Critical laboratory results after dark
Medical laboratories routinely communicate ‘critical’ results, which may signify an immediate threat to life or health, directly to the requesting clinician as soon as analysis is complete. Read More...
Clinical Articles
ERCP: The Good, Bad and Ugly
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has evolved from a diagnostic tool to an almost exclusively therapeutic procedure. ERCP is performed with a side-viewing duodenoscope that allows identification of the major papilla. The bile duct is cannulated under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance (image 1) and a variety of catheters, balloons, baskets, guidewires, and stents are used for therapeutic interventions (image 2). Read More...
Varicella zoster and pneumococcal vaccine counselling in elderly patients
Pneumococcal disease and herpes zoster represents considerable health burden both in Australia and globally accounting for 25% and 7% of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) of vaccine preventable disease burden. Between 1997 and 2016, pneumococcal disease resulted in 622 deaths and 2434 hospitalisations. Read More...
Adrenal incidentaloma – practical steps in management
Adrenal incidentalomas are adrenal lesions greater than or equal to 1cm identified serendipitously on imaging performed for unrelated indications. The widespread use of cross-sectional imaging has highlighted this entity. Read More...
Music for dementia: Current evidence, future direction
In the past two years, dementia has been the major cause of death in Australia (7,519 deaths: January to July 2021), passing ischemic heart disease (6,703 deaths for the same period) as the historically primary cause of death in previous decades. Read More...
The role of exercise in mental health
The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” Read More...
Culture creates a winning team at Mount
It says much about the inclusive culture of Mount Hospital that one of its most senior and revered members of staff, specialist cardiac anaesthetist Dr Stephen Same, is entrusted to speak on behalf of his colleagues and the organisation. Read More...
Supporting the elderly to access 21st century care
Technology is revolutionising health care delivery. But in the rush to deliver services better and faster, some patients, especially elderly patients, can get left behind. Read More...