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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Public Use And Perceptions Of Emergency Departments: A Population Survey, Gerry Fitzgerald, Ghasem Tooloo, Peter Aitkin, Gerben Keijzers, Paul Scuffham Aug 2015

Public Use And Perceptions Of Emergency Departments: A Population Survey, Gerry Fitzgerald, Ghasem Tooloo, Peter Aitkin, Gerben Keijzers, Paul Scuffham

Gerben Keijzers

Objectives: To inform demand management strategies aimed at reducing congestion in EDs by: (i) identifying public use of EDs, decision-making and reasons; and (ii) measuring acceptance of alternative care models. Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey of a random sample of Queensland population aged 18 years or older residing in a dwelling unit in Queensland that could be contacted on a land-based telephone service was conducted. One person per household was selected according to a predetermined algorithm to ensure sex and regional balance were interviewed. The main outcome measures were: ED use, attitudes towards ED staff and services, and alternative models …


The Impact Of A Temporary Medical Ward Closure On Emergency Department And Hospital Service Delivery Outcomes, Julia Crilly, Gerben Keijzers, Dirken Krahn, Michael Steele, David Green, Janeen Freeman Oct 2012

The Impact Of A Temporary Medical Ward Closure On Emergency Department And Hospital Service Delivery Outcomes, Julia Crilly, Gerben Keijzers, Dirken Krahn, Michael Steele, David Green, Janeen Freeman

Gerben Keijzers

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect of a 3-week closure of a 28-bed medical ward on Emergency Department (ED) and hospital outcomes.

METHODS: This was a prospective comparative observational study of all ED attendances (visits; n = 11 383) made to a regional teaching hospital in Queensland, Australia, during a 9-week period (November 24, 2008-January 4, 2009). A 3-week period of ward closure was compared with equal time periods before and after. Hospital health information systems data were linked manually to describe and compare outcomes: median ED length of stay, access block, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS: Ward …


Clinical Diagnostic Criteria For Isolating Patients Admitted To Hospital With Suspected Pandemic Influenza, John Gerrard, Gerben Keijzers, Ping Zhang, Caleb Vossen, Deborough Macbeth Sep 2010

Clinical Diagnostic Criteria For Isolating Patients Admitted To Hospital With Suspected Pandemic Influenza, John Gerrard, Gerben Keijzers, Ping Zhang, Caleb Vossen, Deborough Macbeth

Gerben Keijzers

Extract: Australian hospitals have now experienced the first wave of pandemic H1N1 influenza during a southern hemisphere winter. Patients admitted to Australian hospitals with suspected pandemic influenza during this period were identified by use of approved national clinical diagnostic criteria. However, the imprecise nature of clinical diagnosis limited the ability of hospitals to isolate infectious patients effectively before the laboratory confirmation of infection (which typically takes a minimum of 48 h).


Nothing To Sneeze At! A Study Into Intra-Operative Contamination, David Graham, Benjamin Parkinson, Meghan Evans, Gerben Keijzers, Petra Derrington Nov 2009

Nothing To Sneeze At! A Study Into Intra-Operative Contamination, David Graham, Benjamin Parkinson, Meghan Evans, Gerben Keijzers, Petra Derrington

Gerben Keijzers

Purpose: We performed a prospective study of sneezes from orthopaedic registrars to assess the potential for intra-operative contamination from a masked surgeon, and to determine if head position can alter the potential for contamination. Type of Study: Prospective controlled trial. Methods: Four orthopaedic registrars from the Gold Coast Hospital each inhaled pepper to precipitate a sneeze. Cultures were taken with and without standard Smith & Nephew™ surgical masks, in positions directly in front and to the sides of a masked registrar. The process was repeated three times for each registrar. A control plate was left exposed to the atmosphere. A …


How Would Australian Hospital Staff React To An Avian Influenza Admission, Or An Influenza Pandemic, Franco Martinese, Gerben Keijzers, Steven Grant, James Lind Jan 2009

How Would Australian Hospital Staff React To An Avian Influenza Admission, Or An Influenza Pandemic, Franco Martinese, Gerben Keijzers, Steven Grant, James Lind

Gerben Keijzers

Objective: To estimate the expected staff absentee rates and work attitudes in an Australian tertiary hospital workforce in two hypothetical scenarios: (i) a single admission of avian influenza; and (ii) multiple admissions of human pandemic influenza. Methods: A survey conducted at hospital staff meetings between May and August 2006. Results: Out of 570 questionnaires distributed, 560 were completed. For scenario one, 72 (13%) indicated that they would not attend work, and an additional 136 (25%) would only work provided that immunizations and/or antiviral medications were immediately available, so that up to 208 (38%) would not attend work. For scenario two, …