The National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) is a culture change program to reduce the rate healthcare associated infections in Australia. [ + ]

The addition of PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab to standard first-line chemotherapy for treatment-naïve advanced non-small-cell lung cancer significantly improves response rates and progression-free survival, researchers reported at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen. [ + ]

New research has taken us a step closer to finding a cure for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as other infections including the glandular fever virus, which is associated with the development of lymphoma. Some infections, such as HIV, cannot be cured with antiviral therapy because the virus effectively hides from the immune system. [ + ]

In the lead up to the Institute of Hospitality in HealthCare conference, 17-19 October, John Kirwan reflects on almost 40 years’ experience in the healthcare industry. He urges us to look closely at the potential of working with the broader health community and organisations outside health to ensure food security and address the rise in co-morbidity. [ + ]

Surgical heart reconstructions using graft materials can do amazing things for patients, but in young children they have a serious limitation. The grafts don’t grow along with a growing heart, and so for procedures such as right ventricular outflow tract reconstructions repeat surgeries are required. Now researchers at University of Minnesota are reporting in journal Nature Communications on newly developed “off-the-shelf” vascular grafts that can grow as the tissue they’re connecting develops and matures. [ + ]

A lightbulb moment after a show on a cruise ship four years ago was a career turning point for comedian Mark McConville. [ + ]

Amyl nitrite is the most well known of a group of chemicals called alkyl nitrites, usually referred to as poppers. Product names include rush, TNT, thrust, jungle juice, ram and kix, according to Julaine Allan, from Charles Sturt University. [ + ]

The warning from a new Australian alliance of breast cancer researchers is that almost 8% of women have extremely high breast density, which can make it harder for health professionals to detect breast cancer on a screening mammogram. These women are also more likely to develop breast cancer in the future. [ + ]

In May 2016, Catholic Healthcare commenced construction of a $120 million development project at McQuoin Park in Waitara, New South Wales. [ + ]

Barcodes are already widely used across the medical sector, particularly in warehouses and central pharmacies, though they’ve also made some inroads into clinical environments too – patient wristbands, bio-samples, test tubes and order sheets, just to name a few. [ + ]

20 – 23 November 2016, Melbourne Victoria. [ + ]

 LASA National Congress 2016  Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, 9 – 12 October [ + ]

Sue Dunlevy. First TripAdvisor, then Uber now there’s an online website to help you find the cheapest, best doctor. 28 July 2016. [ + ]

Noise levels in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can go well above recommended levels, disturbing both patients and the medical teams that care for the, according to a study presented at Euroanaesthesia 2016. The study is by Dr Eveline Claes, Jessa Ziekenhuis Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium and colleagues. [ + ]

New research at the University of Adelaide has shed light on how many doctors are attending the funerals of their patients and the reasons behind their choice. The researchers say more needs to be done within the medical profession to openly discuss the issue. [ + ]