Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Mar 2002
Evaluating Australia's National Medicines Policy using geographical mapping.
There has been a proliferation of quality use of medicines activities in Australia since the 1990s. However, knowledge of the nature and extent of these activities was lacking. A mechanism was required to map the activities to enable their coordination. ⋯ The mapping of projects by geographical location enabled easy identification of high and low activity areas. Analysis of the types of projects undertaken in each region enabled identification of target groups that had not been involved or services that had not yet been developed. This served as a powerful tool for policy planning and implementation and will be used to support the continued implementation of Australia's policy on the quality use of medicines.
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Internal medicine journal · Jan 2002
Comparative StudyCost comparison of at-home treatment of deep venous thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin to inpatient treatment with unfractionated heparin.
Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) permit safe and effective treatment of uncomplicated deep venous thrombosis (DVT) at home. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost minimization, cost shifting and patient satisfaction associated with at-home DVT treatment using the LMWH enoxaparin, compared to standard inpatient care in an Australian health-care setting. ⋯ At-home treatment of uncomplicated DVT using enoxaparin in an Australian metropolitan setting provides effective cost minimization, with little cost-shifting. Our cost minimisation estimates are conservative as most at-home subjects received enoxaparin twice daily (now used once per day) and controls had at least as high comorbidity. However, uptake of the at-home programme was limited.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2001
Bronchoscopic dilatation in the management of benign (non-transplant) tracheobronchial stenosis.
Tracheobronchial stenosis in the adult patient is a recognized postoperative complication of sleeve resection or lung transplantation, but also occurs in medical conditions such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, postintubation/tracheostomy or post-radiation. ⋯ Bronchoscopic dilatation is a safe and effective modality in the initial assessment and management of benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Stent placement and Nd:YAG laser therapy complement a dilatation procedure in the combined bronchoscopic treatment of benign tracheobronchial stenosis.