Roundup: VR training at Latrobe Regional Hospital, plus more briefs
Latrobe Regional Hospital improves medical training with virtual reality.
Kylie Larkin, a medical education officer at LRH, said, "Through this collaboration, we will be able to quickly increase skill level, knowledge of clinical procedures, and familiarity with them. We will also be able to improve patient care standards."
According to the officer, it will also allow the predominantly training hospital to expand its medical training offerings. Also, the hospital has set up an internal online booking system so that employees can schedule training sessions whenever they want.
In New Zealand, COVID-19 hospitalizations are undercounted due to a coding issue.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health found a coding mistake that caused COVID-19 hospitalizations to be undercounted. According to its review, the total number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 from the beginning of the pandemic to October 16 of this year went up from 14,043 to 19,476.
According to the ministry, the problem "largely" affected data on COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized for short periods of time (one to three days) and got better after being released. However, it had no effect on the ministry's daily hospitalization figures, nor on the care provided to patients in hospitals.
The Centrik and Well apps are being used by a new Christchurch GP.
Phoenix Health Hub, a newly established GP clinic in central Christchurch, has hired Webtools to set up Centrik, a connected care platform, and consumer health app, Well.
Centrik is a consumer health information provider that can integrate with a patient's EHR in real time. Phoenix will be able to digitally connect its on-site services to the platform and make patient engagement "frictionless" through the Well app.
Patients can use the Well app to look at their health records, make in-person and virtual appointments, ask for repeat prescriptions, message their GP team, and get notifications. Phoenix is also implementing the Medtech Evolution practice management system, which will enable Centrik integrations via the ALEX platform using FHIR. Centrik can now easily connect with other healthcare providers to share patient data in a safe way.
The state of New South Wales has launched an online menopause toolkit.
The NSW government has created an online toolkit with information about perimenopause and menopause symptoms. The menopause toolkit, according to a press release, includes links to "clear and accurate" information, such as the locations of NSW government-funded clinics.
According to NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard, having this free online toolkit "can be lifesaving." He explained that a number of negative health outcomes can occur during menopause, including depression, osteoporosis, weight management issues, and an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Previously, women were expected to deal with perimenopause and menopause alone. "It is critical for women's health and well-being to remove social stigmas associated with discussing and seeking treatment for perimenopause and menopause," Bronnie Taylor, NSW Minister for Women, added her voice.
Te Whatu Ora has appointed temporary regional data and digital leaders.
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand just picked four interim regional leaders for data and digital work. Megan Milmine will be in charge of the Northern region, while Stephen Miller will be in charge of the Central region. Garry Johnston will be in charge of Te Manawa Taki, while James Allison will be in charge of Te Waipounamu.