The Medical journal of Australia
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
A new model of care and in-house general practitioners for residential aged care facilities: a stepped wedge, cluster randomised trial.
To evaluate whether an alternative model of care in aged care facilities, including in-house general practitioners, influenced health outcomes for residents. ⋯ Recruiting GPs to work directly in residential aged care facilities is difficult, but may reduce the burden of unplanned presentations to hospitals and increase the reporting of adverse events.
-
To estimate the carbon footprint of five common hospital pathology tests: full blood examination; urea and electrolyte levels; coagulation profile; C-reactive protein concentration; and arterial blood gases. ⋯ The carbon footprint of common pathology tests was dominated by those of sample collection and phlebotomy. Although the carbon footprints were small, millions of tests are performed each year in Australia, and reducing unnecessary testing will be the most effective approach to reducing the carbon footprint of pathology. Together with the detrimental health and economic effects of unnecessary testing, our environmental findings should further motivate clinicians to test wisely.