Perth Hospital Research Articles

Audit of anesthetic trainees' 'hands-on' operating room experience in an Australian tertiary children's hospital.

There are no internationally accepted guidelines about what constitutes adequate clinical exposure during pediatric anesthetic training. In Australia, no data have been published on the level of experience obtained by anesthetic trainees in pediatric anesthesia. There is, however, a new ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists) curriculum that quantifies new training requirements. To quantify our trainees' exposure to clinical work in order to assess compliance with new curriculum and to provide other institutions with a benchmark for pediatric anesthetic training. We performed a prospective audit to estimate and quantify our anesthetic registrars' exposure to pediatric anesthesia during their 6-month rotation at our institution, a tertiary pediatric hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Our data suggest that trainees at our institution will achieve the new ANZCA training standards comfortably, in terms of the required volume and breadth of exposure. Experience, however, of some advanced pediatric anesthetic procedures appears limited. Experience gained at our hospital easily meets the new College requirements. Experience of fiber-optic intubation and regional blocks would appear insufficient to develop sufficient skills or confidence. The study provides other institutions with information to benchmark against their own trainee experience.

A qualitative study exploring health perceptions and factors influencing participation in health behaviors in colorectal cancer survivors.

The purpose of the study was to explore colorectal cancer survivors' health perceptions following cessation of active treatment for cancer and to explore the factors influencing participation in health-promoting behaviors that may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants that had completed active treatment for cancer within the previous 2years. Participants were colorectal cancer survivors (N = 24, men = 11, women = 13, M age = 69.38years, SD = 4.19) recruited from a private hospital in Perth, Australia on the basis that they had existing morbidities that put them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five main themes emerged: back to normal; the pleasures in life: 'is it worth it?'; beliefs about health behavior; skepticism of eating guidelines; and lack of motivation. The majority of participants felt they were in good health and had made a full recovery. Participants questioned whether it was worth changing their lifestyle given their life stage and referred to the desire to enjoy life. Lay health beliefs, skepticism of eating guidelines, and a lack of motivation were barriers to change. Interventions should target lay beliefs and skepticism in relation to health behaviors in order to reinforce the importance and value of participating in health-related behavior. Findings may inform the development of effective, patient-centered interventions that target lay health beliefs and build motivation for health behavior change. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Use of serum lactate levels to predict survival for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A cohort study.

We examined the association of serum lactate levels and early lactate clearance with survival to hospital discharge for patients suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). A retrospective cohort analysis was performed of patients with OHCA transported by ambulance to two adult tertiary hospitals in Perth, Western Australia. Exclusion criteria were traumatic cardiac arrest, return of spontaneous circulation prior to the arrival of the ambulance, age less than 18 years and no serum lactate levels recorded. Serum lactate levels recorded for up to 48 h post-arrest were obtained from the hospital clinical information system, and lactate clearance over 48 h was calculated. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted. There were 518 patients with lactate values, of whom 126 (24.3%) survived to hospital discharge. Survivors and non-survivors had different mean initial lactate levels (mean ± SD 6.9 ± 4.7 and 12.2 ± 5.5 mmol/L, respectively; P < 0.001). Lactate clearance was higher in survivors. Lactate levels for non-survivors did not decrease below 2 mmol/L until at least 30 h after the ambulance call. In OHCA patients who had serum lactate levels measured, both lower initial serum lactate and early lactate clearance in the first 48 h following OHCA were associated with increased likelihood of survival. However, the use of lactate in isolation as a predictor of survival or neurological outcome is not recommended. Prospective studies that minimise selection bias are required to determine the clinical utility of serum lactate levels in OHCA patients.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Efficacy Study of Nefiracetam to Treat Poststroke Apathy

