Blog Feed: BitingTheDust

TweetA couple of posts ago I wrote about the Minister for Families stating she could live on the Newstart allowance. Personally I think she was talking rubbish that she may yet come to regret down the track. I also mentioned the cost of a few things

Be a rural GP on the Isle of Arran. Helicopter provided.

Published on 2013-01-02 04:33:02

TweetA great ad. The start of a Bond Movie and the theme music reminding me of Mission Impossible. All to employ a GP on an island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland in 2013. Are you up for the challenge?

Federal Families Minister Jenny Macklin says she could live on the $35 a day

Published on 2013-01-01 07:43:27

TweetOut bush things cost a little bit more. Some of our groceries cost around 50% higher than cities. ATM fees are $2.50 when you try to access your money and fuel around where I am is $2.30/litre for diesel. The cuts in the single parenting allowan

Why you should follow @IndigenousX – an Indigenous Curated Twitter Account.

Published on 2013-01-01 04:37:00

TweetLuke Pearson set up the IndigenousX account up on Twitter and has a different Indigenous Australian tweet from it each week. He has a big plans for IndigenousX and yesterday (Saturday) on Twitter he said if he could get to 10,000 followers by Th

Huntington’s disease – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 08:20:02

Tweet Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system, caused by an expansion in the trinucleotide CAG in the huntingtin gene. Clinical features of the disease include involuntary choreiform m

Crushing solid oral medicines – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 08:08:02

Tweet There is a 40-50% prevalence of dysphagia among elderly people in residential aged care facilities. Age related, or drug-induced xerostomia may be a cause of difficulty swallowing along with medical conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s dise

Use of LMWH in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 07:59:57

Tweet Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are commonly used in the prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolic (VTE) diseases. However, there is limited evidence to guide the use of LMWH in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. Read the com

Dosing of antibiotics and therapeutic drug monitoring – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 07:49:36

Tweet Aminoglycosides Aminoglycosides exert a post-antibiotic effect: high peak levels are required to penetrate the bacterial cell wall, where the drug continues to have a bactericidal effect after systemic levels have declined. Monitoring is used t

Antibiotics in renal impairment – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 07:40:12

Tweet Confusion surrounds the prescribing of antimicrobials in renal impairment; whether to reduce the dose or extend the dosing interval. Suggested dose adjustments in renal impairment for many commonly used antibiotics are provided here, based on t

Vemurafenib for metastatic melanoma – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 07:31:06

Tweet Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer affecting Australians, accounting for 9.5% of all cancers in this country, with more than 10,300 new cases diagnosed annually. While melanoma is the least common dermatological cancer, it is associated

Calciphylaxis – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 07:24:01

Tweet Calciphylaxis or calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a complex syndrome which causes vascular calcification and skin necrosis. It is characterised by the presence of calcification of the arteries and soft tissues and it causes skin necrosis resul

COPD action plans – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 07:13:52

Tweet Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are periods of worsening COPD symptoms, during which patients experience increased dyspnoea, cough and /or sputum production. Observational studies have shown patients often delay se

Riluzole and motor neurone disorder – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-12-30 07:07:32

Tweet Riluzole is a neuroprotective agent used in the treatment of motor neurone disease. The precise mechanism of action of riluzole is unclear, however evidence supports a reduction in glutamate-induced excitotoxicity by three mechanisms: noncompet

Blog Problems

Published on 2012-12-29 12:58:07

TweetG’day You may have noticed a change in the blog. Unfortunately the blog format I used didn’t like the upgrade in the blog software. Until I can fix it I have switched to the basic wordpress theme which is still … Continue readi

@IndigenousX – an Indigenous Curated Twitter Account

Published on 2012-12-29 12:29:44

Happy New Year from WHO

Published on 2012-12-29 11:01:17

TweetWho knew the World Health Organisation puts out a new year’s message? This short video summarises some of the work and achievements of WHO through 2012. Of interest to me was 100 million meningitis vaccines administered in Africa and India

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-12-21 15:00:17

TweetHere’s the Yabu Band with “Beautiful Girl”

Urgent Medical Recall for Asmol and Ventolin Inhalers

Published on 2012-12-21 04:01:01

Emergency and Retrieval Registrars required for Alice Springs Hospital in 2013

Published on 2012-12-19 15:00:44

TweetIf you are interested in remote health and retrieval medicine think about coming to work in Alice Springs Hospital in 2013 Alice Springs Hospital Emergency and Retrieval Registrars

Is there a risk of infection from antiseptic skin preparations?

