews with patients and carers who have received the transdisciplinary team services, and focus groups with emergency nursing and transdisciplinary team staff. Analysis of the data revealed that the transdisciplinary model provided an essential service, where staff members were capable of delivering care across all disciplines. The ability to perform comprehensive patient assessments ensured safe discharge, with follow-up services in place. The existence of this team was seen to free up time for the emergency nursing staff, enabling them to see other patients, and improving department efficiency while providing quality care and increasing staff satisfaction. This study identified several important factors which contributed to the success of the transdisciplinary team, which was well integrated into the larger emergency department team.

Early changes in peripheral retina following concussive ocular injuries: an experimental study

Images

Structural changes in the outer retinal layers following blunt mechanical non-perforating trauma to the globe: an experimental study

Structural changes in the external retinal layers of pigs' eyes that had previously been subjected to blunt non-perforating mechanical injuries have been described. Within minutes of trauma fragmentation of the photoreceptor outer segments and damage to the retinal pigment epithelium was recorded in areas of retina adjacent to the missile impact site on the sclera. One week after injury the disrupted photoreceptor outer segments disappeared, and the inner segments came to lie adjacent to the retinal pigment epithelium. Evidence of regeneration of photoreceptor outer segments was noted 2 weeks later.