A review of the cost-effectiveness of genetic testing for germline variants in familial cancer.

Background: Targeted germline testing is recommended for those with or at risk of breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer. The affordability of genetic sequencing has improved over the past decade, therefore the cost-effectiveness of testing for these cancers is worthy of reassessment.

Objective: To systematically review economic evaluations on cost-effectiveness of germline testing in breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer.

Meta-analysis of health state utility values measured by EuroQol 5-dimensions (EQ5D) questionnaire in Chinese women with breast cancer.

Background: To synthesise EQ5D health state utility values in Chinese women with breast cancer for parameterising a cost utility model.

Methods: Eligible studies had to report health state utility values measured by EQ-5D in Chinese women diagnosed with breast cancer. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Cost of septic and aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Background: The increasing incidence of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has led to an increase in both the incidence and the cost burden of revision TKA procedures. This study aimed to review the literature on the cost of revision TKA for septic and aseptic causes and to identify the major cost components contributing to the cost burden.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE (OvidSp), Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EconLit, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies.

Modelling a cost-effective vaccination strategy for the prevention of varicella and herpes zoster infection: A systematic review.

Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) and its re-emergence as herpes zoster (HZ) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While studies show that VZV vaccination is effective in reducing VZV incidence, many decision makers have not added VZV to their vaccination schedule, largely due to uncertainty surrounding the effect of VZV vaccination on HZ incidence (exogenous boosting, EB), and the cost-effectiveness (CE) of vaccination.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify the current published evidence of CE of VZV vaccination strategies where both VZV and HZ incidence were modelled.

Examining evidence based resistance plus balance training in community-dwelling older adults with complex health care needs: Trial protocol for the Muscling Up Against Disability project.

Progressive resistance plus balance training (PRBT) has been demonstrated as effective in reducing later life physical disability, falls risk and poor health, even among those with complex health care needs. However, few studies have examined the influence of PRBT on health service utilisation, cognitive wellbeing and training modality acceptance or undertaken a cost benefit analysis. This project will investigate the broad scope benefits of PRBT participation among community-dwelling older Australians receiving Government supported aged care packages for their complex health care needs.

What carers and family said about music therapy on behaviours of older people with dementia in residential aged care.

Aim: This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of group music therapy (MT) intervention on behaviours of older people with dementia.

Method: Reported here are qualitative data from five, semi-structured focus groups; two comprising a total of seven family members and three comprising a total of 23 staff members.

Results: A number of core themes emerged: temporality, effect and policy with a number of subthemes.

Effectiveness of staffing models in residential, subacute, extended aged care settings on patient and staff outcomes.

Background: A key concern for managers and nurse administrators of healthcare settings is staffing. Determining and maintaining an appropriate level and mix of staff is especially problematic for those working in the long-term aged-care sector, where resident needs are complex and recruitment and retention of staff is challenging.

Objectives: To identify which staffing models are associated with the best patient and staff outcomes.

Effectiveness of educational interventions to raise men's awareness of bladder and bowel health.

Background: Urinary incontinence is a common health problem with significant medical, psychological and economic burdens. Health education is capable of improving perceptions about and attitudes towards incontinence in turn encouraging them to seek help.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of educational interventions at raising men's awareness of bladder and bowel health.

Lessons learned: Staff perceptions of the Nintendo Wii as a health promotion tool within an aged-care and disability service.

Issue Addressed: enhancing opportunities for all older people to be physically and mentally active is an imperative in our ageing society. Lessons learned from the use of the Nintendo Wii within Queensland agedcare and disability services were assembled through eliciting staff perceptions regarding the usefulness of Wii technology within their centres.

Methods: telephone interviews were conducted with direct care staff in 53 centres that had been using the Wii technology for at least three months.

A comparison of palliative care outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in long-term care facilities: a systematic review.

Provision of palliative care in long-term care (LTC) facilities is important, but limited research has been undertaken to investigate the most appropriate outcome measure for use in this setting. In this systematic review we aimed to measure the psychometric properties (reliability/validity) and feasibility of palliative outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in LTC. For identification of outcome measures we undertook systematic searches of electronic databases from 1 January 2000 to 12 September 2008.

Effectiveness of educational interventions to raise men's awareness of bladder and bowel health.

Executive Summary: Urinary incontinence (UI) has been defined as a condition in which the involuntary loss of urine is a social or hygienic problem and is objectively demonstrable. Urinary incontinence is a common health problem that carries with it significant medical, psychosocial and economic burdens. Fecal incontinence has been defined as the involuntary or inappropriate passing of liquid or solid stool and can also include the incontinence of flatus.

A comparison of palliative care outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in Residential Aged Care Facilities: a systematic review.

Background: Provision of palliative care in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is important but limited research has been undertaken to investigate the most appropriate outcome measures for use in this setting.

Objective: This systematic review aimed tomeasure the psychometric properties (reliability/validity) and feasibility of palliative outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in residential aged care facilities.

Inclusion Criteria: This review considered studies reporting on the psychometric properties of palliative care outcome measures that have been used in assessing the quality of palliative care provided in residential aged care facilities, including support to family.

Best practice in the management of primary nocturnal enuresis in children: a systematic review.

Objective: Nocturnal enuresis is the involuntary loss of urine at night in a child of an age and physical health where they would be expected to be dry. The prevalence of this condition in Australia has been estimated at 18.9% in children 5 to 12 years of age, with up to 19% of boys and 16% of girls aged 5 years wetting the bed at least once per month.

Managing the wandering behaviour of people living in a residential aged care facility.

Background  Wandering behaviour is frequently seen in older people with cognitive impairment. The prevalence of patients exhibiting wandering behaviour has been estimated to be 11.6% on traditional units and 52.

Managing the wandering behaviour of people living in a residential aged care facility.

Background: Wandering behaviour is frequently seen in older people with cognitive impairment. The prevalence of patients exhibiting wandering behaviour has been estimated to be 11.6% on traditional units and 52.

A systematic review of topical skin care in aged care facilities.

Aim: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness of topical skin care interventions for residents of aged care facilities.

Introduction: Natural changes to skin, as well as increased predisposition to pressure sores and incontinence, means residents of aged care facilities readily require topical skin care. A range of interventions exist that aim to maintain or improve the integrity of skin of older adults.

Strategies to reduce medication errors with reference to older adults.

Background  In Australia, around 59% of the general population uses prescription medication with this number increasing to about 86% in those aged 65 and over and 83% of the population over 85 using two or more medications simultaneously. A recent report suggests that between 2% and 3% of all hospital admissions in Australia may be medication related with older Australians at higher risk because of higher levels of medicine intake and increased likelihood of being admitted to hospital. The most common medication errors encountered in hospitals in Australia are prescription/medication ordering errors, dispensing, administration and medication recording errors.

Strategies to reduce medication errors with reference to older adults.

Background: In Australia, around 59% of the general population uses prescription medication with this number increasing to about 86% in those aged 65 and over and 83% of the population over 85 using two or more medications simultaneously. A recent report suggests that between 2% and 3% of all hospital admissions in Australia may be medication related with older Australians at higher risk because of higher levels of medicine intake and increased likelihood of being admitted to hospital. The most common medication errors encountered in hospitals in Australia are prescription/medication ordering errors, dispensing, administration and medication recording errors.

Effectiveness of topical skin care provided in aged care facilities.

Background  The 2001 Australian census revealed that adults aged 65 years and over constituted 12.6% of the population, up from 12.1% in 1996.

Effectiveness of topical skin care provided in aged care facilities.

Background: The 2001 Australian census revealed that adults aged 65 years and over constituted 12.6% of the population, up from 12.1% in 1996.