The Medical journal of Australia
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To assess the tolerability and survival outcome of curative radiotherapy in patients over the age of 85 years. ⋯ Age should not be the sole discriminator in decisions to prescribe aggressive loco-regional radiotherapy. ECOG PS score predicts for treatment tolerability, and also overall survival. The risk of cancer death was higher than non-cancer death for more than 5 years after treatment.
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Comparative Study
Improving access and equity in reducing cardiovascular risk: the Queensland Health model.
To measure changes in cardiovascular risk factors among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and/or type 2 diabetes enrolled in a centralised statewide coaching program delivered by telephone and mail-out in the public health sector in Queensland. ⋯ A centralised statewide coaching program delivered by telephone and mail-out overcomes obstacles of distance and limited access to health services and facilitates a guideline-concordant decrease in cardiovascular risk.
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To develop a peer-review model for assessment and quality improvement of cancer multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and qualitatively assess its feasibility and acceptability in Australia. ⋯ Peer review of cancer MDTs is feasible and acceptable. We describe valuable lessons learnt and recognise that further development of the proposed peer-review model and national benchmarking of MDTs against established outcome measures is required if this process is to be widely implemented.
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To identify current antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) resources and activities for children in hospitals throughout Australasia, to identify gaps in services. ⋯ Australasian paediatric hospitals have implemented some AMS activities, but most lack resources. There was consensus among the staff who completed our survey that barriers to successful AMS include lack of education and lack of personnel.