Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2025
Healthcare burden of public hospital gout admissions in New South Wales, Australia.
In New Zealand, the Māori and Pacific Islander population has a higher rate of hospital admissions for gout; however, we lack data for these population groups who reside in Australia. This study examined the pattern of hospital gout admissions in New South Wales (NSW), the most populous state of Australia, with a particular focus on the Māori and Pacific Islander population. ⋯ This study highlights the ethnic and geographical disparities in gout hospital admissions in NSW, with the Māori and Pacific Islander population of Western and South Western Sydney disproportionately affected. Culturally appropriate gout management strategies may be needed in the Māori and Pacific Islander population to address the large number of gout cases in western and southwestern Sydney.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2025
Antifungal stewardship in Australian hospitals: defining the scope and future targets.
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) guidelines now recommend antifungal stewardship (AFS) interventions to improve the management of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs). AFS programmes have not been reported in Australia. ⋯ AFS strategies utilised in Australian hospitals have focused on high-cost, intravenous agents. Although expert oversight of antifungals is evident, many sites omit potentially important targets for AFS, including fluconazole and oral posaconazole. Identifying these gaps and barriers to AFS will guide the development of an AFS model for hospitals.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2025
The importance of assessing and correcting hydration status prior to right heart catheterisation: a pilot study.
We evaluated whether fluid status could be accurately assessed (and corrected if necessary) prior to right heart catheterisation (RHC), to diagnose accurately post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in patients with left heart disease risk factors. A non-invasive measure of fluid status prior to RHC identified fluid-depleted patients. Baseline RHC measurements were performed, and a novel provocation technique (passive leg raise) was compared to a 'one-dose-fits-all' fluid challenge and found to be equivalent.