Acute medical admissions for older people from residential care facilities: are they appropriate?

Aim: Acute medical admissions are increasing and potentially avoidable admissions (PAA) from residential care facilities (RCF) have been blamed. Estimates for the proportion of PAA from RCFs vary enormously in the literature. This study aimed to prospectively determine the level of PAA to a New Zealand hospital.

Improving care to stroke patients: adding an acute stroke unit helps.

Background: Stroke units save lives, reduce dependency, and increase the chance of returning home. A 15-bed Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) was opened on the acute hospital campus to complement an established Stroke Rehabilitation Unit (SRU) on a distant campus. The aim of this study was to address whether patient care was improved with the establishment of the ASU.

Digoxin therapeutic drug monitoring: an audit and review.

Aim: The measurement and assessment of digoxin concentrations are often performed poorly. We have conducted an audit to assess the appropriateness of digoxin therapeutic drug monitoring in Christchurch Hospital.

Methods: One hundred consecutive requests for digoxin concentrations in Christchurch Hospital inpatients were assessed.