Vol 135 No 1554: 6 May 2022

Trauma, COVID-19 and healthcare investment

Just over two years have passed since the first cases of COVID-19 were recognised in New Zealand. In that time, there have been a range of restrictions and lockdowns during which individuals’ ability to travel and engage in a range of work-related and personal activities have been severely constrained.

Deactivation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators towards the end of life: a survey of perceptions and practice among New Zealand clinicians

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator devices (ICDs) have been shown to reduce the risk of sudden death from arrhythmia in primary and secondary prevention settings.

The changing use of anticoagulants in New Zealand

Since the introduction of warfarin over 50 years ago, the indications for anticoagulants have changed considerably. For many years warfarin has been the standard treatment for venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus, and it has been used to prevent thrombosis in people with mechanical heart valves.

An exploration of Aotearoa New Zealanders' attitudes and perceptions on the use of posthumous healthcare data | OPEN ACCESS

Digitised posthumous healthcare records, referred to here as posthumous healthcare data (PHCD), are the digitised healthcare records of those persons who have died, and they constitute an ever-growing collection whose potential use and utility are little explored. If these data are not erased or destroyed, they will become the largest repository of digitised healthcare information.

Establishing a database of patients with diabetes and an interest in research participation

Patient involvement in research and medical student training is increasingly recognised as the cornerstone of effective treatment regimens and healthcare service delivery.

The Southern Health system’s Community Health Council: establishment and processes to engage with communities, whānau and patients | OPEN ACCESS

This paper aims to: describe steps taken to establish both Southern Health system’s CHC and a related group of CHC advisors; discuss processes developed to support the CHC, CHC Advisors and staff; and reflect on the engagement activities, what has worked well, and opportunities for future development.

Lockdown Level 4 V2.0: different trauma patterns in Auckland in 2021? | OPEN ACCESS

A decline in trauma admissions during the 2020 lockdown has been reported in several studies in New Zealand and internationally.

Effectiveness of a preschool asthma education programme, compared to usual care, on the frequency of acute asthma events: a community-based cluster randomised trial

In 2001 and 2003, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) found that young children in New Zealand had some of the world’s highest prevalence of asthma symptoms, with reported asthma in 30% of children aged 6–7 years and current wheeze in 22%.

Challenging the culture of Emergency Department violence and aggression

Risks for staff exposed to workplace violence extend beyond the immediate physical and psychological impact. Exposure to occupational violence has the potential to initiate, contribute to, or exacerbate emotional exhaustion, excessive drinking, moral distress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Measuring drug harm in New Zealand: a stocktake of current data sources

The harm resulting from a drug is complex, can be acute or chronic, and depends upon factors including pharmacological properties, purity, the population who use it, consumption patterns, context of use and administration practices, and policy/regulatory settings. Minimising this harm forms the current overarching goal for New Zealand drug policy; to minimise alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related harm and promote and protect health and wellbeing.

Re-imagining anti-racist theory for the health sector

Racism in the health sector has been linked to increased health risk factors, poorer mental and physical health outcomes, increased co-morbidities and premature death.

Epidemiology of dog-related injuries within New Zealand

Dog bites and other dog-related injuries (DRIs) are an ongoing cause of morbidity internationally and in New Zealand, with subsequent serious physical and psychological consequences for the victims.

Not the cause, for the cause: inflammatory bowel disease caused by etanercept

Anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) therapy are effective treatments for various immune-driven conditions. Etanercept, an anti-TNF-α commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other rheumatology and dermatology conditions, may be associated with an increased risk of new-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Establishing an acute admission unit for older people at a New Zealand hospital

A four-bed admission unit for older people was introduced at Dunedin Hospital in June 2019, named OPAL (Older Person’s Assessment & Liaison). This number of beds was chosen for practical reasons, rather than modelling of demand.

Symptoms associated with colorectal cancer in patients referred to secondary care

The recent introduction of population-based screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) in New Zealand has placed an additional demand on already scarce colonoscopy resources, in some circumstances leading to delays in investigation for the presence/absence of CRC.

General Practitioners in leadership and governance

Stolarek et al’s editorial on leadership and governance[[1]] applies the Cynefin framework of complex systems to health provision and governance.

Response to Letter: General Practitioners in leadership and governance

An Adequate Medical Service [extract]

It is generally recognised that the standard of medical practitioners and of nurses in New Zealand is a high one. This standard is likely maintained by the Registration Acts administered by the Medical Board. In the future, with the great increase of medical students at the Otago Medical School, this Dominion is likely to rely for its supply of doctors mainly on this school.