Published on 2012-12-19 03:00:41

TweetThe Broome Docs blog has a post up discussing whether povidone iodine or chlorhexidine is the best antiseptic for skin preparation. But should they be used at all with their current manufacturing process? On the 12th December the FDA held …

Bulloo Shire Remote Health Service

Published on 2012-12-18 07:11:26

TweetThargomindah is a small town in Western Queensland I used to pass through regularly as I travelled in and out of Innamincka many years ago. Thargomindah is within the Bulloo Shire. The have recently started their own YouTube channel and …

Remote Pharmacist Job in the Kimberley

Published on 2012-11-29 08:26:36

TweetOccasionally I put up pharmacist wanted job adverts for positions working mainly with Indigenous Australians. Here’s one in the Kimberley. This job described below is at a new site within a remote hospital in the area providing a range of

Aboriginal Literacy Foundation

Published on 2012-11-13 09:56:00

TweetLiteracy is one of my passions. Working in remote Aboriginal Australia improving literacy is essential to fully understand discussions – which are mainly in English – with health staff. The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation states: Lite

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-11-02 16:00:51

TweetOne of my favourite singers after a stroke then having half a lung removed with cancer has released a new album. “Song to Sing”

The chance of a lifetime to save Indigenous languages

Published on 2012-10-15 16:00:36

TweetBy Claire Bowern, Yale University It is not often that the opportunity comes along to make a real difference, but a new report into Indigenous languages in Australia has the potential to do just that. Our Land, Our Languages has already been likened to the momentous Mabo decision. But where Mabo helped change our legal [...]

Can Indigenous education afford to wait for a real response to Gonski?

Published on 2012-10-08 16:00:15

TweetIn my view Indigenous education cannot wait for Gonski. This article by Marie Brennan, Victoria University In all the discussion, media releases, press conferences and TV coverage of this week’s government response to the Gonski review, it was fascinating that the issue of Indigenous education rated such little mention. More than the divisions between private [...]

Ben Goldacre: What doctors don’t know about the drugs they prescribe

Published on 2012-10-05 10:32:11

TweetA 13 minute talk on how little of the negative research on pharmaceuticals – particularly new drugs to market – ever comes to light and the dangers it has for patients.

Fly-in, fly-out heath care fails remote Aboriginal communities

Published on 2012-10-01 16:00:14

TweetI’ve written in the early days of my blog about the effect of fly in – fly out miners on rural and remote communities. This article by Stephen Duckett, La Trobe University looks at the effect of fly in fly out health services. This is a story about two small Aboriginal communities in the Gulf [...]

Katherine West Health Board cultural orientation DVD

Published on 2012-09-30 16:00:12

TweetThe Katherine West health Board have developed a cultural orientation DVD and placed it up on the web Our Story Part 1 Our Story Part 2 Working Together Part 1 Working Together Part 2 Working Together Part 3

Love a Good Truck #8

Published on 2012-09-29 16:00:41

TweetThis is from a few years ago outside Longreach in outback Queensland

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-09-28 16:00:50

TweetThe Tjupi (honey ant) band comes from Papunya in Central Australia. They have just toured the Ngaanyatjarra Lands with most of the communities following along to their three concerts across the lands. Triple J Unearthed has a bit of background on the band. Here they are singing “Wati”

Medications in the lactose intolerant adult – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-28 02:00:26

Tweet Lactose is the carbohydrate naturally found in all kinds of milk, including human milk. It can also be used as an ingredient in some foods and is commonly used as a filler or excipient in pharmaceutical preparations (both tablets and capsules) including prescription, over the counter and complementary medicines. Lactose can also be used [...]

Reducing Indigenous suicide through empowerment and pride

Published on 2012-09-27 16:00:32

TweetThe second article on remote or Indigenous suicide published on The Conversation. article by Diego De Leo, Griffith University We’ve long known that rates of suicide in Indigenous communities are higher than the wider Australian population. But we’re much less clear about why this is the case. Each life lost to suicide reminds us of [...]

