scholarly journals Complete Genome of the Human Norovirus GIV.1 Strain Lake Macquarie Virus

2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (18) ◽  
pp. 10251-10252 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Sebastian Eden ◽  
Kun Lee Lim ◽  
Peter A. White
Keyword(s):  
Acute Gastroenteritis ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
New South ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Human Pathogen ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Hunter Region

Norovirus is an important human pathogen that is now recognized as the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis globally. Six viral genogroups have been described, although only genogroups GI, GII, and GIV are known to infect humans, with the GII viruses most commonly identified in both outbreak and sporadic settings. In contrast, infections by GIV viruses are rarely reported, and their overall prevalence in the community is unknown. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the human GIV.1 strain Lake Macquarie virus, which caused two linked outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in aged-care facilities in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. The Lake Macquarie virus genome was 7,527 nucleotides (nt) in length and shared highest identity (70%) with the recently completed feline GIV.2 virus genome.

scholarly journals Dementia and intentional and unintentional poisoning in older people: a 10 year review of hospitalization records in New South Wales, Australia – CORRIGENDUM

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 2101-2101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Mitchell ◽  
Lara A. Harvey ◽  
Henry Brodaty ◽  
Brian Draper ◽  
Jacqueline C. T. Close
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Older People ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Typographical Error ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities

The authors would like to apologise for a typographical error in the abstract of the above mentioned article.In the results section of the abstract on the first page of the article, the first odds ratio that refers to ‘aged care facilities’ should be (OR 5.44; 95% CI 4.43–6.67) and the second odds ratio that refers to health service facilities should be (OR 4.56; 95%CI 4.06–5.13).

scholarly journals A multi-organisation aged care emergency service for acute care management of older residents in aged care facilities

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Conway ◽  
Sophie Dilworth ◽  
Carolyn Hullick ◽  
Jacqueline Hewitt ◽  
Catherine Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Local Health ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities

This case study describes a multi-organisation aged care emergency (ACE) service. The service was designed to enable point-of-care assessment and management for older people in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Design of the ACE service involved consultation and engagement of multiple key stakeholders. The ACE service was implemented in a large geographical region of a single Medicare Local (ML) in New South Wales, Australia. The service was developed over several phases. A case control pilot evaluation of one emergency department (ED) and four RACFs revealed a 16% reduction in presentations to the ED as well as reductions in admission to the hospital following ED presentation. Following initial pilot work, the ACE service transitioned across another five EDs and 85 RACFs in the local health district. The service has now been implemented in a further 10 sites (six metropolitan and four rural EDs) across New South Wales. Ongoing evaluation of the implementation continues to show positive outcomes. The ACE service offers a model shown to reduce ED presentations and admissions from RACFs, and provide quality care with a focus on the needs of the older person.

More action needed: Psychotropic prescribing in Australian residential aged care

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita Westbury ◽  
Peter Gee ◽  
Tristan Ling ◽  
Alex Kitsos ◽  
Gregory Peterson
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Aged Care Facility ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facility ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Objective: For at least two decades, concerns have been raised about inappropriate psychotropic prescribing in Australian residential aged care facilities, due to their modest therapeutic benefit and increased risk of falls and mortality. To date, the majority of prevalence data has been collected in Sydney exclusively and it is not known if recent initiatives to promote appropriate psychotropic prescribing have impacted utilisation. Thus, we aimed to comprehensively analyse psychotropic use in a large national sample of residential aged care facility residents. Method: A cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study of residents from 150 residential aged care facilities distributed nationally during April 2014–October 2015. Antipsychotic, anxiolytic/hypnotic and antidepressant utilisation was assessed, along with anticonvulsant and anti-dementia drug use. Negative binomial regression analysis was used to examine variation in psychotropic use. Results: Full psychotropic prescribing data was available from 11,368 residents. Nearly two-thirds (61%) were taking psychotropic agents regularly, with over 41% prescribed antidepressants, 22% antipsychotics and 22% of residents taking benzodiazepines. Over 30% and 11% were charted for ‘prn’ (as required) benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, respectively. More than 16% of the residents were taking sedating antidepressants, predominantly mirtazapine. South Australian residents were more likely to be taking benzodiazepines ( p < 0.05) and residents from New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory less likely to be taking them ( p < 0.01), after adjustment for rurality and size of residential aged care facility. Residents located in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory were also significantly less likely to take antidepressants ( p < 0.01), as were residents from outer regional residential aged care facilities ( p < 0.01). Antipsychotic use was not associated with State, rurality or residential aged care facility size. Conclusion: Regular antipsychotic use appears to have decreased in residential aged care facilities but benzodiazepine prevalence is higher, particularly in South Australian residential aged care facilities. Sedating antidepressant and ‘prn’ psychotropic prescribing is widespread. Effective interventions to reduce the continued reliance on psychotropic management, in conjunction with active promotion of non-pharmacological strategies, are urgently required.

