Vol 134 No 1547: 17 December 2021

The urgent need for an equitable COVID-19 paediatric vaccine roll-out to protect tamariki Māori | OPEN ACCESS

In this editorial, we argue for a vaccination programme for all New Zealand children to be rolled-out as soon as possible after regulatory approval, and that the design of the paediatric vaccine roll-out should be underpinned by equity to uphold the Crown’s obligations to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

A broken neck: outcomes from conservative management of C2 fractures in older adults

Cervical fractures can occur in patients of any age. However, in older adults the force required to cause these injuries may be much less than in younger patients.

Clinical outcomes of campylobacteriosis: a case series analysis of hospitalisations associated with the Havelock North Campylobacter outbreak

In developed countries, Campylobacter remains the leading cause of culture-confirmed bacterial gastroenteritis, and although campylobacteriosis is a self-limiting illness for most, serious complications, including haemorrhagic colitis and bacteraemia, are known to occur.

Patient perspectives on the use of health information

The digitalisation of health services around the world has made patient health information more accessible for secondary uses.

Ethnic variation in the trends of new implantable cardioverter defibrillator implants in New Zealand 2005–2019 (ANZACS-QI 63)

Variation in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implant rates by ethnic groups have been identified in the United States and the United Kingdom, with African American and South Asian patients being less likely to receive an ICD compared to White patients.

An audit of nurses using standing order directives to administer medications to children at risk of contracting rheumatic fever

Using standing order directives could be considered as elementary nurse prescribing. This topic has been under the spotlight in New Zealand since 2016, when the country’s nursing regulatory body announced changes that allow registered nurses (RN) to prescribe from a formulary of subsidised medications.

The Choosing Wisely campaign and shared decision-making with Māori

Choosing Wisely's aims are to improve clinical outcomes by reducing low-value and inappropriate clinical interventions and to promote well-informed conversations about treatment options between patients and health professionals to improve decision-making.

Repeated laparoscopies for pelvic pain: doing the same thing over and expecting a different outcome?

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) afflicts around one in four New Zealand women and is commonly attributed to endometriosis, despite around half of those women affected not having demonstrable lesions.

Is not fasting before cardiac catheterisation better than fasting? A systematic integrative literature review

Historically, patients undergoing coronary angiography and angioplasty have been required to fast in preparation for this procedure. However, scholars have questioned the evidence base for this practice, with some centres changing guidelines to remove fasting altogether.

Validation of a molecular assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 in saliva | OPEN ACCESS

The aim of the study was to validate the UIUC RT-qPCR protocol for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva in two independent New Zealand laboratories by comparing our results to those measured at the UIUC laboratory (USA).

The assessment of competency and coercion in the End of Life Choice Act 2019

For doctors, the matter of medically assisted dying may raise many conflicts: the duty to preserve life yet the duty to relieve suffering, the duty to respect patient autonomy yet the duty to do no harm.

What are the long-term outcomes for New Zealand survivors of critical illness?

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn considerable attention to the survival journey and recovery of patients post critical illness.

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome in type 1 diabetes: sheep in a wolf’s clothing?

This case series will hopefully raise awareness about CHS among clinicians who frequently assess patients with type 1 diabetes presenting with cyclical vomiting and DKA.

Psychedelic and related medicines at the end of life

The Assisted Dying Service reflects the implementation last month of the End of Life Choice Act (EoLCA) 2019 and marks a turning point for medical practice in New Zealand.

Supplies of Sera and Vaccines

With the exception of such vaccines, e.g., influenza vaccine and autogenous vaccines, as are manufactured by the various Government Bacteriologists and can be obtained therefrom, the Department of Health has arranged to undertake the agency for New Zealand of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, whose product it has been carrying and distributing through the Hospital Boards for some time past.

Erratum

Abstracts for the 259th Otago Medical School Research Society PhD Speaker Awards, Wednesday 22 September 2021

Abstracts for the 260th Otago Medical School Research Society Masters/Honours Speakers Awards, Wednesday 3 November 2021