Antibiotic resistance – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-27 02:00:04

Tweet The term antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria and other micro-organisms to withstand the effects of an antibiotic to which it was previously sensitive. Consequently, these resistant organisms are not inhibited by antibiotics at the serum/tissue concentrations achievable after normal dosing of the drug. In contrast to other drugs, antibiotics are unique [...]

The Royal Flying Pharmacist? – New Solutions in Rural Health

Published on 2012-09-26 16:00:52

TweetA few years ago Roy came out and spent some time with me as a pharmacy student. Back at James Curtin University he wrote a paper arguing for pharmacists to become part of the team of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Wreck of the Week #70

Published on 2012-09-25 21:00:54

Decline in young male suicide hides rise in remote areas

Published on 2012-09-25 16:00:22

TweetSuicide is more prevalent in remote Australia. The Conversation has run a couple of articles on it through the year. This is the first from 22 June 2012. This article written by Justin Norrie, The Conversation A sharp decline in the overall suicide rate among young Australian men has masked a rise in remote areas [...]

Systemic effects of topical ophthalmic preparations – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-25 02:00:13

Tweet Ophthalmic medications are used for a number of conditions such as glaucoma, infection, allergy and inflammation, often on a chronic basis. Generally the drugs used in this manner have good safety profiles, but they do have the potential to cause significant adverse drug events, and can interact with other systemic medications. The pharmacokinetic profile [...]

Pharmacy Respect

Published on 2012-09-24 16:00:22

Go to school – Dustup

Published on 2012-09-24 03:45:53

Tweet Education is the only thing that will allow you to do whatever you want – Daisy Ward The Ngaanyatjarra Lands Schools annual Desert Dustup is finished for another year. The Indigenous Hip Hop Project participated and produced this tune with the help of the school kids (and others).

Safety alert – check route of administration carefully. RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-24 02:00:47

Tweet A recent incident at one of the campuses of the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network has once again drawn attention to the potential for significant adverse consequences if a medication is administered to a patient via a route other than that which was intended. If a drug intended for oral administration via a nasogastric [...]

Management of Tuberculosis: a Handbook for Clinicians

Published on 2012-09-23 16:00:40

Tweet This updated 135 page handbook has been written by Victorian Infectious Diseases Service (VIDS) clinicians providing an Australian perspective. Some of the topics covered are: Management of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB Latent TB infection; pregnancy and TB; HIV and TB Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections BCG vaccination and BCG installation for bladder cancer. The handbook can [...]

Withdrawal of dextropropoxyphene preparations in Australia – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-23 02:00:50

Tweet Since this bulletin came out in June the withdrawal was challenged by one of the manufacturers. Dextropropoxyphene is an opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. In addition to expected opioid adverse effects, serious adverse drug reactions including hepatic reactions, hallucinations, abuse, withdrawal symptoms and cardiac conduction abnormalities have been reported with [...]

Sydney Pharmacy Indigenous Camp

Published on 2012-09-22 16:00:26

TweetIf you are an Indigenous student in Year 10 or 11 and unsure of what you would like to study at university then this might be worth a look. The University of Sydney is running a pharmacy ‘camp” for Indigenous students to increase the awareness of pharmacy as a profession. Click on the letter below [...]

Apixaban for prevention of VTE – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-22 02:00:45

Tweet Apixaban functions as an oral anticoagulant by inhibiting the clotting factor Xa, resulting in decreased levels of thrombin. Apixaban is one of three orally active anticoagulants now available for subsidised supply in Australia through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement. The others alternative agents are [...]

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-09-21 16:00:24

TweetNokturnl was formed in Alice Springs in 1996. The song is “Same Old Song”

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain – RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-21 00:39:20

Tweet Weight gain is a well recognised adverse effect of atypical antipsychotics. The propensity for weight gain varies between agents, as does the extent of weight gain and the time course over which it occurs. Data from trials involving patients with psychotic illness and clinical experience indicates that weight gain (defined as >7% increase from [...]

The end of the travelling school

Published on 2012-09-20 16:00:38

TweetThe Queensland Government has funded the Queensland School for Travelling Show Children (QSTSC) that have moved around Australia with the carnivals educating the kids of carnival workers through their primary school years. A number of portable classrooms moved around on the back of trucks and set up in the schoolyards of the towns the carnival [...]

