3,198 results match your criteria: "and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute[Affiliation]"

Importance: Rib fractures secondary to blunt thoracic trauma typically result in severe pain that is notoriously difficult to manage. The serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a regional anesthesia technique that provides analgesia to most of the hemithorax; however, SAPB has limited evidence for analgesic benefits in rib fractures.

Objective: To determine whether the addition of an SAPB to protocolized care bundles increases the likelihood of early favorable analgesic outcomes and reduces opioid requirements in patients with rib fractures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Many women are embarrassed to discuss pelvic floor exercises with health professionals during pregnancy; instead they search the internet for information on pelvic floor exercises.

Aims: This project investigated the quality and health literacy demand in terms of readability, understandability and actionability of information available on the internet relating to pelvic floor exercises.

Materials And Methods: An analysis was conducted on 150 websites and 43 videos obtained from three consecutive Google searches relating to pelvic floor exercises.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Post-marketing surveillance of 10,392 herpes zoster vaccines doses in Australia.

Vaccine

May 2024

UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Immunisation against herpes zoster is recommended for adults aged ≥ 50 years. Two vaccines, a live attenuated (ZVL, Zostavax®) and an adjuvant recombinant subunit (HZ/su, Shingrix®), are available in Australia. Immunisation guidelines are shifting their recommendations towards HZ/su because of higher efficacy in preventing herpes zoster and associated complications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Single-session, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) with adjunctive power pulse spray (PPS) only, without thrombectomy, was evaluated for its safety and effectiveness. We performed a single-center, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Methods: Patients with high-risk or intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) who met the inclusion criteria and underwent a single session of CDT-PPS were included in the study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of different dosimeters and the treatment planning system (TPS) for assessing the skin dose due to the electron streaming effect (ESE) on a 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR)-linac.

Method: Skin dose due to the ESE on an MR-linac (Unity, Elekta) was investigated using a solid water phantom rotated 45° in the x-y plane (IEC61217) and centered at the isocenter.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ex vivo therapeutic screening of metastatic cSCC: A review of methodological considerations for clinical implementation.

Exp Dermatol

April 2024

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common malignancy worldwide, with most deaths caused by locally advanced and metastatic disease. Treatment of resectable metastases is typically limited to invasive surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy; however, many patients fail to respond and there is minimal data to predict response or propose effective alternatives. Precision medicine could improve this, though genomic biomarkers remain elusive in the high mutational background and genomic complexity of cSCC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Optimal omega-3 status, influenced by increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is vital for physiological health. This study investigated the impact of ad libitum fish oil supplementation on the omega-3 status of female athletes in a professional rugby league team during a competitive season. Twenty-four (n = 24) athletes participated, and their omega-3 status was assessed using the Omega-3 Index (O3I) and arachidonic acid (AA) to EPA ratio through finger-prick blood samples taken at the start and end of the season.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Federated Learning Survival Model and Potential Radiotherapy Decision Support Impact Assessment for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Using Real-World Data.

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol)

July 2024

South Western Sydney Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia; South Western Sydney Cancer Services, NSW Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Aims: The objective of this study was to develop a two-year overall survival model for inoperable stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using routine radiation oncology data over a federated (distributed) learning network and evaluate the potential of decision support for curative versus palliative radiotherapy.

Methods: A federated infrastructure of data extraction, de-identification, standardisation, image analysis, and modelling was installed for seven clinics to obtain clinical and imaging features and survival information for patients treated in 2011-2019. A logistic regression model was trained for the 2011-2016 curative patient cohort and validated for the 2017-2019 cohort.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The effect of the KNEE program for Netball players on the modified Star Excursion Balance Test - a randomized controlled trial.

Phys Ther Sport

May 2024

Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine and Illawarra Medical and Health Research Institute, The University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: The aim was to investigate the effect of the KNEE program on postural control as measured by the modified Star Excursion Balance test (mSEBT) in Australian club level netball players.

Methods: Two netball teams from Netball NSW Premier-League were recruited and randomized to complete either the KNEE program or a traditional warm-up. Cumulative, anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the mSEBT were measured for both limbs at baseline, 8-weeks, and 5-months.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In 1990, the United States' Institute of Medicine promoted the principles of outcomes monitoring in the alcohol and other drugs treatment field to improve the evidence synthesis and quality of research. While various national outcome measures have been developed and employed, no global consensus on standard measurement has been agreed for addiction. It is thus timely to build an international consensus.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: An important impediment to the large-scale adoption of evidence-based school nutrition interventions is the lack of evidence on effective strategies to implement them. This paper describes the protocol for a "Collaborative Network Trial" to support the simultaneous testing of different strategies undertaken by New South Wales Local Health Districts to facilitate the adoption of an effective school-based healthy lunchbox program ('SWAP IT'). The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of different implementation strategies to increase school adoption of the SWAP across New South Wales Local Health Districts.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Impact of comorbidities in severely injured patients with blunt chest injury: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Injury

June 2024

Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, Australia; Emergency Services, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, NSW, Australia.