To evaluate the efficacy of treatment with nefiracetam compared to placebo in poststroke apathy. A parallel group, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind two-center trial in patients with recent stroke and apathy was conducted in 2 tertiary teaching hospitals in Perth, Western Australia, between March 2010 and October 2014. Consenting patients hospitalized with stroke were screened for participation at the time of hospitalization and, if diagnosed with apathy 8-36 weeks later, they were randomized to 12 weeks of 900 mg/day nefiracetam or placebo. The primary efficacy parameter was change in apathy at 12 weeks defined by the 14-item Apathy Scale (AS). Of 2514 patients screened, only 377 (15%) were eligible for the study after the first screening, 233 declined further participation, and 144 were assessed for apathy at 8-36 weeks post stroke to confirm eligibility. Twenty patients out of 106 with a complete psychiatric assessment had apathy (19%). Of this sample, 13 patients were randomized. Overall, the AS score decreased by a mean of 7.0 points (95% CI = -14.6 to .6), but there was no significant between-group difference at week 12 (mean paired t-tests, P > .14). Treatment with nefiracetam did not prove to be more efficacious than placebo in ameliorating apathy in stroke. The main limitation was the very small sample randomized, highlighting the limitations of conducting drug trials for behavioral problems among stroke patients. Pharmacological studies of apathy in stroke will require a large multicenter study and a massive sample of patients.

Paediatric neurological melioidosis: a rehabilitation case report

Melioidosis is a rare condition, endemic to northern Australia and south-east Asia, caused by an infection from the bacteria <i>Burkholderia pseudomallei</i>. The largest epidemiological review to date describes 540 cases of melioidosis seen at Darwin Hospital, in northern Australia, over a 20-year period. Of these, 14 (less than 3%) presented with neurological manifestation, with three deaths. Reports of paediatric cases of melioidosis are rarer. In a review of paediatric cases in northern Australia only eight cases were identified in 10 years. Three of these patients presented with neurological melioidosis, of whom two died in hospital. Whilst the literature refers to prolonged periods of hospitalisation for survivors, the trajectory of functional recovery and process of rehabilitation has not been described. This is a case report describing a 14-year-old boy who presented to a remote medical post with acute neurological symptoms (vomiting, severe headache, ataxia, cranial nerve VI and VII palsy) and was referred to the tertiary paediatric hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed an extensive infiltrative lesion in the posterior fossa and hydrocephalus. Diagnosis of neurological melioidosis required isolation of the pathogen by brain biopsy through sub-occipital craniotomy. Medical treatment included surgical management of hydrocephalus, parenteral antibiotic treatment with meropenem and then a prolonged course of oral co-trimoxazole, enteral feeding and tonal management with levodopa-carbidopa and botulinum toxin A injections. Associated neurological signs and symptoms (bradykinesia, tremor, dysphagia, aphasia, hypertonia, exotropia) required intensive rehabilitation to address functional deficits and to promote independence. The purpose of this case report is to document the functional recovery and rehabilitation process of a paediatric case of neurological melioidosis. Knowledge of the recovery pathway is important to add to the understanding of natural history and treatment of this rare disease. Occasions of service and functional assessments were recorded prospectively. Inpatient therapy (932 hours, with 934 occasions of service) was delivered across physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology over 9 months of an inpatient admission. Initial paediatric functional independence measure (WeeFIM) was 18/126, indicating complete dependence in all physical and cognitive domains. Following 9 months of intensive rehabilitation the WeeFIM was 53/126, indicating significant residual disability. This proved to be a challenge for discharge planning back to a remote region of Western Australia. Paediatric neurological melioidosis can lead to significant disability and long-term dependence, despite the provision of lengthy intensive rehabilitation. This case report highlights the challenges and complexity of the rehabilitation services required to optimise outcomes for this patient and achieve a safe discharge to a remote community where limited support services are available.

A review and comparison of two commercial molecular methods for detection of respiratory viruses in a new tertiary hospital in Perth