Linagliptin – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-20 08:30:45

Tweet Diabetes mellitus is associated with significant morbidity and excess mortality, and for this reason new oral antihyperglycaemic medications attract considerable interest, given the high prevalence of diabetes in Australia and around the world. Linagliptin (Trajenta®), a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, was recently endorsed for subsidised supply under the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in [...]

Fampridine for symptomatic management of MS – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-09-20 07:47:30

Tweet Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disorder that can result in considerable disability for those affected, and also impacting significantly upon their extended supports. Characterised by the inflammation and demyelination of the nerves of the central nervous system, MS results in varying degrees of change in sensory, motor and cognitive function. Although the development [...]

Wreck of the week #69

Published on 2012-09-18 16:00:23

TweetFrom the archives about 2001.

Recent Reading

Published on 2012-09-18 07:56:01

TweetI haven’t been posting much but I have tried to keep up my reading. An article from a 2011 edition of the Australian Prescriber on the prescribing cascade. This is where a new medication is prescribed to cover a side effect of a previously prescribed medication, where this adverse effect is not recognised as a [...]

Wreck of the Week #68

Published on 2012-08-28 17:00:32

Tweet Click on the picture to see the larger image

Love a Good Truck #7

Published on 2012-08-25 18:00:28

TweetOr should this be in Wreck of the Week? It’s not a big truck in size, but it certainly was in spirit. It was one of the vehicles involved in building Len Beadell’s Gunbarrel Highway until it caught fire near where the current community of Kiwirrkurra is situated

Wreck of the Week #67

Published on 2012-08-25 10:08:40

TweetI’ve been a bit slack. This is the first wreck I have posted since April. And it’s not because I had run out of pics. This is slightly singed. Click on the pic for a bigger image.

Dabigatran – Bleeding Risk and Renal Function RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-08-22 04:56:11

Tweet The oral anticoagulant dabigatran (Pradaxa®) is a direct thrombin inhibitor approved in Australia for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery, and for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Dabigatran is primarily renally cleared. Reduced renal clearance increases drug exposure and the elimination halflife, which can cause an exaggerated anticoagulant [...]

Nhulunbuy (Gove) Hospital Pharmacy Manager Required to Cover Maternity Leave

Published on 2012-08-21 07:40:41

TweetYou know I only put up pharmacy job ads for remote areas or working primarily in Indigenous Health. This job fits both criteria. While Kara is off on maternity leave a pharmacist is required to manage the pharmacy of the 32 bed Nhulunbuy Regional Hospital. The job is for nine months and has a P3 [...]

What Sort of Watch Does a Dingo Wear?

Published on 2012-08-20 20:00:54

Tweet A few months ago I decided I needed a watch. What watch would handle remote conditions the best? I put the call out to a bunch of watchnerds on Twitter. The G-Shock seemed to be the best option. AP on her new watch blog thought it worthy of an article and she wanted a [...]

The Life of a Retail Pharmacist

Published on 2012-08-20 07:43:45

Tweetwell it sums up the unsatisfactory part of that job….. (pinched from the Auspharmacist email)

Indigenous Interlude #37

Published on 2012-07-27 12:00:36

Tweet“Yandool” by Stiff Gins sung in the Wiradjuri language

Update on Triptans & Risk of Antidepressant Interactions – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-07-27 10:00:18

Tweet In Australia, there are now five triptans (also known as serotonin 5HT-1 agonists) currently available. These drugs are indicated for the acute relief of migraine. With the exception of naratriptan, the other oral triptans relieve migraine within 30–60 minutes, noting that the same patient may respond quite differently to different triptans. Read the entire [...]

New Position: Bamaga Hospital Pharmacist

Published on 2012-07-15 08:46:40

TweetA new position has been developed for a Senior Pharmacist at Bamaga Hospital at the tip of Cape York Peninsula. Working within the hospital and setting up and monitoring systems around the top of the Cape and working closely with the medical team it looks like a job you can make your own and improve [...]

Shit Whitefellas Say

Published on 2012-06-22 04:52:48

TweetEver heard anyone say anything similar to what is in the video? Produced by the Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company

Labeling Changes for Statin Drugs – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-05-06 20:00:00

Tweet Statins (or HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors) are the most effective class of cholesterol-lowering medications, also significantly reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in those patients at high risk. Between 2004 and 2009, the number of patients diagnosed with high cholesterol has doubled, with statins currently the most prescribed of all drugs, in both [...]

