One in 15 emergency department visits in the ACT linked to extreme weather
Extreme heat and cold are pushing thousands of Canberrans into emergency departments each year and experts predict that a warming climate is poised to intensify the strain across the ACT. The Australian National University-led research found that almost 36,000 ED presentations between 2000 and 2021 were linked to heat, representing 1 in 40 (2.5%) of all visits. That number is projected […]
New database to target chronic UTIs
A new database targeting chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) – a long-overlooked condition that may begin in childhood – is set to help researchers uncover why millions of women and girls worldwide suffer from infections that defy treatment and stump microbiologists. A growing body of research suggests that persistent, antibiotic-resistant UTIs may be caused by […]
Wearable wound monitoring device could improve chronic infection care
RMIT University researchers have developed a wearable wound monitoring device with integrated sensors that could reduce infection risks by minimising the need for frequent physical contact. Standard methods require regular removal of wound dressings for assessments, often delaying crucial interventions, whereas this invention monitors healing remotely via a Bluetooth connection. The proof-of-concept device is designed […]
Deadly Outstanding Workforce Leadership (OWL) Research Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives
Evidence-based practice is crucial for ensuring the best patient outcomes, and as Australia’s largest and most diverse health workforce, involved in almost all sectors of healthcare delivery, it is of great importance that nurses and midwives are equipped to apply evidence-based practice. However, nurses and midwives often encounter difficulties in translating research evidence into clinical […]
Nurses and midwives foster parental trust for improving childhood vaccination
New data from the Australian National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance on vaccination coverage reveals a continuing decline in vaccination rates among Australian children and adolescents since the onset COVID-19 pandemic.1 The drop spans a broad range of vaccines including for whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, polio, hepatitis B, multiple strains of […]
Calling operating room nurses: What does your post-pandemic nursing practice look like?
How has your nursing practice changed in the operating room since the COVID-19 pandemic? What are your expectations for the future of perioperative nursing? A nationwide survey conducted by Monash University researchers wants to hear from you. The aim of the research is to explore Australian operating room nurses’ working conditions and nursing practices in […]
Advancing evidence-based practice in healthcare
Despite widespread recognition of the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) and its potential to enhance care quality, patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness, its implementation in routine healthcare settings worldwide remains surprisingly low. JBI,a research institution part of the University of Adelaide, seeks to understand the reasons behind this persistent challenge. Integrating evidence into practice is no […]
Costs of falls in residential care uncovered
Fall-related injuries in aged care account for one-fifth of the cost of a resident’s care, according to new research. The University of Queensland study found that fall-related injuries in residential aged care could be costing the health system $325 million annually. The study found fall injuries accounted for 20% of annual expenditure on an aged […]
New shoulder injury repair technique improves outcomes
A new technique for repairing rotator cuff injuries is delivering better outcomes for people with shoulder pain. University of Adelaide researchers say about 10,000 repairs to the rotator cuff – the group of muscles and tendons that connect the upper arm bone to the shoulder, allowing movement and stabilisation – are completed in Australia each […]
Link between kneecap shape and osteoarthritis
The shape of a person’s kneecap could be an indicator of whether they’re more at risk of developing osteoarthritis, research shows. Yet the reason is not well understood, according to researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), who were left surprised by the findings. The ANU team set out to explore whether kneecap shape may […]