Martin Watts

Publications of Martin Watts

• Cattle associated trauma--a one year prospective study of all injuries.

  Authors: Martin Watts, Ethan M Meisel

  Injury. 03/2011; 42(10):1084-7.

  To prospectively study all types and frequency of injuries resulting from direct contact with cattle in an occupational setting. Prospective evaluation of all injuries due to direct contact withTo prospectively study all types and frequency of injuries resulting from direct contact with cattle in an occupational setting. Prospective evaluation of all injuries due to direct contact with cattle presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of a rural District General Hospital over a one year period. Injuries related to cattle were a common reason for presentation to the ED. Some clear patterns of injury were noted. Injuries to the upper extremity were particularly common, especially the hand and wrist and were associated with particular activities and mechanisms. Truncal injuries were less common but do have the potential for serious morbidity and mortality as noted in previous studies. Injuries related to direct contact with cattle are common. We noted an as yet unreported common pattern of injury to the hands of workers kicked whilst handling cattle at milking time. We also noted the previously recognized potential for serious injury due to more proximal body trauma whilst working with large animals. Whilst there is some work available pertaining to injury prevention in this industry, our study demonstrates a need for further work to be done to minimize and prevent future injuries.

• Cannabinoid hyperemesis presenting to a New Zealand hospital.

  Authors: Martin Watts

  The New Zealand medical journal. 02/2009; 122(1290):116-8.

  Cannabis use is common among the general population in many areas of the world and cannibis is readily available in much of New Zealand. We report an unusual complication of chronic cannabis useCannabis use is common among the general population in many areas of the world and cannibis is readily available in much of New Zealand. We report an unusual complication of chronic cannabis use which has recently been described overseas. Cannabinoid hyperemesis with abnormal bathing behaviour is a syndrome of episodic cyclic vomiting, often associated with relief being obtained by hot water bathing or showering. Underlying the disorder is the chronic use of cannabis. The proposed mechanism of the syndrome is accumulation of cannabis metabolites in the brain. Abstaining from cannabis use is likely to prevent ongoing recurrences. Although there have been limited reports in the medical literature, it is likely that the syndrome is commoner than previously recognised and the presentation could easily be confused with psychiatric illness or cyclic vomiting syndromes.

• Comparison of CD-Rom and Internet access to clinical information.

  Authors: John S Fountain, David M Reith, Martin Watts

  International journal of medical informatics. 09/2005; 74(9):769-77.

  INTRODUCTION: The New Zealand National Poisons Centre has developed an extensive clinical poisons information database, TOXINZ. This resource was originally provided on a CD-Rom, and in 2002 madeINTRODUCTION: The New Zealand National Poisons Centre has developed an extensive clinical poisons information database, TOXINZ. This resource was originally provided on a CD-Rom, and in 2002 made accessible solely via the Internet (www.toxinz.com). It was unknown whether users would prefer the CD-Rom or Internet version to access the same information. METHODS: In September 2003 a total of 100 questionnaires were mailed to the emergency departments of 15 hospitals to be answered by medical and nursing staff utilizing the Internet version of TOXINZ. The results were then compared with a nearly identical questionnaire conducted in the same way in the same hospitals when only the CD-Rom database version was available. RESULTS: There was a 79% response rate with both medical and nursing staff rating the poisons management recommendations highly when accessed both on CD-Rom and Internet. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test) identified the Internet accessed database as: supplying better visual aids, being more repetitive, harder to search, and more difficult to print. CONCLUSION: Those developing Internet accessible databases for a healthcare environment are encouraged to incorporate robust search functionality, mobility solutions, and an ability to integrate with other healthcare applications.

• Compliance with poisons center referral advice and implications for toxicovigilance.

  Authors: Martin Watts, John S Fountain, David Reith, Leo Schep

  Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology. 02/2004; 42(5):603-10.

  BACKGROUND: When Poisons Information, or Poisons Control Centers (PCC) give directive advice in response to general public calls it is usually assumed that the advice will be followed, but it isBACKGROUND: When Poisons Information, or Poisons Control Centers (PCC) give directive advice in response to general public calls it is usually assumed that the advice will be followed, but it is difficult to measure the actual compliance of callers to a PCC. Epidemiological data regarding the incidence of poisoning incidents (Toxicovigilance) often utilizes reports of calls to a PCC. METHODS: Retrospective review of advice given to all callers to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre (NZNPC) from a defined area for the calendar year 2001. Callers to the NZNPC telephone hotlines who were advised to attend or not to attend the hospital Emergency Department (ED) were subsequently matched with actual ED visits. RESULTS: The compliance rate for those advised to attend the ED was 76.1%, whereas those advised not to attend had a compliance rate of 98.7%. The overall compliance rate was 94.1%. Of the patients presenting to the ED with a potential poisoning, only 10.2% were referred by the PCC. The callers referred by PCC and direct ED visitors appeared to differ in some respects. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with PCC telephone advice is similar to the compliance rates in many other health interventions. Comparisons between populations calling a PCC and those self-presenting to an ED show that PCC data may not reflect the true burden of poisoning to health care systems.

• Clinical utility of an electronic poisons information and clinical decision support tool.

  Authors: Martin Watts, John Fountain, David M Reith, Peter Herbison

  International journal of medical informatics. 09/2003; 71(1):3-8.

  The objective of the study was to assess the use of a computer toxicology database/clinical decision aid by clinical practitioners. The study investigated the sources that Emergency Department (ED)The objective of the study was to assess the use of a computer toxicology database/clinical decision aid by clinical practitioners. The study investigated the sources that Emergency Department (ED) personnel use to obtain toxicology information and performed a quality audit of the current database. A questionnaire survey of ED staff was used in departments with access to the New Zealand Poisons Centre Substance Database (NZSD), a toxicology CD ROM computer database. Outcome measures were reported use of alternative data sources when managing clinical toxicology presentations and the qualities of the NZSD. Computer databases are commonly used for the management of clinical toxicology cases and the toxicology computer database/clinical decision aid studied is well accepted and used in Emergency Medicine practice. The users of the NZSD assessed the usability and quality of the information of the database.

• Behavioural aspects of marketing information systems

  Authors: David Jobber, Martin Watts

  Elsevier, Omega. 01/1986; 14(1):69-79.

  A survey of 84 users of marketing information systems in 33 companies was conducted to determine the relationship between usage of their systems and (i) attitude factors, (ii) perceivedA survey of 84 users of marketing information systems in 33 companies was conducted to determine the relationship between usage of their systems and (i) attitude factors, (ii) perceived organizational factors, (iii) personality dimensions. Principal components analysis was used to derive underlying attitude and organizational factors as measured by responses to a series of statements derived from exploratory research. Personality was measured by means of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Usage of the system was measured by seven usage variables constructed to capture the various dimensions of usage identified at the exploratory stage of the research. A series of multiple regressions were used to relate the criterion variables (usage dimensions) to each of the predictor variables (attitude factors, perceived organizational factors, and personality). A number of attitude factors, and perceived organizational factors was found to be significantly related to usage. In the main, personality was not related to usage. The results support earlier research in the USA which indicate association between attitudes and usage, and point to the importance of researching organizational aspects which may affect usage. A number of specific features of marketing information systems design is supported by the results of this study. The paper, therefore, provides an analysis of a wider number of factors which may be related to use than earlier studies, provides statistical support for a number of design issues, relates American findings to British experience and is based upon a larger and more comprehensive sample than previous research.

• Wage Dispersion, Job Vacancies and Job Search in Equilibrium.

  Authors: B Curtis Eaton, Martin Watts

  Economica. 02/1977; 44(173).