Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · May 2012
Multicenter StudyCurrent discharge management of acute coronary syndromes: baseline results from a national quality improvement initiative.
Evidence-practice gaps exist in the continuum of care for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), particularly at hospital discharge. ⋯ The findings of our baseline audit showed that despite the robust evidence base and availability of national guidelines, the management of patients with ACS can be improved. These findings will inform a multifaceted intervention strategy to improve adherence to guidelines for the discharge management of patients with ACS.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2012
Multicenter StudyTransfer from residential aged care to emergency departments: an analysis of patient outcomes.
In order to design optimal systems to meet the acute healthcare needs of the frail elderly living in residential care, good clinical information is essential. The aims of this study were to analyse the casemix and outcomes of patients transferred from residential aged care facilities to public hospital emergency departments in New South Wales. ⋯ Patients transferred from aged care facilities to emergency departments are predominantly high-acuity patients with a substantial likelihood of hospitalisation, intervention and death. Nevertheless, scope exists for some episodes of acute care, in both discharged and admitted patients, to be provided outside a hospital setting.
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyA rapid infusion protocol is safe for total dose iron polymaltose: time for change.
Intravenous correction of iron deficiency by total dose iron polymaltose is inexpensive and safe, but current protocols entail prolonged administration over more than 4 h. This results in reduced patient acceptance, and hospital resource strain. We aimed to assess prospectively the safety of a rapid intravenous protocol and compare this with historical controls. ⋯ Iron polymaltose can be successfully administered using a rapid total dose infusion protocol and was well accepted by patients. It offers significant cost, resource utilization and time benefits for the patient and hospital system.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyHospital doctors' attitudes towards older people.
Ageism among health professionals is increasingly recognized, but few studies investigated hospital doctors' attitudes towards older people. The aims of this study were to investigate hospital doctors' attitudes towards older people and to determine whether factors, which were identified in studies on other health professionals, influence hospital doctors' attitudes. ⋯ Hospital doctors of different demographic features and background characteristics display different attitudes towards older people. These findings can be used to inform future development of undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula and form a basis for future studies on the effectiveness of these interventions in improving doctors' attitudes.
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Internal medicine journal · Mar 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyThe Bosentan Patient Registry: long-term survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The Bosentan Patient Registry (BPR) was a prospective, multicentre, Australian registry funded by Actelion Pharmaceuticals. The primary aim of the registry was to collect survival data in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treated with bosentan. ⋯ This large Australian registry provides 'real life' information on the characteristics and management of PAH in clinical practice. Treatment with bosentan improved survival outcomes in both iPAH and SSc-PAH compared with historical controls. Age, disease severity and aetiology were critical factors in determining clinical outcomes.