Increases in arm volume predict lymphoedema and quality of life deficits after axillary surgery: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Lymphoedema develops after axillary clearance (ANC) in 25% of patients. This prospective, multi-centre study compared multi-frequency bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) with arm volume measurement to: (1) determine which test has better diagnostic accuracy, (2) identify factors predicting development of lymphoedema, and its effect on quality-of-life.

Methods: Participants (N = 1100) underwent measurements pre and post-ANC surgery for breast cancer.

Patient-derived Mammosphere and Xenograft Tumour Initiation Correlates with Progression to Metastasis.

Breast cancer specific mortality results from tumour cell dissemination and metastatic colonisation. Identification of the cells and processes responsible for metastasis will enable better prevention and control of metastatic disease, thus reducing relapse and mortality. To better understand these processes, we prospectively collected 307 patient-derived breast cancer samples (n = 195 early breast cancers (EBC) and n = 112 metastatic samples (MBC)).

Comparison of multi-frequency bioimpedance with perometry for the early detection and intervention of lymphoedema after axillary node clearance for breast cancer.

The importance of early detection of lymphoedema by arm volume measurements before surgery and repeated measurements after surgery in women undergoing axillary node clearance (ANC) in order to enable early intervention is recognised. A prospective multi-centre study was performed which studied the difference between multi-frequency bioimpedance electrical analysis (BIS) and perometer arm measurement in predicting the development of lymphoedema. Women undergoing ANC underwent pre-operative and regular post-operative measurements of arm volume by both methods.

Unilateral Pigmented Extramammary Paget's Disease of the Axilla Associated with a Benign Mole: A Case Study and a Review of Literature.

Pigmented extramammary Paget's disease (PEMPD) is an uncommon intraepithelial adenocarcinoma and a rare variant of Paget's disease affecting skin that is rich in apocrine sweat glands such as the axilla, perianal region and vulva. It most commonly occurs in postmenopausal women and presents as a superficial pigmented scaly macule, mimicking a melanocytic lesion. The histological presentation is adenocarcinoma in situ with an increased number of melanocytes scattered between the Paget's cells.

Morbidity data quality initiatives in Ireland.

In 2004, the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry and National Perinatal Reporting System (HIPE & NPRS) Unit of the Economic and Social Research Institute in Ireland requested a review of its coder training programs and data quality initiatives, primarily because of the decision to implement a major change in the morbidity classification in January 2005. In August 2004, the authors conducted a formative evaluation using qualitative methods to assess the Unit's programs. A number of opportunities for building on the solid framework the Unit has implemented were identified.

Clinical coder training initiatives in Ireland.

The Hospital In-Patient Enquiry and National Perinatal Reporting System (HIPE & NPRS) Unit of the Economic and Social Research Institute in Ireland requested a review of its coder training programs and data quality initiatives, primarily because of the decision to implement a major change in Ireland's morbidity classification in January 2005. In August 2004, a formative evaluation using qualitative methods was conducted to assess the Unit's programs and initiatives. A number of opportunities for building on the solid frameworks the Unit has implemented were identified.

A framework for evaluating health classifications.

Evaluation is important to evidence-based policy and practice in Health Information Management. Health classifications are important components of information systems and should be evaluated to determine their suitability for the task required. This paper provides a framework for evaluating health classifications that are used for statistical and reporting purposes.

Electronic discharge summaries: the current state of play.

The exchange of health information between acute care providers (e.g. hospitals) and primary care providers (e.

Evaluation standards for clinical coder training.

This paper reports on an evaluation of clinical coder training programs, recently carried out in Ireland. In building an evaluation framework, the literature was reviewed to identify best practice standards, current practice, and professional opinion against which a sound judgment could be made. The literature was variable but nevertheless useful for the identification of evaluation standards.

Effects of oestrogens and anti-oestrogens on normal breast tissue from women bearing BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

There is considerable interest in whether anti-oestrogens can be used to prevent breast cancer in women bearing mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The effects of oestradiol (E2), tamoxifen (TAM) and fulvestrant (FUL) on proliferation and steroid receptor expression were assessed in normal breast epithelium taken from women at varying risks of breast cancer and implanted into athymic nude mice, which were treated with E2 in the presence and absence of TAM or FUL. Tissue samples were taken at various time points thereafter for assessment of proliferative activity and expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ERalpha and PgR) by immunohistochemistry.

Correction: Re: Acknowledgment: A Profile of Coding Staff in Sydney Metropolitan Public Hospitals Health Information Management, Vol 32(2).

The authors would like to thank Adam Bennett, who collected the raw data used in this study for his thesis submitted for the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science (Health Information Management) (Honours) at The University of Sydney.

A profile of coding staff in Sydney metropolitan public hospitals.

This survey assessed the profiles of ICD-10-AM coding staff employed in 13 major, acute care public hospitals in Sydney, Australia, during a two-week period in 1999. Approximately 90% (56/61) of respondents gave their job title as Clinical Coder or Coding Clerk; of these, 20 (36%) were qualified Health Information Managers, of whom 10 coded for >or=90% of their work-time and three for <75% of the time. One quarter of all Clinical Coders/Coding Clerks spent >25% of their work time performing duties other than coding.

The New South Wales Medical Record Department Benchmarking Project: a work in progress.

Benchmarking is having an increasing impact on the health information management (HIM) profession. With the current focus in healthcare on competition and outcomes, the challenge for managers of MRDs (predominantly HIMs) lies in proving that what they do, and the way they do it, achieves results which benefit the organisation and, ultimately, the patient or client. The Medical Record Department (MRD) Benchmarking Project is an initiative being undertaken on behalf of the HIM profession in New South Wales by the Health Information Management Association of Australia Limited (NSW Branch).

Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid gland.

Papillary microcarcinomas are a specific subgroup of papillary thyroid cancer. They have the same histological features as papillary thyroid cancer but are 1.0 cm or less in diameter.

Assessment of training in psychosexual medicine.

The Institute of Psychosexual Medicine offers training in the treatment of psychosexual problems to medically qualified doctors. Training takes place in fortnightly seminars in which trainees present and discuss real cases. Assessment of cases presented at the beginning and end of the six term basic training showed appreciable improvement in doctors' abilities.

Do oral contraceptives inhibit Trichomonas vaginalis?

Usage of oral contraceptives was recorded for 114 women with trichomoniasis, 179 women with yeast infection, and 333 women with gonorrhea. Usage by each group was compared with that of 517 women with no genital infection. The proportion of oral contraceptive users was significantly smaller among those with trichomoniasis (P less than 0.

Short-term psychosomatic treatment of sexual problems.

This is a review of 172 couples presenting with psychosexual problems. Ninety-four per cent of couples treated showed improvement after a mean time of 2.1 hours with the doctor.