Variation in documented inhalation injury rates following burn injury in Australia and New Zealand.

Introduction: The negative impact of inhalation injuries on in-hospital outcomes for burn patients is well known, but the burns community is yet to form a consensus on diagnostic criteria and clinical definitions. The diagnosis of inhalation injuries is consequently highly subjective. This study aimed to assess the variation in the rate of documented inhalation injury for adult patients in Australian and New Zealand burn units.

Epidemiology of burn-related fatalities in Australia and New Zealand, 2009-2015.

Background: Knowledge of the epidemiology of burn-related fatalities is limited, with most previous studies based on hospital and burn centre data only.

Aims: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of all burn-related fatalities in Australia and New Zealand, and to identify any trends in burn-related fatality incidence over the study period.

Methods: Data from the National Coronial Information System, including data for pre-hospital and in-hospital burn-related fatality cases, was used to examine the characteristics of burn-related fatalities occurring in Australia and New Zealand from 2009 to 2015.

Epidemiology of work-related burn injuries presenting to burn centres in Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Burn injuries to workers can have a devastating impact, however knowledge of the epidemiology of work-related burn injuries in Australia and New Zealand is limited.

Purpose: To describe epidemiological characteristics of work-related burn injuries in Australia and New Zealand, and to compare these with non-work-related burns.

Methods: Adult burn injury data, 2009-2016, were extracted from the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand.

The impact of sustained hot weather on risk of acute work-related injury in Melbourne, Australia.

It has been reported that weather-related high ambient temperature is associated with an increased risk of work-related injury. Understanding this relationship is important because work-related injuries are a major public health problem, and because projected climate changes will potentially expose workers to hot days, including consecutive hot days, more often. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of exposure to sustained periods of hot weather on work-related injury risk for workers in Melbourne, Australia.

Association between high ambient temperature and acute work-related injury: a case-crossover analysis using workers' compensation claims data.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the association between high ambient temperature and acute work-related injury, expanding on previous research in this area. Specifically we examined the relationship between both daytime and overnight temperatures and injury risk and disentangled physically demanding occupational exposures from exposure to outdoor working conditions. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study design was used to examine the association between ambient temperatures and acute work-related injuries in Melbourne, Australia, 2002-2012, using workers' compensation claims to identify work-related injuries.

Comparison of data sets for surveillance of work-related injury in Victoria, Australia.

Objective: To investigate differences and similarities between three sources of work-related injury information: workers compensation claims, emergency department (ED) presentation data and hospital admissions data.

Methods: This population-based, retrospective descriptive analysis of non-fatal, work-related injuries of workforce participants in Victoria, Australia, has compared data from workers compensation claims and ED presentation and hospital admission data sets for the period 2004-2011. Work-related injury case frequency and rate were compared across study years according to gender, age, geographical location and injury type.

Preparation of residential aged care services for extreme hot weather in Victoria, Australia.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe preparations for extreme hot weather at Victorian public sector residential aged care services for the 2010-11 summer, and to examine the role of the Residential Aged Care Services Heatwave Ready Resource in this process.

Method: Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews of senior staff of Victorian public sector residential aged care services. Interviews were conducted at monthly intervals from November 2010 to March 2011, and data were analysed thematically.

Characteristics of an educational publication sourced from deaths investigated by the coroner that is reported to have promoted practice change.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the Residential Aged Care Coronial Communiqué that have promoted previously reported professional practice change, and to explore the circumstances of these changes.

Methods: This was an exploratory, qualitative study for which data was collected through semi-structured interview of 15 subscribers to the Residential Aged Care Coronial Communiqué.

Results: The Residential Aged Care Coronial Communiqué was reported to promote self-reported practice change though the inclusion of case studies, by being associated with the Coroner, and by providing evidence to justify change.

Minimising harm from heatwaves: a survey of awareness, knowledge, and practices of health professionals and care providers in Victoria, Australia.

Objectives: Heatwaves cause illness and death, and are likely to become more severe and frequent in the future. This study has investigated the awareness, knowledge and practices of health professionals and care providers regarding heatwaves and health of older clients, in order to inform harm minimisation strategies for Victoria, Australia.

Methods: An electronic survey of personnel of six health profession and care provider groups that support the health of older people living in the community was conducted in Victoria, Australia, in 2008.

Minimising harm to older Victorians from heatwaves: A qualitative study of the role of community-based health profession and carer organisations.

Aim: To investigate the role of community-based health profession and carer organisations in Victoria in minimising harm to older people from heatwaves.

Methods: A qualitative study based on semistructured interviews was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Twelve people were interviewed, representing four professional groups that support the health of older Victorians who reside at home.

The effect of printed educational material from the coroner in Victoria, Australia, on changing aged care health professional practice: a subscriber survey.

There are substantial knowledge and research gaps about the effects of printed educational material on professional practice. This study has examined whether the Residential Aged Care Coronial (RACC) Communiqué, an electronic newsletter of narrative case reports about lessons learned from deaths in residential aged care settings reported to the coroner in Victoria, Australia, prompted subscribers to initiate change in professional practice to improve care. An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to all registered subscribers of the RACC Communiqué to collect information about self-reported changes in professional practice, respondent characteristics, reading behavior, and an assessment of effect and content of the publication.