Aim: To evaluate the test performance and clinical utility of the GeneXpert flu/RSV XC (GX) and Filmarray Respiratory panel (FRP) for the rapid detection of respiratory viruses.Methods: Between June and October 2015, samples were tested for influenza A, influenza B and RSV at PathWest FSH using GX, FRP and our routine method (RM), an in-house real-time multiplex PCR performed at Pathwest QEII laboratory. Sensitivity and specificity for the GX and FRP was compared to RM. In addition mean test turnaround time (MTT) was determined for GX and RM.Results: GX tested samples (n=54) demonstrated a 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity with a MTT of 3.66 h [interquartile range (IQR)=2.42–10.02 h) compared to 66.21 h (IQR=47.83–93.96 h) (p≤0.001) for RM. FRP (n=34) demonstrated a 92.86% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to RM. MTT was not assessed for FRP. RM and FRP were able to detect additional respiratory pathogens.Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of both commercial methods were similar. The MTT for GX was significantly shorter than RM. FRP and RM have the advantage of detecting a broader range of pathogens than the GX. Cost effectiveness should be assessed and these tests may provide improved outcome for patients in our hospital. Aim: To evaluate the test performance and clinical utility of the GeneXpert flu/RSV XC (GX) and Filmarray Respiratory panel (FRP) for the rapid detection of respiratory viruses. Methods: Between June and October 2015, samples were tested for influenza A, influenza B and RSV at PathWest FSH using GX, FRP and our routine method (RM), an in-house real-time multiplex PCR performed at Pathwest QEII laboratory. Sensitivity and specificity for the GX and FRP was compared to RM. In addition mean test turnaround time (MTT) was determined for GX and RM. Results: GX tested samples (n=54) demonstrated a 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity with a MTT of 3.66 h [interquartile range (IQR)=2.42–10.02 h) compared to 66.21 h (IQR=47.83–93.96 h) (p≤0.001) for RM. FRP (n=34) demonstrated a 92.86% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to RM. MTT was not assessed for FRP. RM and FRP were able to detect additional respiratory pathogens. Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of both commercial methods were similar. The MTT for GX was significantly shorter than RM. FRP and RM have the advantage of detecting a broader range of pathogens than the GX. Cost effectiveness should be assessed and these tests may provide improved outcome for patients in our hospital.

Increasing the impact of teleophthalmology in Australia: Analysis of structural and economic drivers in a state service.

Despite its potential to improve service provision for country patients, teleophthalmology is currently underused in Australia. There is an associated lack of cost-effectiveness data for teleophthamology. Retrospective and prospective hospital-based clinical audits of 5456 patients; descriptive survey of available telehealth equipment in 129 regional facilities; cost calculations for teleophthalmology, patient transfers and outreach services. Primary (optometry, general practice [GP], Aboriginal Medical Service [AMS]) and secondary (hospital) sites in regional Western Australia; a tertiary hospital in Perth. Proportion of patients suitable for teleophthalmology; proportion of regional practices with telehealth technology; capital expenditure to equip regional practices for teleophthalmology; total savings from increased utilisation of teleophthalmology. Advocacy for funding, regulatory, training and infrastructure recommendations, in order to support efficient models of teleophthalmology. A total of 15% and 24% of urgent patient transfers and outreach consultations, respectively, were found to be suitable for teleophthalmology, equating to a potential total cost saving of $1.1 million/year. Capital expenditure required for basic telehealth equipment was negligible for optometrists, compared to $20 500 per GP/AMS practice. Successful advocacy led to funding, training and policy changes to support optometry-led teleophthalmology for country patients in Australia. Public-private partnerships can result in significant cost-savings for the Australian health system. Targeted, evidence-based advocacy can inform government health reforms.

Morcellation of occult uterine malignancies: an Australian single institution retrospective study.

Morcellation for tissue extraction during laparoscopic hysterectomy or myomectomy has recently been questioned because of the potential to spread occult uterine cancers. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a safety advisory in August 2014, estimating the risk of occult malignancy in the Australian population to be one in 1000 or lower, based on estimates from overseas studies in the absence of any local data. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of occult uterine malignancies in morcellated surgical specimens at St John of God Hospital in Perth, Western Australia. All women who had a hysterectomy or myomectomy with morcellation of the surgical specimen for presumed benign uterine fibroids at our institution from 01 November 2009 to 12 March 2015 were identified and stratified into benign disease, uncertain malignant potential and malignant. Seven hundred and thirty-four women were included, and three malignancies were identified: two cases with leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and another with an endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma (EAC). One case of serous tubal insitu carcinoma (STIC) and two cases of benign metastasising leiomyoma/leiomyomatosis were also identified. The overall risk of malignancy in a morcellated surgical specimen was 0.41% (three in 734). The risk of morcellating an incidental uterine malignancy was 0.27% for LMS and 0.14% for EAC. All three incidental malignancies were diagnosed in premenopausal women. The risk of unintended morcellation of uterine malignancy in our study is higher than that estimated by the Australian TGA and highlights the urgent need for further studies in Australia.

