Objectives: The aims of the present study were to determine the publication rate of abstracts presented by Australasian emergency physicians at major emergency medicine meetings and to identify the site of publication of papers. Method: All free paper abstracts presented (oral and poster) by Australasian emergency physicians and trainees at five Australasian College for Emergency Medicine/Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine and International Conference on Emergency Medicine meetings between 1995 and 1998 were identified retrospectively from conference programmes. In order to determine whether or not the abstract had been published, the PubMed database (http://www4.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/) was searched using the presenter’s name and key words from the abstract. In addition, a hand search of the non‐abstracted journal Emergency Medicine was conducted. Results: Of the 207 free paper abstracts identified, 73 (35%) had been published as full articles. Papers were published in a variety of journals; however, Emergency Medicine accounted for almost half the published papers. The mean time between presentation and publication was 12.6 months (median 11 months). Conclusion: The abstract to publication rate for papers presented by Australasian emergency physicians and trainees at Australasian College for Emergency Medicine/Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine and International Conference on Emergency Medicine meetings is 35%, which is lower than that reported by some other established specialities, but comparable to rates reported for US‐based national and international emergency medicine meetings. Future research should look at barriers to the publication of findings and ways to assist the publication process. See Commentary, page 407.

This series has demonstrated that CPAP therapy delivered via a face mask for the treatment of acute severe APO is safe and effective when applied to a broad range of patients. We recommend the use of CPAP therapy for all suitable patients presenting in severe APO irrespective of age or underlying pulmonary disease.

ObjectiveTo report our experience with the use of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in patients aged 80 years and over, with particular reference to complications, intubation rates, impact on resources and quality of care.