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The impact of a vancomycin intervention on vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity in children: a quality improvement initiative

Vancomycin is first-line treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. However, despite guideline recommendations, there is no evidence that targeting vancomycin trough concentrations of ≥15 mg/L in children confers clinical benefit and is associated with vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity. 

Cost constraints in supporting the Healthy Living Practices in remote Aboriginal communities: A Western Australian perspective

The Healthy Living Practices (HLPs) outline nine essential guidelines for maintaining health in remote Aboriginal communities, yet high costs and poor availability make them financially out of reach for many families. We assessed the cost and availability of essential goods required to support the HLPs in eight remote Kimberley community stores, recording prices during three visits in 2022 as part of the SToP (See, Treat, Prevent) Skin Sores and Scabies Trial, and retrospectively comparing these (inflation-adjusted) with Perth and Broome prices in 2024. 

FeBRILe3: Caregiver Satisfaction With Early Discharge of Febrile Infants Under 3 Months Old

Although evidence supports clinicians to "safely do less" for febrile infants assessed as low risk of serious bacterial infection (SBI), early discharge may increase caregiver concern and reduce satisfaction with care. We captured the self-reported satisfaction and concerns for families enrolled in the study of fever, blood cultures and readiness for discharge in infants less than 3 months old (FeBRILe3), a prospective safety assessment of early discharge of low-risk febrile infants, to aid evaluation of this practice. 

Model-informed precision dosing of vancomycin in children 3 months to 18 years of age using Australia-wide data

Vancomycin is used to treat serious gram-positive infections in children; however, effective dosing information for those aged 3 months to 18 years is limited. We aimed to determine an optimized dosing strategy for this age group.

Stakeholders Want a Menu of Choices: Findings from a Consultation Workshop on Improving Access to Secondary Prophylaxis of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Intramuscular (IM) injection of benzathine benzylpenicillin G (BPG) forms the cornerstone of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) secondary prophylaxis. BPG is available as either a low-cost powdered formulation or a costlier pre-filled suspension. Most of the global RHD burden lies in low- and middle-income countries, which rely on the powdered formulation. 

Delayed diagnosis is associated with complications following invasive meningococcal disease in Australian adolescents and young adults

This study described the presenting features, initial assessment, hospital care, and complications at discharge among Australian adolescents and young adults with Invasive meningococcal disease.

Evidence for Decreasing the Age of Atrial Fibrillation Screening for Indigenous People in Australia: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

To determine whether the screening age for atrial fibrillation (AF) should be lowered for Indigenous Australians with the goal of reducing risk of stroke and other health burdens.

Estimated survival gains from pulselessness-detection technologies in unwitnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Western Australia: a simulation study

In Australia, two-thirds of emergency medical service attended out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are unwitnessed, and survival is <5% in this group. With the recent incorporation of pulselessness-detection technologies into consumer wearable devices such as smartwatches, the potential exists to convert unwitnessed arrests into device-witnessed cases.

More Convergence on Coercion: Reflecting on Vaccine Mandates in 2026; A Response to Recent Commentaries

As we finalised our analysis of the adoption of mandatory policies for childhood vaccines in four high-income jurisdictions for our publication, “Convergence on Coercion,” every country on earth was grappling with how to drive uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. 

Prospective longitudinal study of respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses in children <5 years in community settings in metropolitan western Australia: the PATROL study

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in young children. Since 2021, RSV has been a notifiable disease in Australia. However, current surveillance systems focus on hospitalised RSV, with limited surveillance at a community level through primary care clinics. This approach only captures RSV requiring hospitalisation. Less severe illnesses, while not captured, may have significant social and economic impacts including the associated cost of care and absenteeism. The aim of this study is to establish an understanding of the broader burden of RSV in young children in a community setting.