Comparison between gallium-68 citrate positron emission tomography-computed tomography and gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy for infection imaging.

Background: Preliminary studies have reported promising results for the utility of gallium-68 (Ga-68) citrate positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for infection imaging. This technique offers reduced radiation dose to patients, shorter time between injection and imaging and reduced time for image acquisition compared to the 'gold standard' nuclear imaging technique: gallium-67 (Ga-67) citrate scintigraphy.

Aims: To compare the two imaging modalities to ascertain whether Ga-68 citrate PET-CT is of equivalent diagnostic efficacy for bone and joint infection or pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and to assess image quality and reporter confidence.

Cost analysis of a brief intervention for the prevention of falls after discharge from an emergency department.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: There is considerable uncertainty around the cost-effectiveness of interventions for preventing secondary falls in older people presenting to emergency departments (ED). The objective was to complete an economic evaluation of a brief educational ED intervention aimed at preventing falls in older people post discharge.

Methods: A net cost analysis was completed from the health system perspective, using data from a controlled clinical trial, where an education intervention was compared to standard care.

Effect of 6 months hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery in young people with type 1 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Automated insulin delivery (also known as closed loop, or artificial pancreas) has shown potential to improve glycaemic control and quality of life in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Automated insulin delivery devices incorporate an insulin pump with continuous glucose monitoring(CGM) and an algorithm, and adjust insulin in real time. This study aims to establish the safety and efficacy of a hybrid closed-loop (HCL) system in a long-term outpatient trial in people with T1D aged 12 -<25 years of age, and compare outcomes with standard therapy for T1D as used in the contemporary community.

Economic Evaluations of Pathology Tests, 2010-2015: A Scoping Review.

Background: Concerns about pathology testing such as the value provided by new tests and the potential for inappropriate utilization have led to a greater need to assess costs and benefits. Economic evaluations are a formal method of analyzing costs and benefits, yet for pathology tests, questions remain about the scope and quality of the economic evidence.

Objective: To describe the extent and quality of published evidence provided by economic evaluations of pathology tests from 2010 to 2015.

Ga-somatostatin analogue PET-CT: Analysis of costs and benefits in a public hospital setting.

Introduction: Between 2009 and 2012, Ga-somatostatin analogue PET-CT progressively replaced In-octreotide scintigraphy for imaging neuroendocrine tumours in WA public hospitals due to published literature demonstrating improved diagnostic accuracy and increased availability. Despite significantly improved sensitivity and specificity, Ga-somatostatin analogue PET is currently unfunded in Australia. This study sought to undertake cost analysis of the two modalities in a public hospital setting and to compare them with regard to patient factors such as imaging time and radiation dose.

Health care utilization and costs for children and adults with duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an incurable neuromuscular disorder of childhood. Healthcare, caregiving, and other resource needs of affected individuals are thought to be substantial; however, the economic burden associated with DMD has not yet been assessed specifically in Australia.

Methods: Australian households with a child with DMD were asked to complete a cross-sectional survey.

One third of hospital costs for atherothrombotic disease are attributable to readmissions: a linked data analysis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most frequent cause of death in Australia, with an associated cost burden of 11% of Australian annual health expenditure of which 40% is for hospital admissions. We investigated health outcomes and the components of hospital expenditure in the two years after an atherothrombotic disease admission to a tertiary hospital in an Australian setting.

Methods: Using data linkage we analysed two years of hospitalisation data and death records of all men and women aged 35-84 years with an admission to a Western Australian tertiary hospital for atherothrombotic disease in 2007.

Disparities in equity and access for hospitalised atherothrombotic disease.

Objective: This study of equity and access characterises admissions for coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial disease by hospital type (rural, tertiary and non-tertiary metropolitan) in a representative Australian population.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive analysis using data linkage of all residents aged 35-84 years hospitalised in Western Australia with a primary diagnosis for an atherothrombotic event in 2007. We compared sociodemographic and clinical features by atherothrombotic territory and hospital type.

The economic benefits of increased levels of nursing care in the hospital setting.

Aim: To assess the economic impact of increased nursing hours of care on health outcomes in adult teaching hospitals in Perth, Western Australia.

Background: Advancing technology and increased availability of treatment interventions are increasing demand for health care while the downturn in world economies has increased demand for greater efficiency. Nurse managers must balance nurse staffing to optimize care and provide efficiencies.

Earlier translation of evidence into public subsidy may prevent morbidity and mortality: an example using statins in diabetics with normal cholesterol levels.

Objective: To determine the effects on cardiovascular outcomes and costs of a delay in subsidising statins for Australian normolipidaemic diabetics aged 60-79 years that occurred between 2002 and 2006.

Methods: The Australian normolipidaemic diabetic population aged 60-79 with no history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke was estimated from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (National Health Survey 2001 and 2002 population estimates). The number of CHD and stroke events expected to have occurred between 2002 and 2006 were estimated from the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study Risk Engine.

Direct health care costs of children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Objective: To assess the direct annual health care costs for children and adolescents with Down syndrome in Western Australia and to explore the variation in health care use including respite, according to age and disease profile.

Study Design: Population-based data were derived from a cross-sectional questionnaire that was distributed to all families who had a child with Down syndrome as old as 25 years of age in Western Australia.

Results: Seventy-three percent of families (363/500) responded to the survey.

Positive impact of increased number of emergency consultants.

The increased presence of consultant staff should theoretically lead to better outcomes in emergency departments (EDs). A retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary paediatric emergency department (PED) over a 10-year period documenting trends in percentage of children admitted, complaints to the department and average waiting times. Consultant numbers increased from 2.