3 new operating theatres to slash wait times

Tasmania's State Government has announced the opening of three new operating theatres in the state this week as part of their plan to rebuild Tasmania’s health system. With serious questions being raised about the allocation of dollars earmarked for Tasmanian health, this will be only a drop in the ocean but it is a step in the right direction.

Revisions to National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards

The National Safety and Quality in Health Services Standards were introduced in 2011 by The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission), under the National Health Reform Act.

Chronic Insomnia Treatment with Half-And-Half Placebo Replacement

The science of sleep medicine has long proved difficult in the treatment of chronic insomnia, with researchers still not convinced of the effectiveness of sleeping pills currently on the market. However, researchers at Penn University in the US have found that a half-and-half mixture of sleeping pills and placebo tablets might be just as effective as a nightly schedule of sleep medication for treating chronic insomnia.

Detention Centre Medical Workers to be Jailed for Speaking Out

Today The Guardian Australia published a piece reporting on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s new legislation and the gag order it, in effect, places on the terrible conditions medical staff are witness to in Australia’s detention centres. This legislation is the Border Force Act and comes into effect from tomorrow 1 July.

$100 Million For Global Health Information Infrastructure

Medication Error Reporting Doesn't Indicate Patient Safety

Hospitals' incident data may have significant shortcomings, especially as a basis for monitoring safety over time and between sites, a comparative study at two Australian hospitals has found.

Revised Immunisation Guidelines Released by PSA

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has released it's revised Practice guidelines for the provision of immunisation services within pharmacy to assist pharmacists in providing vaccinations to increase immunisation rates in the community.

Fifth National Report of ANZASM Released

The Fifth National Report of the Australian and New Zealand Audits of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM) has been released by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).

Tributes flow for Gough Whitlam

The announcement of Mr Whitlam's death was made by his family in a statement. Antony, Nicholas and Stephen Whitlam and Catherine Dovey – said he was “a loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians.”

Standard 3: Preventing and controlling ?healthcare associated infections

At least half of healthcare associated infections are thought to be preventable. Data from Australia and overseas show that the rate of healthcare associated infections is reduced when specific interventions are put in place and maintained. These interventions also reduce the risk of developing resistant infectious agents and control the spread of healthcare associated infections to other people, such as patients and healthcare professionals.

Preventing falls in high risk groups - An evidence update

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria on the Rise Across Australia

A national study led by University of Adelaide researchers has confirmed that antibiotic resistant strains of disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, are steadily on the rise in Australia.

Pharmacists Welcome Extension of Qld Immunisation Trial

The success of the pharmacist-delivered flu immunisation trial in Queensland has led to the Queensland Government extending the pilot to cover other vaccinations including measles and whooping cough for adults.

Royal College of Pathologists Opposes In-store Health Checks

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has joined the AMA and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in opposing the trial of in-store health checks being made available at select Woolworths' stores across NSW and QLD.

Sustainable perioperative practices - Reducing, reusing or recycling

Dr Pat Nicholson PhD, RN, RM, has been involved in perioperative nursing for more than 30 years. Dr Nicholson discusses the evidence behind reducing, reusing or recycling in the perioperative setting.