UNSW medical researchers are calling for restraint on the use of aggressive life-saving treatments for elderly patients, saying the focus should be placed on making them comfortable towards the end of their life. The study led by Adjunct Associate Professor ...
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Grant to help decrease caesarean rates
A Sydney-based researcher and lecturer at Notre Dame’s School of Medicine has been awarded a grant to examine the effectiveness of antenatal education in reducing the rate of caesareans. Australia has one of the highest rates of caesareans in the ...
More »Dysphagia: little condition leads to big problems
A swallowing impairment known as dysphagia is a little recognised medical problem with a significant cost on our health system. Researchers from Flinders University found that people in hospital who also have dysphagia need to stay there for longer periods. ...
More »How to avoid ‘trans broken arm syndrome’: nurse talks supporting gender diverse patients
Gender diverse people report experiencing barriers to quality and comprehensive health care, and show poorer health outcomes compared with the general public, across almost every area. Registered nurse, author and activist Yolanda Bogert will address some of these issue at ...
More »Safe as houses? Mitigating the risks for children living on a rural property
In the emergency department, the ‘bat phone’ is reserved for urgent referrals of incoming patients. One busy afternoon, the bat phone rang to advise that a four-year-old boy had fallen off a motorbike.* He'd ridden over a river bank and ...
More »Better dressings needed to curb PIVC failures
Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) failure is unacceptably common and change is urgently needed, an academic from the Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research has argued. Professor Claire Rickard, from the Griffith University’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland-based group, said optimal ...
More »Men in birthing suites: treated poorly or poorly behaved?
Male partners are not always included at all phases of the process. They are sometimes treated like a support person instead of a father-to-be. Often there is an assumption that men aren’t informed and therefore can’t be part of the ...
More »Nurses called on to bring ‘blind’ wounds to light
Nurses have been urged to stay up to date with wound care and prevention to help reduce the impact of chronic wounds. Wounds Australia is highlighting the central role that nurses play in the treatment of wounds as part of ...
More »Pet therapy bridges communication gaps in hospital
Dogs have taken on many roles in society, from security guard to family companion. In the health sector, they've been included in programs known as pet therapy to rehabilitate patients. Studies reveal the positive effects it has in a hospital ...
More »Back to basics: the psychology behind hand hygiene compliance
As children, our parents or guardians likely told us to wash our hands to get rid of germs – and these directives might still be playing a role in health professionals’ handwashing practices, an infection control expert has suggested. UNSW ...
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