Postural Hypotension – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-05-06 16:00:54

Tweet Postural hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of 20mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 10mmHg within three minutes of standing. Not only is postural hypotension dangerous because of an increased risk of falls, but it is also a risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction. Postural hypotension is commonly experienced [...]

Ticagrelor for Acute Coronary Syndrome – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-05-05 20:00:52

Tweet Ticagrelor is an oral antiplatelet drug that is a reversible, direct-acting inhibitor of the adenosine diphosphate receptor P2Y12: it has a more rapid onset and produces more pronounced platelet inhibition than clopidogrel. Unlike clopidogrel and prasugrel which are prodrugs, ticagrelor does not need to be metabolised to become biologically active. The efficacy of ticagrelor [...]

Bullous Pemphigoid – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-05-05 16:00:03

Tweet Bullous Pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune, blistering disease encountered in the western countries. The prevalence is approximately equally for both genders, and although more common in the elderly this condition can occur in younger adults and children. The clinical presentation involves the appearance of tense blisters on normal-looking or erythematous skin, with [...]

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-05-04 16:00:54

TweetBobby McLeod from Wreck Bay Village, Jervis Bay Territory died May 30 2009 aged 62 years. Here is his song “Wayward Dreams”

Preadmission Clinic Pharmacy Services – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-05-02 21:00:04

Tweet In an effort to reduce the potential for in-hospital drug-related problems, RGH and many other hospitals have established a preadmission clinic (PAC) patients are assessed prior to admission for elective surgery. This approach has now become a routine service at RGH, aiming to provide anaesthetic and surgical assessments of patients prior to surgery. The [...]

Dopamine Dysregulation Syndrome – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-05-02 16:00:22

Tweet Dopaminergic replacement therapies such as laevodopa and dopamine agonists are a mainstay in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. As well as motor symptoms such as motor fluctuations and dyskinesias, dopaminergic drugs can cause behavioural adverse effects such as mood fluctuations, psychosis, and impulse control disorders. Dopamine Dysregulation Syndrome (DDS) is a recently described complication [...]

Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhoea (CDAD) & PPIs – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-04-30 05:00:57

Tweet Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that can cause diarrhoea that does not improve. Symptoms include watery stool, abdominal pain, and fever. Patients may develop electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition and pressure sores. They may go on to develop more serious abdominal conditions. Most people colonised with C difficile remain asymptomatic. Research as demonstrated that the organism [...]

Bevacizumab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-04-30 01:12:56

Tweet Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness and severe visual impairment in adults over the age of 50. Neovascular AMD (nAMD) is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macular which can cause haemorrhage and scarring, leading to severe vision loss. One of the mediators in the pathogenesis [...]

Bisphosphonates for Osteoporosis in Renal Impairment – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-04-30 01:05:03

Tweet The Australian Advisory Committee on the Safety of Medicines (ACSOM) have received few reports of renal impairment/failure with IV pamidronate, or oral bisphosphonates risedronate and alendronate, but a significant number with zoledronic acid (31 from a total of 268 reports) are reported. Deterioration in renal function with IV bisphosphonates due to a rapid infusion [...]

Chronic Kidney Disease Management in General Practice 2nd Edition

Published on 2012-04-28 16:00:26

TweetThe new guidelines for Chronic Disease Management in General Practice (Australia) are now available. They are available as PDF to download or you can order a hard copy.

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-04-27 16:00:11

TweetA haunting song by Kutcha Edwards and The Black Arm Band “Is This What We Deseve?”

World Meningitis Day

Published on 2012-04-27 09:39:58

TweetI’m a bit late with this as it occurred on 24th April. However their video “Meningitis: Two Lives, Two Different Outcomes” may be of interest as it explores the disease, symptoms and treatments that are available. More information on the day can be found here.

Drugs and Diarrhoea – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-04-27 02:00:34

Tweet Diarrhoea is characterised by increased volume, fluidity or frequency of faecal discharges. Acute diarrhoea is commonly infectious and can be viral (e.g. rotavirus, norovirus), bacterial (often causing food poisoning) or parasitic and is usually associated with nausea & vomiting. In some health service jurisdictions, infections with specific organisms are notifiable (e.g. salmonella). The issue [...]

