Internal medicine journal
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In 1993, the Internal Medicine Journal published 'Chemotherapy made easier', outlining developments in supportive care of patients undergoing chemotherapy. This described the contemporary state of anti-emetics, colony stimulating factors, cardiac toxicity, neurotoxicity, development of drug analogues and venous access devices. ⋯ This state of the art update summarises advances in supportive care therapies relating to improving the patient experience during and after anti-cancer treatment, including new anti-emetics, hair preservation techniques, bone marrow support and improved venous access devices; the ongoing challenge of neurotoxicity; and the advent of multidisciplinary sub-specialised fields such as cardio-oncology and oncofertility. Supportive care medications for immuno-oncology therapies is a new section; these highly effective (although not universally so) agents were a mere illusion in 1993.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2021
Factors that predict glycaemic response to sodium-glucose linked transporter (SGLT) inhibitors.
To determine the clinical and biochemical variables associated with change in HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes who start sodium-glucose linked transporter (SGLT) inhibitor therapy. ⋯ SGLT inhibitor therapy in a hospital clinic setting was associated with clinical improvements comparable to those observed in clinical trials but with higher incidence of genitourinary side-effects. Baseline HbA1c and eGFR, but not urine fractional glucose excretion, predicted glycaemic response.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2021
Cost-analysis of opportunistic influenza vaccination in general medical inpatients.
Influenza vaccination is an important preventative health measure in the elderly and those with medical comorbidities. It has been shown to reduce hospitalisations, cardiovascular and respiratory complications. A significant proportion of patients admitted to general medicine are eligible for opportunistic inpatient influenza vaccination. This study explores the cost-effectiveness of such a strategy in reducing subsequent healthcare utilisation costs.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2021
'Code-95' rapid response calls for patients under airborne precautions in the COVID-19-era: a cross-sectional survey of healthcare worker perceptions.
To allow better allocation of staff and resources, rapid response teams attending to acutely deteriorating or aggressive patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection were pre-warned with the announcement of 'Code-95' with calls. ⋯ Most surveyed HCW supported Code-95 announcements pre-warning them of potential COVID-19 exposure when attending a RRC. However, the majority of HCW reported anxiety when attending these calls. Medical and efferent team HCW perceived greater anxiety compared to nursing and afferent team HCW. The Code-95 system to pre-warn rapid response teams may be a useful addition to protecting HCW from infectious diseases, although broader implementation will require greater resourcing, training and support.