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RGH

Respimat Inhaler – RGH E-Bulletin

by Robbo on 25/05/2009

From the newsletter:

Suboptimal inhaler technique is a major barrier to effectiveness of inhalation therapy. Many patients, particularly the elderly and the very young have difficulty correctly using currently available inhaler devices.

Consequently, there is ongoing research into the development of inhaler devices that are easy to use and provide improved lung deposition. The Respimat® Soft Mist inhaler is a novel, metered-dose device for delivery of inhaled drugs to patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Respimat® inhaler uses mechanical power from a spring rather than propellants to release a ‘Soft Mist’ which lasts longer and is slower moving than that emitted from a pressurised metered dose inhaler (MDI). As compared to the MDI, which initially releases particles of a relatively large diameter (15 to 20 μm), the Respimat® inhaler releases a high proportion of particles which are respirable (<5μm).

To continue reading the newsletter download it here

A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.

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Tagged as: drug, information, inhaler, Respimat, RGH, RGH E-bulletin

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Complementary and Alternative Medicines in RA – RGH E-Bulletin

by Robbo on 20/04/2009

From the newsletter:

This E-Bulletin addresses the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The definition of CAMs used here includes practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine practiced by medical doctors or allied heath professionals.

Many CAM therapies are heavily advertised and make attractive claims, often based on personal stories. People with a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), may be attracted to CAMs if conventional treatment is not working as well as they would like, or if there are side effects from conventional treatment. There is sometimes a belief that CAM therapies are safer and more natural. There is relatively limited information on how CAMs may work, how they compare to conventional treatments, what is the most effective dose and how they might interact with other medication.

Click on the picture below for the complete article.

cam-and-ra

Subscription details are contained in the newsletter.

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Tagged as: Alternative medicines, CAM, Complentary, RGH, RGH E-bulletin, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Renal Colic – RGH E-Bulletin

by Robbo on 15/04/2009

From the newsletter:

Renal colic typically presents as a sudden onset of acute, intermittent colicky flank pain (on the side of the body, between last rib and hip) that may radiate towards the lower abdomen or groin. It is often associated with nausea and vomiting. It has an annual incidence of approximately 16 in 10,000 people and a lifetime incidence of 2-5%.

Renal colic, along with haematuria, is a classic symptom of urolithiasis, which should be considered as a differential diagnosis. However there are other conditions that have symptoms that could mimic renal colic due to urolithiasis. One example is bleeding within the kidney that can produce clots, which lodge temporarily in the ureter. Another is ectopic pregnancy, but this can usually be clarified by ultrasound imaging. Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm could also have symptoms that resemble renal colic due to urolithiasis. Patients with acute intestinal obstruction may also present with pain resembling renal colic, but unlike with urolithiasis it is not in association with haematuria. Besides that, individuals seeking attention or narcotics may pretend to have renal colic. Overall, however, misdiagnosis is actually very rare.

To read the rest of the bulletin click here or on the picture below (small pdf).

renal_colic

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Tagged as: renal, renal colic, RGH, RGH E-bulletin

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How to Achieve Positive Results

by Robbo on 26/12/2008

A new niche company has been formed: HARLOT, specialising in How to Achieve positive Results without actually Lying to Overcome the Truth.

I am sure their services will be much in demand, particularly by the pharmaceutical industry. (Click on the picture to down load the small file.)

This bulletin is produced by the Repatriation General Hospital in Adelaide.

Even their Chief Pharmacist, Chris Alderman has a sense of humour. Here’s a joke he submitted to Auspharm

Pearly Gates

An emergency physician, a psychiatrist, a pharmacist and a hospital administrator all had the misfortune to pass away on the same day. Arriving simultaneously at the Pearly Gates, they were all asked by Saint Peter to plead their cases for entry.

“All of my life I’ve worked with people in extremis”said the ER doctor ­ “I pull them back from death’s door and save them from a premature parting.” “Fair enough” said St Peter, “welcome to the kingdom of heaven!”

“I’ve devoted my career to helping the troubled and disturbed, I’ve been there when troubled folk have needed support” said the psychiatrist. “Well done, you’ve earned your time in paradise eternal, please go through” said St Peter.

“Each day, I’ve tended to the needs of people who’ve needed my help. I’ve supplied their medicines, given them good advice, and I’ve prevented them from being hurt when mistakes are made” said the pharmacist. “You’ve earned your place in heaven, go on in” said St Peter.

“I’ve had to make the tough decisions about how the hospital runs. Who gets treated, what gets funded, and how it all gets paid for” said the administrator, “I’ve done my bit too.”

St Peter looked pensive and eventually replied “Well done – you can come in.” “But you can only stay for three days …”

Boxing Day – The cricket calls

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Tagged as: drug, humour, information, RGH

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