ANNUAL BALI INTERNATIONAL COMBINED CLINICAL MEETING

Background: This valuable collaboration between Adelaide and Bali was first convened by Prof. I G. Surya, the late Prof. Made Kornia and Associate Prof. John Svigos in May 2011 at Sanglah General Hospital, Bali-Indonesia. This is a three day clinical meeting consisting of a daily Plenary Session for formal presentations running along with a Concurrent Session predominantly for “hands on” and interactive teaching. The meeting has a multidisciplinary focus which is in tune with contemporary Maternal Fetal Medicine practice and consists of obstetricians, midwives, neonatologists and obstetric anaesthetists from both cities sharing their respective experiences. From an initial modest meeting with 80 registrants this has now grown to over 300 registrants in 2015. A fourth day was trialed in 2014 in which a Field Day was incorporated into the program and enabled the overseas participants to gain some first hand experience in the workings of an orphanage (Anak Anak Bali Kids), a midwife obstetric unit (Bumi Sehat) and a level two hospital (Sanjiwani Hospital, Gianyar). Further Field Days are anticipated at future meetings. The Visiting Faculty from Australia are predominantly from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital with input from The Lyell McEwin Hospital both in Adelaide, The Royal North Shore Hospital and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth. The broader strategic aspects of the collaboration have seen the rotation of three MFM Trainees from the Trigonum (Denpasar, Surabaya and Malang) through Adelaide for two months in 2011 and 2012 as part of their MFM training. Unfortunately AusAID funding has not been forthcoming for further rotations to occur but in 2016 a multidisciplinary group from Sanglah General Hospital will be making a one week visit to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital as a forerunner to further visits. Meantime the collaborations with the Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya and the Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang are being further strengthened with members of the Visiting Faculty also visiting the MFM units at these hospitals prior to the BICCM. The Convenors for the 2016 BICCM meeting in May will be Dr. Ryan Mulyana assisted by Dr Jaya Kusuma, Feto Maternal Division, Sanglah General Hospital and Dr Rosalie Grivell assisted by Associate Prof John Svigos, MFM Service, Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The reconstructive challenges of electrical burns to the scalp: A case series

Soft tissue or bony loss to the scalp and forehead present a reconstructive challenge, especially in the young patient. Much literature is available on scalp and forehead reconstruction for primary malignant pathologies, however reconstruction for contact electrical burns is reported infrequently in the literature. This case series looks at two patients with full thickness burns to the scalp and forehead requiring free flap reconstruction over 11 years at the Burns Unit at Royal Perth Hospital in Perth, Western Australia. We describe the flap reconstruction and outcomes of these patients and review the relevant literature. Three free flap reconstructions were performed on the two patients. The first patient had a free gracilis flap which failed five days post-operatively. 25 days post initial injury a free rectus flap was used to cover the predominantly forehead defect. The second patient had a free latissimus dorsi flap completed one week after initial injury. Free flap reconstruction of scalp and forehead following contact electrical burns is complicated and challenging. The outcomes of both of the patients in this case series was positive and both have had satisfactory flap survival at the time of writing. Due to rare nature of this type of burn there is little published evidence outlining the definitive management of this type of injury. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study

Characteristics and Outcomes of MI Patients with and without Chest Pain: A Cohort Study

There are conflicting data on patient characteristics and outcomes of myocardial infarction (MI) patients presenting with and without the symptom of chest pain. Compare the characteristics and survival of patients stratified by the symptom chest pain. This retrospective cohort study identified patients with an emergency department discharge diagnosis of MI, who arrived by ambulance at a teaching hospital in Perth, Western Australia, between January 2008 to October 2009. The cohort was linked to hospital data and the state-based death register; clinical data were extracted by medical record review. Patient characteristics were compared using logistic regression models and survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models. Of 382 patients, 26% presented without chest pain. The odds of presenting without chest pain were increased if aged 80+ (OR 7.54; 95%CI 2.81-20.3) and aged 70-79 years (OR 4.33; 95% CI 1.50-12.5), and female (OR 1.67; 95%CI 0.99-2.82). The adjusted hazard (median follow-up time 2.2 years) of presenting without chest pain was not significantly associated with survival (HR 1.03; 95%CI 0.71-1.48). Characteristics differed between patients with and without chest pain. However, the symptom of chest pain was not associated with survival.

Strategic information for hospital service planning: a linked data study to inform an urban Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer program in Western Australia.

