Situation Pressure injuries are considered largely avoidable wounds impacting on the consumer, their family and the health system, costing $983 million per annum in Australia. With an incidence in hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) higher than peer groups, a Wound Care Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) was employed in a metropolitan hospital in 2015 to investigate incidences and initiate improvements. Actions taken Baseline data was collected on pressure injuries, nurses’ knowledge a...

Background The National Asthma Council (NAC)(2006) continues to describe the prevalence of asthma in Australia as a major threat to healthy lifestyles when compared to other countries. One in six Australian children now has an asthma classification. Asthma in Australia is a leading reason for presentation to hospital in the 0-4 age group. Education together with self monitoring, appropriate drug therapy, regular medical review and a written action plan clearly reduces morbidity and mortality...

Background: Paediatric burn injuries from contact with flame, wet or dry agents, are a global problem with high hospital admission and mortality rates. Cooking is a known risk factor, but it is not known if some foods pose a greater risk of burns in children. The aim of this scoping review is to examine published literature to identify if specific foods posed a greater risk of paediatric burns. Methods: A review of articles was undertaken with the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria of a...

Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) are rare uterine malignancies comprising only 0.2% of cases. diagnosis during pregnancy is exceptionally uncommon, with fewer than 10 reported globally. This case describes a 37 year old pregnant woman in whom ESS was incidentally diagnosed during elective caesarean section. It highlights the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic complexities in managing ESS during gestation.

Background: Models of care for managing total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA) incorporating early mobilisation are associated with shorter acute length-of-stay (LOS). Few studies have examined the effect of implementing early mobilisation in isolation, however. This study aimed to determine if an accelerated mobilisation protocol implemented in isolation is associated with a reduced LOS without undermining care. Method: A Before-After (quasi-experimental) study was used. Standard pract...

Background: Total hip and total knee replacement (THR/TKR) are common and effective surgeries to reduce the pain and disability associated with arthritis but are associated with small but significant risks of preventable complications such as surgical site infection (SSI) and venous-thrombo-embolism (VTE). This study aims to determine the degree to which hospital care was compliant with clinical guidelines for the prevention of SSI and VTE after THR/TKR; and whether non-compliant prophylaxis ...

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are associated with high burden and cost and are considered largely preventable following total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA). The risk of developing VTE and SSI is reduced when prophylaxis is compliant with evidence-based clinical guidelines. However, the association between VTE and antibiotic prophylaxis clinical guideline compliance and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after THA/TKA is unknown. This s...

Objective: To create a tailored and structed career pathways for refugees: who are unemployed and have medical skills, experience or an interest in commencing a career in health. To gain entry level skills and practical experience to equip them to commence a career in the health sector. To provide opportunity for candidates to further proceed qualifications. Conclusion: The partners involved in this project are committee to its success, and it is now managed by SWSLHD CEWD for further enhance...

Introduce therapy dogs to Fairfield Hospital to support in enhancing emotional well-being and reducing stress among hospitalised individuals. Conclusion: Although too early for data collection, the effectiveness of Delta Dogs in healthcare settings is supported by anecdotal evidence and empirical research. The benefit includes the ability to complement traditional medical interventions. Animal therapy programs is a simple strategy to enhance the holistic wellbeing of individuals undergoing me...

Aims: To determine if patient's classified as obese could achieve their SMART goals through our adapted hub-and-spoke model utilising our recently established weight management service. Conclusion: despite minimal resources, dedicated FWMS have shown to have a positive impact on patient's health outcomes, specifically pertaining to weight loss. Determining and addressing the barriers faced by patients may be useful, promoting weight loss and sustainable changes in this population.

Current approaches to flexor tendon rehabilitation, with emerging concepts (Manchester protocol). In adults undergoing zone 2 flexor tendon repairs, does the Manchester short splint protocol lead to improved functional outcomes according to Strickland grading at 12 weeks post op compared to our standard active protocol.

Introduction: The aim of this review is to identify, summarise and synthesise available research addressing the perceptions and attitudes of healthcare professionals and patients towards medicinal cannabis. Conclusion: A range of barriers were identified. It is not yet clear how healthcare professionals and patients source information on medical cannabis.

What do our AIN's know? How important is pressure injury prevention to them? Does this need to change? A survey is used to answer these questions.

Aim: Diabetes is an independent risk factor for critical outcomes in patients with COVID-10. Social distancing, restrictions and public safety anxiety had an impact on medical care access of patients. This was concern that diabetes-related presentations to emergency department may have increased in 2020. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the number of presentations amongst patients with diabetes to emergency was similar between the 2 years, but we observed higher rate of hypergycaemia-...

We regret that the presenting author was inadvertently listed as first author. Please see the updated author list, ordered by author contribution/convention:

Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the Australian population. Evidence recommends that all appropriate cardiac patients are referred to Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) Services. The NHMRC and HFA state that CR can reduce readmission by 56% and death by 30% within the first year following a cardiac event. ACRA (2014) recommend that CR services collect and report on clinical data and key performance indicators for quality improvement and benchmarking. Methods A re...

Background: The clinical applications of High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) are well established in the operating theatres. Objective: The objective was to study the impact of using HFNC in a Non-Operating Room Anesthetic (NORA) setting. Methods: This was a retrospective and prospective observational study looking at two periods (6 months and 5 months respectively in 2017 and 2018) in time-pre and post introduction of HFNC into clinical practice in sedation for gastroscopies, colonoscopies,...

Aunty Roma’s is a grassroots Aboriginal culturally specific fall prevention program, initiated by the Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) at Fairfield Hospital, Katrina Filewood - a proud Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman. Katrina shared her personal lived experience during an ALO education session about her grandmother, known as Aunty Roma, who fell over at home, and didn’t tell anyone about it. Dr Tai – Tak Wan, Medical Director Ambulatory Care, Fairfield Hospital, approached Katrina wanting...

Able and Stable is a fall prevention program developed to reduce the risk of frailty and falls in older people in South Western Sydney Local Health District. It was initiated 15 years ago by Minh Pham, a dedicated physiotherapist at Fairfield Hospital. Minh recognised the pressing need to bridge the gap in supporting frailer at-risk people post discharge. Referral to the program come from various sources, including the hospital emergency department, inpatient acute wards, occupational th...