Effect of randomised blood pressure lowering treatment and intensive glucose control on dementia and cognitive decline according to baseline cognitive function and other subpopulations of individuals with type 2 diabetes: Results from the ADVANCE trial.

Background And Aims: Accumulating evidence indicates that reducing high blood pressure (BP) prevents dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Furthermore, although diabetes is a risk factor for dementia and MCI, there is uncertainty of the effect of intensive glucose control on these endpoints. This study aimed to determine the effects of BP-lowering (vs placebo) and intensive glucose-lowering (vs standard control) treatments according to baseline cognition and other characteristics on dementia and cognitive decline (CD) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Quality of life and quality of care experience in Australian residential aged care: a retrospective cohort study of 1,772 residents.

Background: In April 2023, quality of life (QOL) and quality of care experience (QCE) indicators were introduced as mandatory indicators in Australian residential aged care (RAC) to measure and monitor wellbeing and consumer experience respectively. In this study, we used data for the initial four months after their introduction to describe QOL and QCE scores, explore related factors and assess variations by completion mode and facility.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using electronic data (Mar-Jun 2023) from 1,772 residents in 22 RAC facilities in metropolitan Sydney, Australia.

How often do parents administer medications to their children in hospital? A prospective direct observational study.

Parents and carers play a critical role in supporting their children while in hospital. Multiple qualitative studies have explored parental involvement in the care of hospitalised children. Administration of medication to young children can be difficult and cause anxiety and stress for children.

Using co-design to understand consumer's health information-seeking behaviours and design preferences for a new digital clinical dashboard in aged care.

Background: Little is known about the information needs of older people and their family caregivers, particularly around medication management. This is largely because this population are infrequently consulted in research. Health technologies such as digital dashboards can present comprehensive and timely data summaries to improve knowledge and guide decision-making.

Pharmacogenetic-guided dosing for fluoropyrimidine (DPYD) and irinotecan (UGT1A1*28) chemotherapies for patients with cancer (PACIFIC-PGx): A multicenter clinical trial.

PACIFIC-PGx evaluated the feasibility of implementing pharmacogenetics (PGx) screening in Australia and the impact of DPYD/UGT1A1 genotype-guided dosing on severe fluoropyrimidine (FP) and irinotecan-related toxicities and hospitalizations, compared to historical controls. This prospective single arm trial enrolled patients starting FP/irinotecan for any cancer between 7 January 2021 and 25 February 2022 from four Australian hospitals (one metropolitan, three regional). During the accrual period, 462/487 (95%) consecutive patients screened for eligibility for DPYD and 50/109 (46%) for UGT1A1 were enrolled and genotyped (feasibility analysis), with 276/462 (60%) for DPYD and 30/50 (60%) for UGT1A1 received FP/irinotecan (safety analysis).

Hospital volunteer programs for older people: A systematic scoping review.

Introduction: Volunteers play an important role in supporting patients in hospitals, especially older adult patients who may have increased care needs. This systematic scoping review aimed to synthesise evidence related to qualitative evaluations of hospital-based therapeutically oriented volunteer programs for older patients from the perspective of clinicians (nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals), and stakeholders (patients, families, and volunteers).

Methods: Nine databases were searched from January 2002 to November 2022.

Use of potentially inappropriate psychotropic medicines among older adults in 23 residential aged care facilities in Australia: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Psychotropic medications are frequently utilised in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Longitudinal medication administration data can offer crucial insights into the potential inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines (PIPMs), guiding future quality improvement initiatives. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of PIPMs use and assess variation in PIPMs use by facility for residents of RACFs.

Global Disparities of Cancer and Its Projected Burden in 2050.

Importance: Cancer prevention and care efforts have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts, resulting in a decline in the global Human Development Index (HDI), particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These challenges and subsequent shifts in health care priorities underscore the need to continuously monitor cancer outcome disparities and statistics globally to ensure delivery of equitable and optimal cancer prevention and care in uncertain times.

Objective: To measure the global burden of 36 cancers in 2022 by sex, age, and geographic location and to project future trends by 2050.

Factors associated with general practitioner-led diagnosis of long COVID: an observational study using electronic general practice data from Victoria and New South Wales, Australia.

Objectives: To investigate associations between sociodemographic factors, pre-existing chronic comorbidities, and general practitioner-led diagnosis of long COVID.

Design, Setting, Patients: We conducted a retrospective observational case-control study using de-identified electronic general practice data, recorded between January 2020 and March 2023, from 869 general practice clinics across four primary health networks in Victoria and New South Wales.

Main Outcome Measures: Sociodemographic factors and pre-existing chronic comorbidities associated with general practitioner-led diagnosis of long COVID.

Understanding prescribing errors for system optimisation: the technology-related error mechanism classification.

