Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
Understanding the contribution of general medical services to acute inpatient care in Victorian public hospitals.
General medicine is an integral part of health services, yet there is little data highlighting their contribution to acute hospital care in Australia. ⋯ Both DRG-based data and discharge unit-based data indicate that general medicine is the largest provider of acute multiday inpatient care in Victorian hospitals. The estimate of contribution of general medicine differed between the two datasets as DRG data likely over-represents the role of other specialties possibly due to assumptions regarding specialty management of varying groups of diagnoses.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
The characteristics and perceptions to utilising Telehealth of predominantly middle-aged to older, metropolitan-based general medical patients.
Effective post-pandemic telehealth (TH) requires understanding patients' characteristics and perceptions, which have not been established in broader clinical services and are independent of TH appointments. ⋯ From predominantly middle-aged to older, metropolitan-based general medical patients completing the survey, most patienpreferred face-to-face appointments to TH. Health services should subsidise those in need of TH and target the patients' barriers to effective TH use.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
DKA/HHS insulin infusion protocol adherence and patient outcomes in Shellharbour Hospital.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) are medical emergencies requiring prompt assessment and management to avoid complications. ⋯ This audit highlights areas in DKA/HHS management requiring improvement. These include fluid and potassium replacement and appropriate overlap between subcutaneous insulin and insulin infusion.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
Observational StudyLifestyle changes and quality of life a year after attending Rapid Access Cardiology Clinics: an observational study.
We examined behavioural risk factors and quality of life (QoL) in women and men, younger and older adults 12 months after a Rapid Access Cardiology Clinic (RACC) visit. Routine clinical care data were collected in person from three Sydney hospitals between 2017 and 2018 and followed up by questionnaire at 365 days. 1491 completed the baseline survey, at 1 year, 1092 provided follow-up data on lifestyle changes, and 811 completed the EQ-5D-5L (QoL) survey. 666 (44.7%) were women, and 416 (27.9%) were older than 60 years of age. Almost 50% of participants reported improving physical activity and diet a year after their RACC visit. These changes were less likely in women and older participants.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2023
Creatinine Index: A retrospective cohort study in an urban Australian dialysis context.
This study aimed to described the relationship between the CI and mortality in an Australian context. ⋯ In a single-centre Australian haemodialysis cohort, the CI was strongly associated with mortality and stroke risk. The CI is an accurate and simple method to identify patients with low LBM at risk for significant morbidity and mortality.