Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2003
Critical illness and its impact on the Aboriginal people of the top end of the Northern Territory, Australia.
The Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) services a relatively large and geographically remote Aboriginal population who account for 45% of intensive care unit admissions. Critical illness in the Aboriginal population is different from the non-Aboriginal population of the "Top End" of the Northern Territory. ⋯ English is a second, third or fourth language for many Aboriginal people from remote communities and strategies must be put in place to ensure informed consent and effective communication are achieved. Despite the increased severity of illness and complexity, the Royal Darwin Hospital ICU achieves the same survival rates for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2003
Case ReportsPropofol infusion syndrome--report of an adult fatality.
This report describes a fatal case of the propofol infusion syndrome in an adult patient being sedated for a closed head injury using high doses of propofol. The features of circulatory collapse, metabolic acidosis, mild rhabdomyolysis and renal impairment are consistent with the syndrome and not readily attributable to alternative aetiologies. Potential mechanisms for the syndrome may relate to antagonism of beta-receptors, impaired myocardial oxygen utilization and a specific disruption to fatty-acid oxidation. This is the first published Australian case of the propofol infusion syndrome in an adult and should serve as an additional case report to the existing literature highlighting this potentially fatal syndrome in adults.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2003
Use of the Internet for patient care: a nationwide survey of Australian anaesthetists.
The internet is an increasingly important source of information for anaesthetists. We sought to determine the extent and patterns of internet use among Australian anaesthetists, and to assess its effect on clinical decision-making. A postal survey of all Australian Fellows of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (n = 2344) was performed. ⋯ The majority used the internet at least once a month for patient care, and over 50% had made clinical decisions influenced by information found on the internet. In contrast, less than 20% had had any training in its use. In terms of access, rural Australia did not appear to be disadvantaged.