The aim of the present study was to provide descriptive planning data for a hospital-based Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO) program, specifically quantifying episodes of care and outcomes within 28 days after discharge. A follow-up study of Aboriginal in-patient hospital episodes was undertaken using person-based linked administrative data from four South Metropolitan hospitals in Perth, Western Australia (2006-11). Outcomes included 28-day deaths, emergency department (ED) presentations and in-patient re-admissions. There were 8041 eligible index admissions among 5113 individuals, with episode volumes increasing by 31% over the study period. Among patients 25 years and older, the highest ranking comorbidities included injury (47%), drug and alcohol disorders (41%), heart disease (40%), infection (40%), mental illness (31%) and diabetes (31%). Most events (96%) ended in a regular discharge. Within 28 days, 24% of events resulted in ED presentations and 20% resulted in hospital readmissions. Emergency readmissions (13%) were twice as likely as booked re-admissions (7%). Stratified analyses showed poorer outcomes for older people, and for emergency and tertiary hospital admissions. Future planning must address the greater service volumes anticipated. The high prevalence of comorbidities requires intensive case management to address case complexity. These data will inform the refinement of the AHLO program to improve in-patient experiences and outcomes.

Prevalence and risk factors for parent-reported recurrent otitis media during early childhood in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.

To describe the prevalence and risk factors of recurrent otitis media (rOM) in an urban Australian population at 3 years of age. Cross-sectional examination of prevalence and risk factors of rOM in 2280 participants from the Raine Study enrolled from public and private hospitals in Perth, Western Australia, between 1989 and 1991. Parental report questionnaires at 3 years of age were used for rOM identification, with secondary confirmation by otoscopic examination at 1, 2 or 3 years of age. The prevalence of parent-reported rOM was 26.8% (611/2280) and 5.5% (125/2280) for severe rOM in the Study. Independent associations were found between rOM and the presence of older siblings, attendance at day care and the introduction of other milk products at ≤4 months of age. Independent associations for severe rOM were the presence of allergies and attendance at day care. Prevalence rates of rOM within the Raine Study children are similar to a number of other known cohorts. Parity, presence of allergies, attendance at day care and introduction of other milk products at ≤4 months are highlighted as specific risk factors for rOM in this population and presence of allergies and attendance at day care being risk factors for severe rOM. Diagnosis of rOM by parent report and the delay between data collection and reporting are limitations of this study. However, as there is very limited data on OM in urban, non-Indigenous Australian children, this study improves our understanding of OM for this group.

Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection in two tertiary-care hospitals in Perth, Western Australia: a cross-sectional study.

The epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has changed over time and between countries. It is therefore essential to monitor the characteristics of patients at risk of infection and the circulating strains to recognize local and global trends, and improve patient management. From December 2011 to May 2012 we conducted a prospective, observational epidemiological study of patients with laboratory-confirmed CDI at two tertiary teaching hospitals in Perth, Western Australia to determine CDI incidence and risk factors in an Australian setting. The incidence of CDI varied from 5.2 to 8.1 cases/10 000 occupied bed days (OBDs) at one hospital and from 3.9 to 16.3/10 000 OBDs at the second hospital. In total, 80 patients with laboratory-confirmed CDI met eligibility criteria and consented to be in the study. More than half (53.8%) had hospital-onset disease, 28.8% had community-onset and healthcare facility-associated disease and 7.5% were community-associated infections according to the definitions used. Severe CDI was observed in 40.0% of these cases but the 30-day mortality rate for all cases was only 2.5%. Besides a shorter length of stay among cases of community-onset CDI, no characteristics were identified that were significantly associated with community-onset or severe CDI. From 70 isolates, 34 different ribotypes were identified. The predominant ribotypes were 014 (24.3%), 020 (5.7%), 056 (5.7%) and 070 (5.7%). Whereas this study suggests that the characteristics of CDI cases in Australia are not markedly different from those in other developed countries, the increase in CDI rate observed emphasizes the importance of surveillance.

Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction: Concordance between Paramedic and Hospital Records

