The Australian journal of rural health
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Aust J Rural Health · Feb 2020
Using quality improvement strategies to strengthen regional systems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health in the Northern Territory.
In the Katherine region, Northern Territory, barriers to eye care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people include unclear eye care referral processes, challenges coordinating patient eye care between various providers, complex socioeconomic determinants and a lengthy outpatient ophthalmology waiting list. ⋯ Our findings highlight the importance of engaging services and stakeholders to ensure a systems approach that is evidence-informed, contextually appropriate and reflects commitment to improved eye health outcomes.
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Aust J Rural Health · Feb 2020
Heart disease, hospitalisation and referral: Coaching to Achieving Cardiovascular Health through cardiac rehabilitation in Queensland.
To describe rates of hospitalisation and Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health referral, for Queensland's adults with heart and related disease, and comparisons between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous peoples in northern Queensland. ⋯ Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were more likely to be admitted to hospital for heart and related disease and referred to Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health than non-Indigenous peoples. However, hospitalisation and Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health referral rates are unlikely to reflect the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples especially in rural and very remote areas given their higher mortality and morbidity rates and fewer services.
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Aust J Rural Health · Feb 2020
The Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic: Improving time to colonoscopy for eligible positive faecal occult blood test patients in Broken Hill NSW.
This pilot project aimed to assess whether the Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic is an effective and safe model to reduce the time from a positive faecal occult blood test referral to a gastroenterologist-performed colonoscopy, and its effect on meeting the 120-day recommendation. ⋯ The Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic offers a safe and effective intervention that reduces wait-time to colonoscopy in eligible patients with positive faecal occult blood test within the recommended 120 days. Further research is recommended, but Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic has the potential to improve timely access to colonoscopy services and outcomes for all positive faecal occult blood test patients.
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Aust J Rural Health · Dec 2019
Critical care burden of skin and soft tissue infection in Central Australia: More than skin deep.
To describe the epidemiology, critical care resource use of and outcomes from an intensive care admission for a skin or soft tissue infection in Central Australia. ⋯ The annualised incidence of skin or soft tissue infection requiring intensive care support in Central Australia is higher than expected. This probably reflects the high burden of chronic disease and poor living conditions. While there is no mortality burden associated with skin or soft tissue infection in Central Australia, there is substantial morbidity. The data from this study adds weight to the call for improved primary health resources for this group.