Potential to be more effective: Reduction in lower urgency emergency department presentations during the COVID-19 period in New South Wales, Australia.

Objective: Diverting lower urgency ED presentations to more suitable healthcare is a key goal of several healthcare systems. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there was a substantial drop in ED presentations in New South Wales (NSW), potentially because of lower risk of illness and injury through social restrictions, or ED avoidance for lower urgent care. The present study aimed to better understand the impact of social restrictions during the pandemic on ED presentations, to inform potential shifts to alternative modes of care in emergency medicine.

Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare activity in NSW, Australia.

Objective: COVID-19 has left no healthcare system untouched. In New South Wales (NSW), the most populous state in Australia, COVID-19 case numbers have to date been relatively low. However, that does not mean the state's healthcare system has been unaffected.

Haemoglobin concentration following postpartum haemorrhage and the association between blood transfusion and breastfeeding: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between red blood cell transfusion and breastfeeding among women who have suffered a postpartum haemorrhage at birth taking into account post-birth haemoglobin concentrations.

Results: Among 15,451 maternities with postpartum haemorrhage in New South Wales public hospitals between 2007 and 2010, 1828 (12%) received a red cell transfusion. Among transfused women, 686 (38%) had haemoglobin concentration pre-transfusion < 70 g/L, 792 (43%) had 70-90 g/L, and 350 (19%) had > 90 g/L.

Neonatal exchange transfusions in tertiary and non-tertiary hospital settings, New South Wales, 2001-2012.

Aim: To describe neonatal exchange transfusions in New South Wales (NSW) before and after release in January 2007 of a NSW Health guideline regarding exchange transfusions in tertiary and non-tertiary hospitals.

Methods: The study population included neonates receiving exchange transfusion in NSW hospitals, 2001-2012. Linked birth and hospital data for mothers and babies were used to describe birth characteristics and maternal and neonatal conditions.