Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia with almost 2 million people living with the condition. Diabetes is one of the 10 leading causes of death. The Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme (CWCS) consists of a range of measures to improve outcomes for persons with a chronic wound and diabetes access to more affordable wound care. The CWCS aligns with the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
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Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant health issue for women in Australia. Up to 38% of Australian women experience urinary incontinence, which requires regular use of incontinence products and medical interventions. This condition is particularly prevalent among older women, with studies showing that nearly half of women over 70 years old suffer from UI.
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The term steriliser applies to a wide range of devices used to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, from surfaces, instruments, or other items. Industrial sterilisers in the medical industry are called autoclaves and they are quicker and better at cleaning instruments and the process is more controlled.
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Earwax, or cerumen, is produced naturally and helps protect the ear canal from bacteria and foreign particles, like dirt and dust. Normally, earwax dries up and naturally falls out from there. If there is excess wax that is causing discomfort or hearing problems, patients should consult a doctor rather than trying to remove it themselves.
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What trends are sterilisation manufacturers seeing in the industry this year and what recent changes have been made the Australian Standards for Reprocessing? AS 5369:2023 sets out guidelines and best practices to ensure the effective and safe management of reusable medical devices throughout their lifecycle, from reprocessing to how it is moved, stored and handled.
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Dressing selection can be overwhelming and it’s no wonder with thousands of different dressings available. It’s important that you know the types of dressings available, when and when not to use them, and how to use them effectively. Fortunately, like medications, dressings typically fall into generic categories or classes.
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RACGP clinical guidelines state that basic investigations into urinary incontinence should include a portable bladder scan. It is estimated that 3 out of every 4 Australians who are in supported living situations have severe incontinence and 87% of people considering aged care list incontinence as a deciding factor.
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Historically, topical zinc has been used in the treatment of wounds for over 3,000 years. Roughly one-fifth of our total zinc content is found within our skin and it plays an important role in the body in our immune system, antibody production, cell structure and integrity, tissue maintenance, and wound healing. So, it makes sense that if we are deficient in zinc, wound healing could be compromised.
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Maintaining personal hygiene is an essential component of care provision and directly impacts on skin health and a person’s comfort and wellbeing. Personal hygiene includes care of the skin, hair, nails, mouth, eyes, ears and nose, perineal region, and facial shaving.
There are many factors that can have a negative impact on skin health.
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The Australian Government estimates about 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste makes its way into the marine environment each year with estimates that there is 30 times as much plastic at the bottom of the ocean than on the surface. In 2021 Australian Environment Ministers agreed to phase out single-use plastics by 2025.
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Groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements have propelled medicine into new realms, offering hope, efficiency, and improved outcomes for patients across the world. From gene editing and 3D-printed organs to AI-guided treatments and nanotechnology, check out the amazing technological advances continuing in the year 2024.
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Skin tears are a prevalent issue among elderly residents in aged care facilities, often leading to significant discomfort and pain. This study delves into the successful implementation in a high-care dementia unit, emphasizing the replacement of conventional showers with HiCare™ bath cloths.
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Electrosurgical units are a versatile tool used in dermatology, pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology, plastic surgery, ENT, OB-GYN, and other medical specialties where precise tissue manipulation and control are needed. When choosing an ESU that is right for your facility, clinic or practice consider all the surgery types you will be using it for.
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By performing CPR with an automated external defibrillator (AED) the chances of saving the patient are above 50%. When the RACGP released its latest set of accreditation benchmarks earlier in 2023, Standard 5 included clear guidelines for resuscitation equipment requirements.
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Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) is a significant but largely preventable problem. The management and prevention of IAD consists of assessment and management of incontinence and adopting a structured skin care routine.
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Vital signs spot monitors, such as the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Vital Signs Monitor, offer a wide range of benefits in clinical settings. By combining several vital sign devices into one efficient machine, patients are supported in many ways.
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Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) and Pressure Injuries (PIs) are frequently occurring but largely preventable skin injuries. Many clinicians find it difficult to recognise the difference between IAD and PIs resulting in misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
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For thousands of years physicians, professors, innovators and a wide array of contributors have been constantly developing better ways to examine and learn more about the throat. There have been many ideas and devices over the last two centuries. In this century, we now have video laryngoscopes that take viewing, recording, and diagnosing problems to new levels.
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In January, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners supplied a pre-budget submission to the Federal Government calling for a massive investment in healthcare. The Australian Government took on board the suggestions from RACGP just in time to help strengthen what many medical professionals were calling a healthcare system in crisis.
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After a challenging few years for the Aged Care sector in Australia, the 2023-24 Federal Budget offers the hope of some reprieve with over $36 billion being allocated to supporting the industry. The BIG news from this budget is the massive $11.3 billion in funding for staff pay increases of 15% for more than 250,000 Australian aged care staff.
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The Australian Government has announced they will be investing $220 Million dollars in grants for GPs over the next two years. The intention of the program is to contribute funding to GPs to help increase quality primary care and make it more accessible for patients.
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The chill in the air this Easter gave us a good reminder that Winter is not too far away, and this year’s flu season is nearly here. While there has been some noise in the media recently about the possible severity and early onset of this year’s flu season, here are the facts.
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Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. It is now estimated that 2 out of every 3 Australians will get some form of skin cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Early detection starts with a good dermatoscope.
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Goodbye to 2022, and hello to 2023! While we take a little bit of time to reflect on the last 12 months and see what worked and what our customers enjoyed, we also peer into the future, thinking of ways to enhance our levels of customer service and increase our support of the medical industry in Australia.
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