The New Zealand medical journal
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To assess the utility of a decision rule for determining short-term risk in syncope patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of Nelson Hospital (Nelson, New Zealand). ⋯ Syncope patients who present to the ED with no obvious cause and who are being considered for discharge may benefit from application of the SFSR for short-term risk assessment.
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After a spate of recent New Zealand cyclist deaths, cycle advocates and several policy makers have been pondering the issue of increased penalties aimed at drivers deemed at fault. A key question is whether vulnerable road users (VRUs), including pedestrians, workers, animal riders, stranded motorists, skateboarders, cyclists, and others, are likely to be protected through enhanced penalties for at fault drivers of motor vehicles. We explored current policy and the international literature to examine whether or not enhanced penalties would be likely to increase motor vehicle driver motivation to exercise greater caution around VRUs leading to improved road safety.
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To assess the attitudes of clinicians to temperature management in haematology patients with febrile neutropenia. ⋯ This survey documents clinicians' preferred temperature intervention thresholds and methods for haematology patients with neutropenic fever, and shows considerable variation in practice. Most respondents supported a trial of antipyretic management in febrile neutropenia.
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An audit of rheumatic fever surveillance in Northland was carried out for the period 2002-2011. The aim of the audit was to establish the accuracy and completeness of surveillance of Acute Rheumatic Fever in Northland, and to provide a robust baseline for future comparison given current rheumatic fever prevention efforts. ⋯ Acute rheumatic fever rates in Northland Maori children aged 5-14 (78/100000) are similar to those seen in developing countries and nearly double the rates seen other New Zealand audits. The findings highlight the urgent need to address crowding, poverty and inequitable primary care access if rheumatic fever is to be eliminated.