The Heart Foundation of Heartweek is on the 6th to 12th May.
The 2012 Influenza Vaccination Program will commence nationally on Thursday 15th March 2012
Children presenting to the emergency department with moderate or severe asthma attacks are less likely to be admitted to hospital if they are treated with systemic corticosteroids within the first 75 minutes after triage, according to a new study.
Central Queensland University conductes the largest Australian sleep census to explore the sleep habits of the nation. 
New research shows increased information and education regarding the neurocognitive, cardiovascular and metabolic consequences of untreated OSA, as well as the importance of persisting with the treatment has positive consequences on patients CPAP compliance.
New research results reinforce the value of follow-up tools following right heart catheterisation and provide further support for some of the treatment goals currently suggested by international guidelines.The new test for Tuberculosis is both highly sensitive and specific. However it is the increased speed with which the new test operates that is proving the big winner. Comparative tests take weeks or months to complete and provide diagnosis in highly specialised secure laboratories. The new method is able to provide diagnosis in around 100 minutes and does not require high tech laboratories or other precautions. As with many treatable diseases early detection is vital; this is true with TB and it is hoped that many of the lives lost to TB can now be saved by early intervention and treatment.
The technology is compact and extremely easy to use. The sample is inserted and about 100 minutes later the machine is able to confirm the presence or absence of TB and whether or not it is drug resistant or treatable. The test is expected to be able to detect up to three times as many cases of drug resistant TB and looks particularly promising in high prevalence HIV populations. Patients with HIV often pass away before the diagnosis of TB can be made using conventional methods. Where speed is of the essence the new test for TB could prove life saving in being able to render a diagnosis in an effective and timely manner.
The new testing method was itself put under the microscope in the New England Journal of Medicine. Investigators found that the new testing method was around 90-99% accurate for sensitivity, for TB detection, and 96% specificity. In detecting drug resistant TB the method was 99% sensitive and 100% specific. The authors of the study found that the training and time on task of the new diagnostic test was far superior compared to the currently available tests. The new test requires only 2 or 3 days of training compared to 2 or 3 weeks and only 15 minutes was required to actually perform the test.
On top of this the testing currently used is time consuming and relatively expensive. There are facilities required for specimen storage and manpower to perform the testing up to one month after specimen collection. Further to this the reporting and delivery of diagnosis requires communication to be maintained with the patient. The new test has the advantage that it can be performed whilst the patient is on location, this saves, not only time, but storage and manpower leading to greater efficiency and simplicity.
Hopefully this new technology will be made widely available, especially to the communities with highest morbidity and mortality rates of TB. For more information on TB click here or for more information on Lung Health click here.