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BPJ 38 September 2011

Best Practice Journal

The use of dabigatran in general practice

Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is now available in New Zealand, fully funded, without Special Authority, as an alternative oral anticoagulant to warfarin, to prevent stroke in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Dabigatran is also registered for short-term use for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after major orthopaedic surgery. It is available in 75 mg, 110 mg and 150 mg capsules. View Article

Appropriate use of amoxicillin clavulanate

Amoxicillin clavulanate is an important and effective medicine but its use must be reserved for specific indications in order to reduce the rate of antimicrobial resistant infections. First-line indications for amoxicillin clavulanate are; mammalian bites (including human), diabetic foot infections and periorbital/facial cellulitis. View Article

Community-based IV administration: primary care reducing hospital admissions

Intravenous (IV) administration of medicines in general practice clinics or in patient’s homes, is becoming increasingly common in New Zealand. Conditions that may be suitable for IV treatment in primary care include; cellulitis, dehydration and respiratory and kidney infections. Medicines such as zoledronic acid (a bisphosphonate designed for IV infusion) are now also available for prescription and administration in primary care. View Article

Diabetes detection: what are the PHO Performance Programme indicators and how are they best achieved?

The purpose of the PHO Performance Programme is to improve health and reduce disparities among people using primary healthcare services in New Zealand, through the implementation of key indicators. The PHO performance indicator and target for diabetes detection is for 90% of enrolled patients with diabetes to have been indentified and coded within their patient notes. View Article

Upfront: Detecting child abuse in general practice

This second article in our series on children and young people in New Zealand who have been abused or neglected, aims to provide primary care professionals with an awareness of some of the indicators of child abuse and ways to intervene. View Article

News in brief: Maternity referral guidelines & Simvastatin

  • New maternity referral guidelines released
  • Simvastatin: risk associated with high doses
 View Article

Medicine safety

Dr Janice Wilson, Health Quality & Safety Commission's Chief Executive, says medicine errors are an ongoing and potentially serious cause of patient harm, and improving medicine safety is one of the Commission's top priorities in 2011/12 View Article

Correspondence: Vitamin D, pregnancy, and impaired renal function

View Article