Indacaterol for COPD – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-04-26 07:23:38

Tweet Indacaterol is an ultra-long-acting β-2 adrenergic agonist which can be administered once daily for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In Australia, indacaterol has recently been listed for subsidized supply under the auspices of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (for this indication only). The pharmacological effects of β-2 adrenoreceptor agonists can be partly [...]

Wreck of the Week

Published on 2012-04-24 16:00:00

TweetClickity click 66. Here’s the 66th remote desert wreck of the week with plenty more to come

Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Closing the Gap Speech to Parliament 2012

Published on 2012-04-23 21:00:09

TweetIt’s been a few months but in case you missed it here is the Prime Minister’s Closing the Gap speech delivered to Parliament on 9th February 2012. Following that is a copy of the report. 2011 Closing the Gap

Changes to Recommended Citalopram Dose & QT Prolongation – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-04-23 08:55:38

Tweet Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for major depression. Previously, the usual dose was 20 mg daily, gradually increasing after 2-4 weeks, if necessary, up to 60 mg once daily. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently followed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendation to limit the maximum daily [...]

Update on the Beers Criteria – RGH E-Bulletin

Published on 2012-04-23 04:54:38

Tweet Avoiding the use of high-risk and inappropriate drugs is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce medication-related problems in older people. Several methods have been developed to help identify potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in elderly populations. These can be either criteria-based (explicit) or patient specific (implicit). The Beers criteria, first published in 1991, [...]

Kungkaku Yungupalaku Healthy Relationships Project – a Improving Sexual Health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Demonstration Project

Published on 2012-02-24 10:37:24

TweetThese stories were developed and mostly filmed, animated by young people in Warburton and Warakurna. They have identified ways of health seeking, appropriate services, supporting each other, problem solving and identity through these stories. Young people really engaged and enjoyed the workshops and processes involved in the development and provided fantastic learning opportunities around problem [...]

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-01-27 15:00:55

Tweet“Outside my Window” by Cindy Hill, Richard Accoom and Malcolm Freeman from Woorabinda

The Strange Power of the Placebo Effect

Published on 2012-01-21 15:00:27

TweetWhen I first started pharmacy there would be the little old lady who would come in for that special pick-me-up we made specially which would be perhaps an aspirin crushed up in some wonderful pharmaceutical liquid preparation we had made up. And the occasional script would come through written in Latin abbreviations that only we [...]

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-01-20 14:00:00

TweetIt’s the Tjupi Band performing at the 28th Telstra National Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in Darwin in 2011.

Learn CPR from Vinnie Jones while listening to Stayin’ alive

Published on 2012-01-18 15:00:24

TweetJust remember in Australia you call 000 or 112 from a digital mobile phone

Wreck of the Week

Published on 2012-01-17 15:00:37

TweetA little bit more modern than most I have put up on the blog. But it won’t be long before it starts to fade in the sun.

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-01-13 14:00:27

TweetWhile not an Indigenous band, Goanna did have a big hit in the early 80′s with “Solid Rock”, a song about Indigenous land rights LYRICS: Out here nothin’ changes, not in a hurry anyway You feel the endlessness with the comin’ of the light o’ day We’re talkin’ about a chosen place You wouldn’t sell [...]

Wreck of the Week

Published on 2012-01-10 15:00:49

TweetThe old Holden panel van. I suppose you could fashion a joke about a panel van being on its back. As always click on the pic for a bigger image.

From 6 Foxtrot Lima Hotel to ADSL

Published on 2012-01-09 07:15:26

TweetIt wasn’t long ago we had daily scheds to meet to make sure all was ok. Now in this part of the outback not only do we have telephones we even have ADSL.

Indigenous Interlude

Published on 2012-01-06 14:00:28

TweetArchie Roach with a song dedicated to his late wife Ruby Hunter

Pneumovax 23 Final Update

Published on 2012-01-04 10:27:49

TweetFollowing on from the report from the TGA investigation into an apparent cluster of side effects due to Pneumovax 23 the Northern Territory have released their updated adult vaccination protocol for Pneumovax 23. There has been one change to the guidelines. There is no change to the Indigenous schedule. NON-Indigenous adults over 65yrs do not [...]

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