Objective The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of patients presenting to the ED with suspected and confirmed COVID‐19 during Australia's ‘second wave’. Methods The COVID‐19 ED (COVED) Project is an ongoing prospective cohort study in Australian EDs. This analysis presents data from 12 sites across four Australian states for the period from 1 July to 31 August 2020. All adult patients who met the criteria for ‘suspected COVID‐19’ and underwent testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 in the ED were eligible for inclusion. Study outcomes included a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test result, mechanical ventilation and in‐hospital mortality. Results There were 106 136 presentations to the participating EDs and 12 055 (11.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.2–11.6) underwent testing for SARS‐CoV‐2. Of these, 255 (2%) patients returned a positive result. Among positive cases, 13 (5%) received mechanical ventilation during their hospital admission compared to 122 (2%) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 negative patients (odds ratio 2.7; 95% CI 1.5–4.9, P = 0.001). Nineteen (7%) SARS‐CoV‐2 positive patients died in hospital compared to 212 (3%) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 negative patients (odds ratio 2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.7, P = 0.001). Strong clinical predictors of the SARS‐CoV‐2 test result included self‐reported fever, sore throat, bilateral infiltrates on chest X‐ray, and absence of a leucocytosis on first ED blood tests (P < 0.05). Conclusions In this prospective multi‐site study during Australia's ‘second wave’, a substantial proportion of ED presentations required SARS‐CoV‐2 testing and isolation. Presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 on nasopharyngeal swab was associated with an increase in the odds of death and mechanical ventilation in hospital.

Objective: To report the frequency of electric scooter-related trauma and association with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including presentations from 1 January 2017 to 31 May 2022 to a metropolitan health service. Results: There were 272 cases included, with increasing frequency, of which 65 (24%) had AOD exposure. Most AOD-related trauma occurred at night, among males, without helmet use, had higher injury severity, requirement for surgical intervention and longer hospital length of stay. Conclusions: Urgent preventive measures with a focus on reducing AOD exposure and promoting of helmet use is indicated.

Objective: Supported by the state government, three health networks partnered to initiate a virtual ED (VED), as part of a broader roll-out of emergency telehealth services in Victoria. The aim of the present study (Southeast Region Virtual Emergency Department-1 [SERVED-1]) was to report the initial 5-month experience and included all patients assessed through the service over the first 5 months (1 February 2022 to 30 June 2022). Methods: VED consults occurred after referral from paramedics in the pre-hospital setting. Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed for demographic, presenting complaint and outcome data. The primary outcome was the count of VED consultations. The secondary outcome was the proportion of patients where physical ED attendance was avoided within 72 h. The proportion of physical ED attendances avoided sub-grouped by primary presenting complaints were reported. Results: There were 1748 patients who had a VED consultation, of which 1261 (72.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 70.0-74.2) patients had physical presentation to an ED avoided in the 72 h following the consult. There was a significant increase in consultations over the 5-month period (incidence rate ratio 1.27; 95% CI 1.23-1.31, P < 0.001) that was consistent in the three health services. The most common presenting complaints were COVID-19 and shortness of breath, and physical presentation was avoided most often among younger patients and those with COVID-19. Conclusions: Initial experience demonstrated a significant increase in adoption of the service and an overall avoidance of physical ED attendance by a majority of patients. These results support ongoing VED consultations, complemented by follow up and health economic evaluations.