A retrospective observational study examining interhospital transfers from six New Zealand rural hospitals in 2019.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the percentage of patients that were transferred from rural hospitals and who received an investigation or intervention at an urban hospital that was not readily available at the rural hospital.

Methods: A retrospective observational study.

Design: Patients were randomly selected and clinical records were reviewed.

Exploratory survey of procedural sedation and analgesia practice in sample of New Zealand rural hospitals: existing guidelines do not support current rural practice.

Aim: Rural hospitals in New Zealand provide broad generalist clinical services, including procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA). This study was designed to explore patterns of procedural sedation use including indications, equipment, medications, logistical and medical staff support available by rural hospitals, and whether current professional guidelines support rural sedation practice.

Methods: Through the New Zealand Rural Hospital Research Network, 17 rural hospitals were enrolled in an online survey during February 2018.

Transition of the medical model of care at Ashburton hospital over 10 years: the perspective of rural generalists.

Rural hospitals in New Zealand face difficult workforce challenges to maintain services and quality outcomes. Ashburton Hospital has undergone a 10-year transition from a secondary specialist to a rural generalist medical model of care. Current senior medical staff (rural hospital medicine fellows) here explore their experience of the process and outcomes of this transition.

Development of a Rural Inter-professional Simulation Course: an initiative to improve trauma and emergency team management in New Zealand rural hospitals.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT New Zealand is a largely rural nation. Despite the regionalisation of trauma services, rural hospitals continue to provide trauma and emergency care. A dedicated rural inter-professional team-based simulation course was designed, as part of a wider strategy of using simulation-based education to address the disparity in experience and training for rural hospital teams providing emergency and trauma care.