Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Apr 2023
Carbon emissions and hospital pathology stewardship: a retrospective cohort analysis.
As healthcare is responsible for 7% of Australia's carbon emissions, it was recognised that a policy implemented at St George Hospital, Sydney, to reduce non-urgent pathology testing to 2 days per week and, on other days only if essential, would also result in a reduction in carbon emissions. The aim of the study was to measure the impact of this intervention on pathology collections and associated carbon emissions and pathology costs. ⋯ Reduction in unnecessary hospital pathology collections was associated with both carbon emission and cost savings. Pathology stewardship warrants further study as a potentially scalable, cost-effective and incentivising pathway to lowering healthcare associated greenhouse gas emissions.
-
Internal medicine journal · Apr 2023
Influence of radiologic pattern and the presence of diffuse parenchymal lung disease on outcome in ventilated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: impact on prognosis.
Suspected organising pneumonia (OP) is a common finding in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the impact on outcomes of the radiological patterns of diffuse parenchymal lung disease on outcome of these patients is still uncertain. ⋯ OP radiologic pattern in patients with severe COVID-19 is not associated with worse outcomes.
-
Internal medicine journal · Apr 2023
Variations in clinical presentation and biomarkers amongst biopsy-proven Lupus Nephritis patients: a Top-End retrospective cohort study.
Lupus nephritis (LN) is a common feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and affects 50% of patients with SLE. Racial differences in incidence and prevalence have been well documented worldwide. In Australia, higher incidence and prevalence of SLE had been previously reported in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Australians compared with non-Indigenous Australians. ⋯ The present study further supports the observation that lupus in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were of a 'distinct phenotype' compared with non-Indigenous Australians. Future research should be aimed at delineating the reason for this observed difference.
-
Several surgical and percutaneous treatments are available for patients with aortic valve disease. ⋯ Rates of AVR have increased significantly over the past 16 years, particularly in the elderly. Despite international guideline recommendations, fewer mechanical AVR are being used in younger cohorts. The uptake in TAVI rates might reflect evidence that suggests it is a safe alternative, at least in the medium term. BAV has also seen a resurgence during this time period.
-
Internal medicine journal · Apr 2023
Preventability of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalised Patients.
Hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Approximately one out of 10 hospital-acquired VTE are preventable. Hospitals should focus on measuring and reporting VTE that are preventable to provide a more accurate measure of the burden of VTE that can be reduced by improving care.