Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2024
Nocardia species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility within Australia.
Nocardia is a ubiquitous saprophyte capable of causing human disease. Disease is primarily respiratory or cutaneous, usually acquired via inhalation or inoculation. Under the influence of environmental and host factors, Nocardia incidence and species distribution demonstrate geographical variation. ⋯ We demonstrate geographical variation in the distribution of Nocardia incidence. Four species predominate in the Australian setting, and nationwide data confirm a high in vitro susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and linezolid, justifying their ongoing role as part of first-line empiric therapy.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2024
Queensland Inpatient Diabetes Survey (QuIDS): patient experience survey evaluation.
Measurement of inpatient experience can allow for treatment tailored to patient preferences and needs. The patient experience of diabetes care has not been explored in Queensland hospitals. ⋯ Many patients reported positive inpatient experiences; however, patients also expressed dissatisfaction with their inpatient diabetes care. Our data provide unique insight and an opportunity to improve standards of care and service provision for inpatients with diabetes.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2024
Utilising organs from hepatitis C virus PCR-positive donors in Western Australia.
We transplanted six solid organs from three hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive donors during 2018-2023. Recipients were treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for 4-12 weeks, with all six achieving sustained virological response without significant adverse events. As occurs in other jurisdictions, solid organ transplants from HCR PCR-positive donors can be safely utilised in Australia.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2024
Serum vitamin B12, distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and anaemia in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase 2.
There are limited data relating to the effects of metformin-associated vitamin B12 deficiency on the risk of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) and megaloblastic anaemia in well-characterised community-based cohorts. ⋯ Since nutritional sources likely attenuate metformin-associated vitamin B12 malabsorption and its clinical sequelae in developed countries such as Australia, there is no need for routine/opportunistic serum vitamin B12 screening in metformin-treated patients.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2024
Observational StudyEvaluation of a virtual ward model of care and readmission characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic within an Australian tertiary hospital.
Virtual ward (VW) models of care established during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided safe and equitable provision of ambulatory care for low-risk patients; however, little is known about patients who require escalation of care to hospitals from VWs. ⋯ This VW model of care was both safe and effective when applied to a broad socioeconomic population during the COVID-19 pandemic. While readmission to the hospital was low, this study identified key characteristics of such presentations, which may assist future triaging, escalation and resource allocation within VWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.