Medication Error Reporting Doesn't Indicate Patient Safety

Hospitals' incident data may have significant shortcomings, especially as a basis for monitoring safety over time and between sites, a comparative study at two Australian hospitals has found.

Revised Immunisation Guidelines Released by PSA

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has released it's revised Practice guidelines for the provision of immunisation services within pharmacy to assist pharmacists in providing vaccinations to increase immunisation rates in the community.

Fifth National Report of ANZASM Released

The Fifth National Report of the Australian and New Zealand Audits of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM) has been released by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).

Tributes flow for Gough Whitlam

The announcement of Mr Whitlam's death was made by his family in a statement. Antony, Nicholas and Stephen Whitlam and Catherine Dovey – said he was “a loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians.”

Standard 3: Preventing and controlling ?healthcare associated infections

At least half of healthcare associated infections are thought to be preventable. Data from Australia and overseas show that the rate of healthcare associated infections is reduced when specific interventions are put in place and maintained. These interventions also reduce the risk of developing resistant infectious agents and control the spread of healthcare associated infections to other people, such as patients and healthcare professionals.

Preventing falls in high risk groups - An evidence update

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria on the Rise Across Australia

A national study led by University of Adelaide researchers has confirmed that antibiotic resistant strains of disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, are steadily on the rise in Australia.

Pharmacists Welcome Extension of Qld Immunisation Trial

The success of the pharmacist-delivered flu immunisation trial in Queensland has led to the Queensland Government extending the pilot to cover other vaccinations including measles and whooping cough for adults.

Royal College of Pathologists Opposes In-store Health Checks

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has joined the AMA and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in opposing the trial of in-store health checks being made available at select Woolworths' stores across NSW and QLD.

Sustainable perioperative practices - Reducing, reusing or recycling

Dr Pat Nicholson PhD, RN, RM, has been involved in perioperative nursing for more than 30 years. Dr Nicholson discusses the evidence behind reducing, reusing or recycling in the perioperative setting.

1000th Nursing Practitioner Endorsed in Australia

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has welcomed the endorsement of Australia’s 1000th Nurse Practitioner.

Study reveals gaps in wound care knowledge

The Wound Management Innovation Cooperative Research Centre aims to improve wound healing through the adoption of best practice. Research shows there is room for improvement, writes project manager Karen Innes-Walker.

Pharmacy Cannot Grow As An Isolated Profession

As we come to the end of another busy year, it is a good time to reflect on what I see as some of the key elements for the pharmacy profession as we move forward, writes Grant Kardachi.

Endoscopes - The neglected workhorse of key-hole surgery

The chances are you have already had the experience of an endoscopic procedure. The most commonly reported procedure group for the private sector in 2007-2008 was procedures on the digestive system (673,000), with 87.9% of these being for fibreoptic colonoscopy, panendoscopy with excision and fibreoptic colonoscopy with excision. Other commonly reported procedures across both sectors were diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy (626,000 separations).