scholarly journals Influenza outbreaks in aged care facilities in New South Wales in 2017: impact and lessons for surveillance

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Merritt ◽  
Craig Dalton ◽  
Sheena Kakar ◽  
Mark Ferson ◽  
Priscilla Stanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Attack Rate ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Influenza Outbreaks

Introduction: A record number of influenza outbreaks in aged care facilities (ACFs) in New South Wales (NSW) during 2017 provided an opportunity to measure the health impact of those outbreaks and assess the quality of routinely available surveillance data. Methods: Data for all ACF influenza outbreaks in NSW in 2017 were extracted from the Notifiable Conditions Information Management System. The numbers of outbreaks, residents with influenza-like illness (ILI), hospital admissions and deaths were assessed. For each outbreak the attack rate; duration; timeliness of notification; resident and staff influenza vaccination coverage; and antiviral use for treatment or prophylaxis were analysed. Data were considered for NSW in total and separately for seven of the state’s local health districts. Data completeness was assessed for all available variables. Results: A total of 538 ACF outbreaks resulted in 7,613 residents with ILI, 793 hospitalisations and 338 deaths. NSW outbreaks had a median attack rate of 17% and median duration of eight days. Data completeness, which varied considerably between districts, limited the capacity to accurately consider some important epidemiological and policy issues. Discussion: Influenza outbreaks impose a major burden on the residents and staff of ACFs. Accurate assessment of the year-to-year incidence and severity of influenza outbreaks in these facilities is important for monitoring the effectiveness of outbreak prevention and management strategies. Some key data were incomplete and strategies to improve the quality of these data are needed, particularly for: the number of influenza-related deaths among residents; resident and staff vaccination coverage prior to outbreaks; and recorded use of antiviral prophylaxis.

Exploring information technology (IT) sophistication in New South Wales residential aged care facilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 288
Author(s):  
Gregory L. Alexander ◽  
Andrew Georgiou ◽  
Joyce Siette ◽  
Richard Madsen ◽  
Anne Livingstone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
It Use ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
It Capabilities ◽  
It Integration ◽  
High Care ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Objective The aim of this study was to determine baseline information technology (IT) sophistication in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, residential aged care facilities. Method IT sophistication measures IT capabilities, extent of IT use and IT integration in two domains, resident care and clinical support. A survey was administered to all NSW residential aged care facilities (n = 876) between February and May 2017. A 15% response rate was achieved (130/876). Facilities were organised by organisational type, total residential places and remoteness. Using post-stratification weights, estimates of IT sophistication scores for NSW were determined. Regression was used to examine whether there was a linear relationship between IT sophistication and the ratio of residents receiving high care. Results Participating facilities were similar to other NSW facilities in residential places and remoteness, but different in organisational type. IT sophistication was highest in IT capabilities and integration in resident care. IT sophistication was lowest in clinical support. Respondents had a mean of 1.2 years of IT experience. IT sophistication varied among aged care facilities. There was a linear relationship (P &lt; 0.05) with the proportion of high-care residents and total IT sophistication Conclusion Routine reports of IT sophistication in aged care are not available. If data were available, determining the influence of IT sophistication on the quality care for residential aged care would be possible. What is known about the topic? Aged care settings that deliver care to the older population need to be contemporary in their approach to delivering high-quality and safe care. Health IT holds great potential for improving the quality and safety of care of older residents in aged care facilities. What does this paper add? This report provides a baseline assessment of IT capabilities, extent of IT use and IT integration, called IT sophistication, among aged care facilities with variable characteristics. What are implications for practitioners? Increasing IT sophistication has the potential to improve the quality of care delivered by aged care staff.

scholarly journals Molecular epidemiology of noroviruses and sapoviruses and their role in Australian outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter White ◽  
John-Sebastian Eden ◽  
Grant Hansman
Keyword(s):  
Acute Gastroenteritis ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Genetic Lineage ◽  
Viral Gastroenteritis ◽  
Cruise Ships ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Epidemiological Trends

Every winter since 2004, (except 2005) there have been outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis across Australia, caused by norovirus (NoV). These outbreaks are frequently seen in aged-care facilities, hospitals and cruise ships. Why has this become the norm and what has happened in virological terms to cause this? A single genetic lineage of NoV has emerged as the major cause of pandemic and epidemic viral gastroenteritis. The first reported pandemic of acute gastroenteritis occurred in 1996, discovered through the advent of molecular detection assays. Following a second pandemic in 2002, NoV-associated pandemics of gastroenteritis have occurred with increasing frequency. Here we describe the current molecular epidemiological trends of human NoV, and its milder cousin, sapovirus (SaV), and explain why, in particular, NoV has become the biggest player in the field of viral gastroenteritis. With encouraging results from the first vaccine trial recently reported and continuing research towards the development of vaccines and antiviral agents, we ask whether better weapons to fight and deter gastroenteritis viruses will be available in the future?

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