Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · May 2023
Sentinel cluster of locally acquired Japanese encephalitis in southern Australia.
Prior to January 2022, only a single case of infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) had been reported on the Australian mainland, acquired in the northern extremity on Cape York. We report the clinical characteristics of the sentinel cluster of cases that confirmed the local acquisition of JEV in southern Australia along the Murray River bordering New South Wales and Victoria.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2023
Review'Neurosyphilis in the Northern Territory of Australia: a clinical guideline'.
The Northern Territory (NT) of Australia is currently experiencing a syphilis epidemic. Neurosyphilis is commonly considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with neurologic conditions such as dementia and stroke in the NT. ⋯ A clinical guideline and algorithm have been developed for the diagnosis and management of patients with neurosyphilis.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2023
Non-beneficial resuscitation during in-hospital cardiac arrests in a metropolitan teaching hospital.
There is increasing recognition that a proportion of hospitalised patients receive non-beneficial resuscitation, with the potential to cause harm. ⋯ Over one in seven resuscitation attempts were non-beneficial. MET reviews and specialist ward rounds provide opportunities to improve the documentation and visibility of NFR status.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2023
Audit of clinical follow-up and complications after acute pulmonary embolism in an Australian Metropolitan Health Service.
We explored post-pulmonary embolism (post-PE) follow-up at a large Australian regional city hospital health service. Over a 12-month period, we identified 195 (49% male) patients with a median age of 62 years. ⋯ Follow-up imaging was arranged in 28% of patients. To deliver high-quality care, we recommend implementing a local post-PE follow-up pathway, which balances individual physician preference with available resources and expert recommendations.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2023
ReviewMissed opportunities: saving lives through organ donation following voluntary assisted dying.
Organ donation after voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Australia may potentially increase organ transplant rates. Despite significant international experience with donation after VAD, there has been little discussion of this in Australia. We review potential ethical and practical concerns relating to donation after VAD and advocate action to establish programmes in Australia that ensure safe, ethical and effective donation after VAD.