The New Zealand medical journal
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To introduce, to assess the use of and the staff understanding of a do not resuscitate policy. ⋯ There is a need for further staff education and discussion of the issues surrounding do not resuscitate orders. Discussion with patients and their families could be improved.
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To review the rate of survival to hospital discharge of victims of out of hospital cardiac arrest in Christchurch 1992-3. ⋯ Rates of survival to hospital discharge for out of hospital cardiac arrest in Christchurch compare favourably with published averages but are below rates considered the best achievable. Gains might be attained by improving rates of immediate call of emergency medical services and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and by reducing time to defibrillation.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Molecular analysis of the Huntington's disease gene in New Zealand.
To establish and validate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic test in New Zealand, which enables the number of CAG repeats present in the Huntington's disease (HD) gene to be determined with speed and accuracy. To develop procedures for reporting and counselling probands and families. ⋯ Our analysis of Huntington's disease alleles has shown a profile of CAG repeat lengths that is consistent with those reported internationally. In addition, reporting and counselling procedures have been established for presymptomatic testing of Huntington's disease in New Zealand.
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Congestive heart failure is believed to be a major public health problem in most Western countries; however, little is known about the extent of morbidity and mortality from congestive heart failure in New Zealand. This paper reports data on hospital admissions and mortality due to congestive heart failure in New Zealand during the years 1988-91. ⋯ Congestive heart failure is clearly a major public health problem in New Zealand with high hospitalisation and mortality rates. Several strategies have been proven to reduce mortality and hospital admissions for congestive heart failure and these should be utilised widely in patients at risk.