Health Professionals Can Make NDIS A Success

[hr]The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of the biggest economic and social reforms this country has seen, says NDIS chairman Bruce Bonyhady. He knows the vital role health professionals play in this landmark reform and believes your help will ensure its success.[hr]

World Heart Federation : World Heart Federation’s World Congress of Cardiology 2014

QUT : Early warning - Internet surveillance predicts disease outbreak

In a new study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, internet-based surveillance has been found to detect infectious diseases such Dengue Fever and Influenza up to two weeks earlier than traditional surveillance methods.

Smith & Nephew : Preventing and managing pressure injuries

Pressure injuries are changes in the skin seen in people who are generally immobile (e.g. after CVA or spinal injury) or are unable to mobilise themselves in a normal manner (e.g. following surgery). Usually, when someone is sitting or lying in the same position for too long, pressure is relieved by changing position, or perhaps even getting up and going for walk. This takes away the discomfort, and also ensures that the blood supply to that part of the skin is returned to normal.

Telehealth : Telehealth education and support for nurses and midwives

In 2012-13, the Federal Government funded a major education and support initiative to develop the capability of nurses and midwives in Australia to deliver care using telehealth.

AMCLA Medical : Sorbact® - Physical attraction

Acute wounds

Aboriginal Doctors Creating Blueprint for Indigenous Healthcare Across Australia

A new general practice centre operated by four Aboriginal doctors on Palm Island is streamlining healthcare in the region and creating a blueprint for Indigenous healthcare across Australia. The move heralds a new dawn in healthcare in the remote corner of Australia, a fantastic milestone for the community.

Chronic Pain Research Provides New Insight Into Brain Response

University of Adelaide researchers say new insights into how the human brain responds to chronic pain could eventually lead to improved treatments for patients.

The Australian Mental Health System Needs a Rethink - New Report Released

A new report released today, Crossroads - Rethinking the Australian Mental Health System, shows an additional cost to the taxpayer of $9b if the structure and emphasis of the current system is maintained.

Aged Care Approvals Round Expands Home Care Packages Program

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has welcomed the announcement by the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, that the 2014 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) will expand the Home Care Packages program.

TGA Project Facilitates Health Professionals Reporting Adverse Events

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is inviting medical software vendors to participate in a pilot project to facilitate reporting  adverse events by health professionals. The project is to develop a TGA web service to assist software vendors who wish include access to reporting adverse events for health professionals in medical software. Following this pilot project, which is expected to run until April 2014, a TGA web service will be available to software vendors at no cost. Any company providing software to health professionals - such as general practitioners, hospital and community pharmacists, specialists and nurses - who submit reports of adverse events to medicines is welcome to participate. The web service will be compatible with both mobile and desktop devices. Involvement in the pilot will require vendors to develop a reporting interface within their own software program and to test transmission of reports using the web service from their software to the TGA in XML format. Reports of adverse events from health professionals are essential to the TGA’s safety monitoring activities. Feedback to the TGA indicates that the time required to report is a significant barrier to reporting by health professionals.  Providing an adverse event reporting mechanism in medical software, particularly one that allows reports to be automatically populated from clinical record data, has been suggested as a way of reducing the time required to find, complete and send reporting forms. Development of the adverse event report web service is one of a number of projects that the TGA is currently undertaking to encourage adverse event reporting by health professionals and consumers by:

Researchers Identify Steps to Prevent Liver Failure Caused by Paracetamol

University of Adelaide researchers have identified a key step for the future prevention of liver failure resulting from taking too much of the everyday painkiller paracetamol.

Possible Risks Associated with Medical Staff Using Mobile Digital Technologies

Possible risks associated with medical staff using mobile digital technologies for professional purposes have been raised in a leading study at Monash University.

New Guidelines for Prescribing and Treating Acne Patients Now Available

A University of Queensland researcher has developed new guidelines for psychiatrists and dermatologists prescribing and treating acne with a drug linked with suicide and depression.

Professor Peter Shergold to Chair Aged Care Sector Committee

Professor Peter Shergold AC will chair the Aged Care Sector Committee, tasked with building the foundation for a constructive and lasting partnership between the Australian Government and the aged care sector.