The Medical journal of Australia
-
To audit the use of management algorithms for chest pain in an emergency department. ⋯ Use of management algorithms by emergency staff was poor. When used, triage decisions were more likely to be correct. Subsequent outcome confirms that the NHMRC risk stratification algorithms are useful for prognostic stratification of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome.
-
Group programs of cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention provide better outcomes than medical consultations alone. Tightly specified goals for secondary prevention are now more rigorous than ever before and should be reached by all patients. ⋯ Psychosocial adjustment problems are common in cardiac patients and their families, but these can be significantly reduced by appropriate rehabilitation strategies. Patients with additional needs should be identified (e.g., some working patients require work assessment, employer contact, additional exercise and specified return-to-work guidelines).
-
To compare the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among Aboriginals in New South Wales with the incidence among Aboriginals in the Northern Territory, and to compare the patterns of ESRD among Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in NSW. ⋯ There is a different pattern of incidence of ESRD and of outcomes with treatment among Aboriginals in NSW compared with those in the NT. A possible explanation is that the lower incidence in NSW reflects less profound socioeconomic disadvantage and better access to primary and specialist care.