Introduction. To further reduce time to definitive therapy for acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients, the focus of research needs to be on better understanding prehospital delay in recognition and response to symptoms. Paramedic clinical records can serve as a convenient source of data for such studies, but their accuracy needs to be established. Objectives. This study aimed to determine the concordance of the symptoms and symptom-onset time recorded in the paramedic patient care record (PCR) with those recorded in the hospital medical record for MI patients. Methods. A retrospective review of paramedic and hospital medical records was undertaken between January 1, 2008 and October 31, 2009 for all patients with an emergency department (ED) discharge diagnosis of MI at a single teaching hospital in Perth, Western Australia. The symptoms of MI and onset times documented in the paramedic PCR were compared with those recorded in the hospital medical record, which was considered the “gold standard.” The study assessed differences in documentation using McNemar's tests, and concordance was described by kappa and adjusted kappa statistics, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV). Results. Of 810 patients with an ED discharge diagnosis of MI, 584 (71%) patients arrived by ambulance and 509 patients had a paramedic PCR. After exclusions, 400 patients had both paramedic PCR and hospital medical records available for review. Of 21 documented MI symptoms, the majority (71.4%) had adjusted kappa statistics greater than 0.75, and observed agreement greater than 90%. For the symptom of chest pain, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were all over 85%. Where recorded in both records (n = 196, 49%) the symptom-onset time agreed exactly for 118 (60.2%) records, differed by 1–15 minutes for 24 (12.2%) records, and differed by 16–30 minutes for 22 (11.2%) records. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that documentation of the common symptoms of MI and symptom-onset time was similar between the paramedic and hospital records, justifying the use of paramedic PCRs as a source of data for research in prehospital MI patient delay. Further research is required to investigate why symptom-onset time was not routinely documented for all patients with chest pain.

Changing trends in venous thromboembolism‐related imaging in Western Australian teaching hospitals, 2002–2010

OBJECTIVE To determine trends in referral for venous thromboembolism (VTE) imaging in Western Australian teaching hospitals. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective audit of the WA picture archiving and communication system, PathWest Laboratory Medicine records, the hospital morbidity database at the four adult teaching hospitals in Perth, WA, and the WA death registry. PATIENTS All patients referred for VTE-related imaging, and all hospital separations for pulmonary embolism (PE) during 2002-2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of referrals for computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), ventilation-perfusion lung scintigraphy, leg ultrasound and plasma D-dimer assay; hospital separations for PE and deaths from PE. RESULTS Referrals for VTE-related imaging increased by 34%, while PE-related imaging increased by 65% during the study period, owing entirely to referrals for CTPA, which increased by more than 500%. The number of hospital separations for PE increased by 45% over the same period and the prevalence of PE among referred patients fell from 22.1% in 2002 to 19.5% in 2010. There was no fall in the death rate from PE in WA during the study period (P = 0.19). The number of D-dimer tests performed in the same hospitals increased by 42% over the study period. CONCLUSIONS The increased number of referrals for PE-related imaging resulted in more diagnoses but no reduction in deaths from PE in WA. Widespread D-dimer testing did not reduce referrals for imaging and is likely to have resulted in increased referrals. Increased imaging leads to overdiagnosis of clinically insignificant PE, and alternative strategies are required to reduce PE death rates.

Papanicoloau smear uptake among substance-using mothers in Western Australia

Background: Papanicoloau (Pap) smear screening has helped to reduce cervical cancer rates significantly through the detection of premalignant cells ( Bray et al, 2005 ). Uptake among women who use alcohol and other drugs (AOD) is known to be low ( Chau et al, 2002 ) so they are at increased risk of being under-represented in the adequately screened population. AOD-using women experience disproportionately increased morbidity and mortality from cervical dysplasia and cancer ( Nogara et al, 2013 ). Pregnancy may provide the midwife an opportunity to offer this vital screening test. Objective: The audit investigated Pap smear uptake and results among AOD-using pregnant women. Setting: Pregnant women cared for by an obstetric AOD service based in a tertiary hospital in Perth, Western Australia, were eligible for inclusion in the study. Results: Across a period of 12 months, 333 childbearing-aged AOD-addicted women were audited: 142 had a Pap smear in the previous 3 years; 80 had not had a Pap smear in the previous 3 years; 80 declined a Pap smear; and 31 were either illegible or no record was available. Conclusion: This audit emphasises the importance of Pap smears being offered and followed up among the population of AOD-using pregnant mothers. Encouraging early booking and access to early antenatal care with midwives who are proficient in Pap smear collection is essential in order to provide optimal care.

