Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2022
Rate of early hospital readmission amongst cirrhotic patients is high in Australia: experience from a single liver transplant centre.
The 30-day hospital readmission rate in cirrhotic patients has been demonstrated to be up to 40% in international studies, but is not well studied in Australia. The aim of the current study was to report on the rate and cause of 30-day hospital readmission from a single liver transplant referral centre, including a cost analysis of readmissions. ⋯ The 30-day hospital readmission rate of 46% is higher than previously reported and almost half of cases were caused by either fluid overload or infection.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2022
Smoking cessation program in hospitalized patients due to acute respiratory disease.
Hospital environment is generally propitious to smoking cessation for several reasons, such as a legal ban on smoking in hospital facilities, greater vulnerability facing acute illness and the continuous contact with healthcare professionals. ⋯ Smoking cessation counselling behaviour programmes during hospitalisation, with regular follow up after hospital discharge, contribute to an increase in smoking cessation rate.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2022
National Audit of a Hereditary and Acquired Angioedema Cohort in New Zealand.
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) leads to significant morbidity and mortality from unpredictable intermittent peripheral, abdominal and laryngeal swelling. Access to appropriate healthcare and effective therapies, which can prevent and treat attacks, reduce the suffering and greatly improve quality of life. Although treatments such as C1 inhibitor (Berinert), and Icatibant are available in New Zealand (Aotearoa), there are no published data available on their use. ⋯ Corrective actions arising from this audit will improve our capacity to provide long-term care for HAE patients and their families.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2022
Safety, satisfaction, and cost savings of accelerated infusions of standard and intensified-dose infliximab for inflammatory bowel disease.
Infliximab remains a mainstay for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but a long infusion duration and subsequent monitoring can be burdensome to patients and healthcare providers. ⋯ Accelerated infliximab infusions for standard and dose-intensified regimens seem to be safe and improved patient satisfaction. Potential impact on drug trough levels requires further investigations.