Objectives: Technology-related prescribing errors curtail the positive impacts of computerised provider order entry (CPOE) on medication safety. Understanding how technology-related errors (TREs) occur can inform CPOE optimisation. Previously, we developed a classification of the underlying mechanisms of TREs using prescribing error data from two adult hospitals.

The use and usefulness of the Peninsula Health Falls Risk Assessment Tool (PHFRAT) process in residential aged care: a mixed methods study across 25 aged care facilities.

Background: Falls remain a persistent problem in residential aged care (RAC) facilities. Fall screening and assessment tools such as the Peninsula Health Falls Risk Assessment Tool (PHFRAT) are widely used to inform falls risk and guide fall prevention interventions. However, it is unclear how it is used in practice and whether clinicians believe it supports resident care.

Hospital readmission after surviving sepsis: A systematic review of readmission reasons and meta-analysis of readmission rates.

Purpose: To review the evidence regarding hospital readmission diagnoses and analyse related readmission rates following a sepsis admission.

Methods: Five databases, grey literature, and selected article reference lists were searched in May and June 2024. Included studies investigated sepsis survivor readmissions and reported readmission diagnoses and rates.

Protocol for the co-design of an online support service for adults with hearing loss.

Introduction: Untreated hearing loss is reported to negatively impact on an individual's quality of life, affecting their psychological and physical health and placing them at greater risk of developing dementia. Despite this, hearing loss management is often delayed by up to a decade. This is likely due to difficulties in navigating the hearing care pathway, and the absence of a central, unbiased reference point for consumer-friendly hearing health information and resources.

Understanding Workflow Nuances That Affect the Use of a Laboratory Test Ordering Support Tool.

The "Emergency Department Pathology Order Support Tool" (ED-POST) is an electronic laboratory test ordering decision support tool that aims to decrease variation in test ordering practices. As part of a larger project on the co-design, development, and evaluation of ED-POST, this study aimed to explore the workflow nuances that might affect the intended use of the digital decision support tool. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 ED clinicians involved in the laboratory test ordering process across the development and evaluation phases of ED-POST.

Longitudinal study of the manifestations and mechanisms of technology-related prescribing errors in pediatrics.

Objectives: To examine changes in technology-related errors (TREs), their manifestations and underlying mechanisms at 3 time points after the implementation of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) in an electronic health record; and evaluate the clinical decision support (CDS) available to mitigate the TREs at 5-years post-CPOE.

Materials And Methods: Prescribing errors (n = 1315) of moderate, major, or serious potential harm identified through review of 35 322 orders at 3 time points (immediately, 1-year, and 4-years post-CPOE) were assessed to identify TREs at a tertiary pediatric hospital. TREs were coded using the Technology-Related Error Mechanism classification.

Communication during telemedicine consultations in general practice: perspectives from general practitioners and their patients.

Background: Telemedicine allows delivery of healthcare to occur between parties that are not in the same location. As telemedicine users are not co-present, effective communication methods are crucial to the delivery and reception of information. The aim of this study was to explore perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) and patients on the interactional components of telemedicine consultations.

A Real-Time Dashboard Approach to Decision Support: An Exercise in Co-Design.

Laboratory tests play an integral role in the delivery of quality health care. However, evidence indicates variations in diagnostic testing, which can lead to patient safety risks. Electronic decision support systems are often identified as key to reducing diagnostic error.

A Work-Sampling Approach for Assessing Adequate Availability of Computers on Hospital Wards.

A key barrier to the use of health information technology on hospital wards is an insufficient number of computers to support clinical information system access. This paper reports on the development and pilot testing of a novel approach, based on work-sampling principles, for assessing adequate availability of computers.

Vitamin D supplementation and falls in residential aged care: A longitudinal multisite cohort study.

Background: Vitamin D is vital for musculoskeletal health, and supplementation may lower risk of falls. Past research in residential aged care (RAC) settings on the effects of vitamin D on falls have reported inconclusive findings, partly due to study design limitations. We utilised a longitudinal study design to assess the association between the use of vitamin D and falls over 36 months in RAC.

Total life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy and differences attributable to cigarettes' smoking among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Objectives: Middle-aged and older adults smoking for years are afflicted by smoking-related diseases and functional limitations; however, little is known about the effect of smoking on nonfatal conditions in middle and later life. This study aims to investigate the impact of smoking on both total life expectancy (TLE) and disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) and the variations in such effects by educational level in China.

Methods: Data were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), 2011-2018, with a total sample of 16,859 individuals aged 45 years or older involved in the final analysis.

The intergenerational association of preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Around half of preterm births lack identifiable causes, indicating the need for further investigation to understand preterm birth risk factors. Existing studies on the intergenerational association of preterm birth showed inconsistency in effect size and direction.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review existing studies and provide comprehensive evidence on the intergenerational association of preterm births.