Internal medicine journal
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To determine the characteristics of anaemic patients, how well anaemia is investigated and its contributing factors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). ⋯ Anaemia in patients with CHF is common but not well investigated. The aetiology of anaemia is usually multifactorial and not easily predicted. Patients with anaemia and CHF have poorer outcomes. There needs to be more awareness among clinicians about the importance of investigating and treating anaemia in patients with CHF.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2013
Multicenter StudyReducing the length of stay for acute hospital patients needing admission into inpatient rehabilitation: a multicentre study of process barriers.
Patient flow is a major problem in hospitals. Delays in accessing inpatient rehabilitation have not been well studied. ⋯ There are opportunities to improve the efficiency of key processes in the acute hospital journey for patients subsequently admitted to inpatient rehabilitation; in particular, reducing the time from acute hospital admission till referral for rehabilitation and from being deemed ready for transfer to rehabilitation till admission.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2013
Observational StudySerious statin-associated myotoxicity and rhabdomyolysis in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders: a case series.
Statins are associated with skeletal muscle adverse effects. These are generally considered mild and reversible, with more severe toxicity occurring rarely. There is little known regarding statin myotoxicity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who are at high cardiovascular risk and likely to receive statins. ⋯ SSAM has occurred in the Indigenous Australian population with some fatalities. Awareness of the potential for SSAM is essential for early recognition and effective management to reduce probability of avoidable catastrophic harm. Safe, as well as effective use of medication, is essential for optimum health outcomes. Effective pharmacovigilance and therapeutic risk management are important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2013
Causes of hospitalisation before and after the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake.
On 6 April 2009, an earthquake struck L'Aquila. The San Salvatore Hospital was evacuated, and a field hospital was built. The study aimed to assess the epidemiologic impact of the earthquake through the analysis of patient population admitted to the field hospital during a 2-month period following the disaster. ⋯ The number of hospitalised patients decreased with the tremor, while those discharged transferred to other hospitals and those who rejected hospitalisation increased. A natural disaster completely changes causes of hospitalisation in the Divisions of Internal and Emergency Medicine. These findings can be useful for the design of specific intervention programmes and for softening the detrimental effects of quakes.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyWhen do we transfuse cryoprecipitate?
The 2001 National Health and Medical Research Council/Australasian Society of Blood Transfusion Clinical Practice Guidelines for cryoprecipitate are being updated, and cryoprecipitate has been incorporated into new Patient Blood Management modules. ⋯ These results highlight discrepancies between guidelines and practice, providing rationale for the update of the guidelines that is currently underway. Cryoprecipitate has attendant risks, and it is appropriate that transfusion be restricted to situations with good evidence or sound principles to underpin use.