Online calculator predicts long-term COVID risk
a A COVID-19 risk calculator developed by a group of Australian universities can now also determine a person’s risk of developing long COVID.
The intractable condition, which is reported to affect at least 65 million people worldwide, is commonly characterized by fatigue, brain confusion and shortness of breath.
An online calculator introduced in 2021 can now assess an individual’s risk of developing long COVID-19 six months after infection, taking into account factors such as age, sex, comorbidities, vaccination status, number of previous infections and use of antiviral medication.
“Healthcare managers and individuals, working with clinicians, can use the risk assessment tool to inform joint decision-making around vaccination, infection avoidance behaviours and pursuing early treatment during acute infection,” said Dr Kirsty Short, an associate professor at the University of Queensland who was part of the group that developed the calculator.
ADHA enables FHIR-based integration with PCA
The Australian Digital Health Agency’s Provider Connect Australia service has been updated to enable integration with clinical information systems.
The service, which helps healthcare providers update their business information in one place, can now be integrated with CIS via a SMART on FHIR interface.
The PCA is also the foundation for the future HIE being developed by ADHA, and the updated business information on the portal will be used to create an integrated HIE directory of Australian health care providers and practitioners.
Clintel Integrates Care Management with CareRight
Clintel Systems has announced the integration of electronic medication management into its web-based hospital software, CareRight.
According to a media release, the company has partnered with Compact Systems Australia to give healthcare providers using CareRight seamless access to emma, a digital solution for medication management and dosage administration.
“This integration shares valuable information between both platforms, including PRN validity, nurse administered medications, patient profile, patient IHI, weight, temperature, pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation,” Clintel noted.
University of Otago’s Virtual Rural Health Education Centre goes live
The University of Otago has established a virtual centre to train New Zealand’s future rural health workers.
According to a media release, the centre will not have its own physical location and will bring together the university’s School of General Practice and Rural Health and the Ashburton Academic Centre for Rural Health under one umbrella.
The facility will function as the University’s Rural Health Unit and will support teaching and research primarily in rural New Zealand.
