ACEM - Policies and Regulations

24 Mar 2023

Policy on Clinical Privileges for Emergency Physicians

The clinical privileges of emergency physicians (FACEMs) include direct clinical patient care, supervision of clinical staff, clinical support and risk management. Activities include quality assurance, teaching, research, participation in the maintenance of professional standards, and working with ACEM to further emergency medicine.

22 Aug 2023

Policy on Provision of EM Telephone Support to Health Professionals

Advice given to medical colleagues by telephone cannot constitute a full assessment, and ED staff should err on the side of caution in providing an opinion. Where advice is given, the date, time and the advice should be documented, as should the identity and role of the caller, and the patient for whom advice was given.

22 Aug 2023

Policy on the Follow-up of Results of Investigations Ordered from EDs

This document relates to follow up of results of investigations ordered from emergency departments (EDs). ACEM recognises that investigation ordering is an integral part of emergency medicine. Clinicians in EDs must ensure the results of investigations ordered from that department are followed up within a clinically appropriate timeframe.

01 Nov 2023

Implementation of the Australian Triage Scale in Emergency Departments

This guideline details the clinical descriptors for each of the five ATS categories, and describes the overarching principles and minimum standards for the implementation of the ATS.

01 Nov 2023

Policy on the Australasian Triage Scale

The Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) is designed for use in emergency department settings throughout Australia and New Zealand. The role of the ATS is as a clinical tool for ensuring that patients are seen in a timely manner, commensurate with their clinical urgency. The ATS should only be used to describe urgency.

01 Nov 2023

Constructing a Sustainable ED Medical Workforce

Demand for ED care is increasing in terms of patient numbers, complexity/severity of presenting conditions, and community/government expectation. This document provides a framework for establishing and maintaining an ED medical workforce, outlining how health services should plan appropriate and sustainable staffing models.

01 Nov 2023

Policy on EM Consultation Standards of Care

This document outlines the standards that apply to every emergency medicine consultation. An emergency medicine consultation is a complex, structured process of significantly variable length, depending on patient complexity. The consultation should maximise patient benefit, while minimising delay and inefficiency in the patient journey.

01 Nov 2023

Statement on Rural Emergency Medicine

ACEM believes that everyone has the right to timely, safe and quality emergency care and is committed to advocating for improved service planning and development across hospital, community health services, community and cultural organisations in rural areas. ACEM defines a number of principles for achieving this outcome.

01 Dec 2023

Guidelines on Pathology Testing in the Emergency Department

Pathology tests are a common and important component of patient management in emergency departments. This ACEM/RCPA joint document advises on indicated testing, specimen collection and timeliness of results. Inappropriate testing can lead to management delays, difficulties around follow-up and increased costs.

01 Aug 2024

Policy on Violence in Emergency Departments

Staff and the public have the right to an environment, that is therapeutic and safe from violence. Violence and aggression in the ED and its vicinity are unacceptable. We support implementation of evidence-based harm prevention strategies.