Using linked hospitalisation data to detect nursing sensitive outcomes: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundNursing sensitive outcomes are adverse patient health outcomes that have been shown to be associated with nursing care. Researchers have developed specific algorithms to identify nursing sensitive outcomes using administrative data sources, although contention still surrounds the ability to adjust for pre-existing conditions. Existing nursing sensitive outcome detection methods could be improved by using look-back periods that incorporate relevant health information from patient's previous hospitalisations. Design and settingRetrospective cohort study at three tertiary metropolitan hospitals in Perth, Western Australia. ObjectivesThe objective of this research was to explore the effect of using linked hospitalisation data on estimated incidence rates of eleven adverse nursing sensitive outcomes by retrospectively extending the timeframe during which relevant patient disease information may be identified. The research also explored whether patient demographics and/or the characteristics of their hospitalisations were associated with nursing sensitive outcomes. ResultsDuring the 5 year study period there were 356,948 hospitalisation episodes involving 189,240 patients for a total of 2,493,654 inpatient days at the three tertiary metropolitan hospitals. There was a reduction in estimated rates for all nursing sensitive outcomes when a look-back period was applied to identify relevant health information from earlier hospitalisations within the preceding 2 years. Survival analysis demonstrates that the majority of relevant patient disease information is identified within approximately 2 years of the baseline nursing sensitive outcomes hospitalisation. Compared to patients without, patients with nursing sensitive outcomes were significantly more likely to be older (70 versus 58 years), female, have Charleson comorbidities, be direct transfers from another hospital, have a longer inpatient stay and spend time in intensive care units (p≤0.001). ConclusionsThe results of this research suggest that nursing sensitive outcome rates may be over-estimated using current detection methods. Linked hospitalisation data enables the use of look-back periods to identify clinically relevant diagnosis codes recorded prior to the hospitalisation in which a nursing sensitive outcome is detected. Using linked hospitalisation data to incorporate look-back periods offers an opportunity to increase the accuracy of nursing sensitive outcome detection when using administrative data sources.

Quantifying the proportion of general practice and low‐acuity patients in the emergency department

To accurately estimate the proportion of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) who may have been suitable to be seen in general practice. Using data sourced from the Emergency Department Information Systems for the calendar 2013s 2009 to 2011 at three major tertiary hospitals in Perth, Western Australia, we compared four methods for calculating general practice-type patients. These were the validated Sprivulis method, the widely used Australasian College for Emergency Medicine method, a discharge diagnosis method developed by the Tasmanian Department of Human and Health Services, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) method. General practice-type patient attendances to EDs, estimated using the four methods. All methods except the AIHW method showed that 10%-12% of patients attending tertiary EDs in Perth may have been suitable for general practice. These attendances comprised 3%-5% of total ED length of stay. The AIHW method produced different results (general practice-type patients accounted for about 25% of attendances, comprising 10%-11% of total ED length of stay). General practice-type patient attendances were not evenly distributed across the week, with proportionally more patients presenting during weekday daytime (08:00-17:00) and proportionally fewer overnight (00:00-08:00). This suggests that it is not a lack of general practitioners that drives patients to the ED, as weekday working hours are the time of greatest GP availability. The estimated proportion of general practice-type patients attending the EDs of Perth's major hospitals is 10%-12%, and this accounts for < 5% of the total ED length of stay. The AIHW methodology overestimates the actual proportion of general practice-type patient attendances.

Education and Support for Fathers Improves Breastfeeding Rates

Studies have identified numerous factors affecting breastfeeding initiation and duration, including maternal education, mode of delivery, birth weight, socioeconomic status, and support of the infant's father. The objective was to investigate the effects of an antenatal education session and postnatal support targeted to fathers. The Fathers Infant Feeding Initiative (FIFI Study) is a randomized controlled trial to increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding that was conducted in 8 public maternity hospitals in Perth, Western Australia. A total of 699 couples were randomized within hospitals to either intervention or control groups. The intervention consisted of a 2-hour antenatal education session and postnatal support provided to fathers. The any breastfeeding rate for the intervention group was significantly greater at 6 weeks: 81.6% in the intervention group compared to 75.2% in the control group, odds ratio 1.46 (95% CI, 1.01-2.13). After adjustment for age and hospital, the odds ratio for any breastfeeding in the intervention group was 1.58 (1.06-2.35) and for socioeconomic status (SES), 1.56 (1.06-2.30). The infants of older fathers were more likely to be breastfed at 6 weeks compared to infants of younger fathers (P < .01), and infants of fathers with high SES more likely than infants of fathers with low SES (P = .013). Even a small increase in breastfeeding rates brings public health benefits. In this study, a minimal intervention was found to significantly increase any breastfeeding at 6 weeks: 81.6% in the intervention group compared to 75.2% in the control group.