death
No management plan for complex patient
A doctor has been reprimanded, ordered to pay $30,000 and conditions placed on his registration after the death of a patient from multi-drug toxicity The doctor, who worked at a …
Pharmacy expert warning over hospital opioid use
How did a patient admitted to a South Australian public hospital for pain in his arm die from fentanyl and oxycodone toxicity? On 23 March 2015 Stephen Robert Atkins, 53, …
Dying for your art
Do we need ‘selfie-free zones’ to prevent an epidemic of camera-induced deaths and injuries? Over 250 people worldwide died in selfie-related incidents over a six-year period, say researchers who are …
Real time monitoring launches in Vic
Australia’s first comprehensive real-time monitoring system, SafeScript, is going live this week Victoria’s Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, and clinicians from Ballarat Health Services announced Monday that the system would …
Multiple drugs implicated in death of doctor-shopping patient
The Chief Pharmacist of Tasmania says doctors are failing to recognise the risks of psychoactive drugs, and calls for pharmacists to be better utilised The death of a 44-year-old Tasmanian …
The week in review
It’s been a busy week in community pharmacy, with Ramsay Health and residential aged care under the spotlight First, there was regulatory news: Health Minister Greg Hunt announced changes to …
Warning after eye drop death
Health professionals have been advised to exercise extreme caution if considering off-label prescribing and supply of atropine eye drops, following the death of an adult patient The TGA has advised …
Knowing the risks
An inquest has highlighted the importance of careful decisions in drug withdrawal, after a patient died from being administered an excessive amount of buprenorphine In April 2015, a 38-year-old man …
Pill testing needs to be considered: experts
Harm minimisation stakeholders have condemned the NSW Government’s hardline response to two drug deaths on the weekend Two people have died and two more were critically ill in hospital after …
Why SafeScript is like seat belts
SafeScript is set to roll out in one Victorian PHN area, ahead of its state-wide expansion next year And president of the Pharmacy Guild Victorian branch Anthony Tassone has compared …
Accidental death due to opioids: inquest
How can pharmacists help patients who are experiencing the side effects of tramadol, or at risk of accidental overdose? Perth woman Jackie-Lee Smith, 56, died due to tramadol intoxication leading …
Looking at the numbers
Reports show 19 deaths occurred due to sildenafil in the UK last year. What does this mean for the medicine, which is being considered for S3 status in Australia? Data from …