Introduction: Blunt chest injuries result in up to 10 % of major trauma admissions. Comorbidities can complicate recovery and increase the mortality rate in this patient cohort. A better understanding of the association between comorbidities and patient outcomes will facilitate enhanced models of care for particularly vulnerable groups of patients, such as older adults.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Providing individualised healthcare in line with patient wishes is a particular challenge for emergency healthcare professionals. Documentation of patient wishes (DPW), e.g.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

COVID-19 lockdowns affected birthing outcomes in a regional New South Wales Health District.

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol

October 2024

Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Introduction: The 400 000 residents of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) experienced two distinct lockdowns aimed at mitigating the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Analysing effects of these lockdowns on maternal and neonatal outcomes presents a valuable opportunity to assess the impact of pandemic-level restrictions on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Aim: Evaluate the impacts of restrictions from two lockdown periods on maternal, birthing, and neonatal outcomes within a regional local health district.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Early gastric and oesophageal perforations are rare following laparoscopic fundoplications, with an incidence of 0.9%. If managed operatively, omentopexy or redo-fundoplication may be employed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Families affected by another's substance use, including methamphetamine, experience harms to their mental and physical health. Yet, research has paid little attention to support and service needs of this population. This pilot study examines the feasibility and outcomes of SMART Family and Friends, a video-conference-delivered mutual-support group targeting families affected by another's methamphetamine use.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Dietary Intakes of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Impulsivity: Comparing Non-Restricted, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets.

Nutrients

March 2024

School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Lipid Research Centre, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.

Background: Research suggests a link between deficiencies in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and impulsivity among psychiatric populations. However, this association is less evident in non-clinical populations. As omega-3 LCPUFAs are predominantly sourced through fish consumption, non-fish dieters may be more vulnerable to higher impulsivity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Designing a standardised emergency nurse career pathway for use across rural, regional and metropolitan New South Wales, Australia: A consensus process.

Australas Emerg Care

September 2024

Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mallet St, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery and Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Experience in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research - Eastern Health Partnership, Box Hill, VIC, Australia.

Article Synopsis
  • Emergency nurses are super important in hospitals because they are the first ones to help patients in the emergency department (ED).
  • To make sure they provide the best care, a special career pathway was created for nurses in different areas of New South Wales in Australia.
  • This pathway includes 180 hours of training, helping nurses improve their skills and become experts over time, making emergency care safer and more effective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Using an under-utilised rural hospital to reduce surgical waiting lists.

Aust Health Rev

June 2024

Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Keiraville, NSW 2522, Australia; and Department of Surgery, Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Scenic Drive, Nowra, NSW 2541, Australia.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate patient outcomes from a 12-month pilot program establishing specialist surgical services in a small rural (Modified Monash Model, MM4) hospital on the south coast of NSW. Methods Suitable patients for ambulatory surgery were selected based on strict anaesthetic, surgical and social criteria. Skills shortfalls among nursing staff, usually with emergency or inpatient experience, were addressed by appropriate re-training and in-service training in scrub, scout and anaesthetic duties.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantation treats leukaemia by inducing graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) immunity. However, this benefit is often mitigated by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is reduced by post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) alone or combined with tocilizumab (TOC) in humanised mice. This study established a preclinical humanised mouse model of GVL and investigated whether PTCy alone or combined with TOC impacts GVL immunity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In this study we compare results obtained when applying the monozygotic twin difference cross-lagged panel model (MZD-CLPM) and a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) to the same data. Each of these models is designed to strengthen researchers' ability to draw causal inference from cross-lagged associations. We explore differences and similarities in how each model does this, and in the results each model produces.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a widely used psychiatric treatment; however, it remains contentious. It is therefore important that people are provided with accurate and balanced information before consenting to ECT. The aim of this study was to audit and analyse the content and language of ECT information sheets used in local health districts (LHDs) across the state of New South Wales Australia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: In older people undergoing surgery, there is a lower tolerance for complications. This highlights the need for documented clinical practices on proper prevention, pre-screening and management of complications such as postoperative delirium (POD). Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines exist for delirium management; however, the management of delirium in clinical settings differs widely.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF