Management and outcomes of splenic injuries secondary to blunt trauma in patients presenting to major trauma hospitals in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: Non-operative management of splenic injuries has significantly increased in the last decade with an increased emphasis on splenic preservation. This shift was assisted by increased availability of angioembolization, however, potential geographical variability in access exists in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). The aim of this study was to assess the management of splenic injury across AoNZ.

Opioid prescribing patterns following common general surgery procedures in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Background: Global increases in opioid prescribing and misuse have prompted calls for closer regulation. Opioid prescription following surgery may lead to long term opioid use. A study was conducted evaluating opioid prescriptions on hospital discharge following common general surgery operations in the Bay of Plenty.

Checklists for image-guided interventions: a systematic review.

Objectives: Safety checklists have improved safety in patients undergoing surgery. Checklists have been designed specifically for use in image-guided interventions. This systematic review aimed to identify checklists designed for use in radiological interventions and to evaluate their efficacy for improving patient safety.

Effect of ethnicity and rurality on treatment delays in patients with colorectal cancer in Northland, New Zealand.

Background: Ethnic and rural disparities in medical treatment and outcomes have been demonstrated across a range of conditions, including colorectal cancer. Timely treatment and investigation of symptoms in patients with suspicion of cancer is likely to improve outcomes and patient experience. Achieving equity in timeliness of care is important in achieving the goal of equitable cancer outcomes outlined in the New Zealand cancer action plan.

Effect of a See and Treat clinic on skin cancer treatment time.

Background: Many plastic surgery departments in Australasia have experienced increasing referrals for management of skin lesions. This has driven a demand for new strategies to decrease patient waiting time and administrative costs. The aim of this study was to determine if a purpose-built See and Treat skin cancer clinic could provide a faster skin cancer treatment pathway with comparable clinical outcomes and acceptability to patients.

A behaviourally anchored rating scale for evaluating the use of the WHO surgical safety checklist: development and initial evaluation of the WHOBARS.

Background: Realising the full potential of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) to reduce perioperative harm requires the constructive engagement of all operating room (OR) team members during its administration. To facilitate research on SSC implementation, a valid and reliable instrument is needed for measuring OR team behaviours during its administration. We developed a behaviourally anchored rating scale (BARS) for this purpose.