{
  "id": 14370327,
  "title": "Melbourne ER flirts with acupuncture, trials test needles over painkillers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/melbourne-er-flirts-with-acupuncture-trials-test-needles-over",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-14T04:20:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/10/14/melbourne-er-flirts-with-acupuncture-trials-test-needles-over-painkillers/239034"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melbourne's Northern Hospital Emergency Department is exploring the integration of acupuncture as a non-drug option for patients experiencing acute pain, as part of a research project called the Personalised add-on Acupuncture service at Northern Hospital Emergency Department for Acute Pain (Panda). RMIT University and Northern Health have teamed up to investigate how registered acupuncturists can collaborate with emergency department clinicians to enhance patient comfort and streamline care, potentially reducing hospital stays. The project diverges from clinical trials by focusing on the practical implementation of acupuncture in a bustling emergency setting. Initial results indicate a significant interest among both patients and healthcare workers in non-pharmacological pain management, with over 90% of surveyed patients expressing a willingness to consider acupuncture as a pain relief alternative. Furthermore, 90% of surveyed healthcare workers voiced their support for incorporating non-drug options into patient care. The Panda project has chosen a panda mascot, symbolizing its mission to alleviate suffering and provide reassurance to distressed patients.",
  "summary": "MELBOURNE, Oct 14 — An Australian research project is testing whether acupuncture can be integrated into hospital...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}