General Medical issues thread

[Freq Flier 2013]

I needed an x-ray of my hand recently. I had one 10 years previously (image on a big film) and knowing that radiologists like to have something to compare a scan to, I took it to my appointment. It was waved away by the receptionist.

Naturally, the radiologist's new report started "There is no previous imagery to compare ..."

I still have about 6 big x-ray films and will keep 'em.

Medicare receptionists are the worst. I’m my opinion less educated but feel far superior. Bad attitude and seem to know better than the actual doctor / specialist.

 

[Brissy1]

Disturbing article in the Australian today about a report (by interstate authors) into the Qld Prince Charles Hospital heart transplant unit. Some of the issues...
- only performs ½ the transplants it should,
- 12 month post operative mortally rate 150% of international benchmark (including from fungal infections from mould in the hospital room),
- ½ of all donor hearts are sent interstate,
- categorises patients as not medically suitable, who nevertheless then have successful transplants interstate.

When reviewed, waiting list was "surprisingly(sic) small", just 10 suitable persons on the list. So KPIs met .

$5.9M pa allocated to fix the problem. Meanwhile, permanent 50cent bus subsidies in Brisbane area is a $350M continuing cost (in 2024 $) every year.

 

[andye]

Disturbing article in the Australian today about a report (by interstate authors) into the Qld Prince Charles Hospital heart transplant unit. Some of the issues...
- only performs ½ the transplants it should,
- 12 month post operative mortally rate 150% of international benchmark (including from fungal infections from mould in the hospital room),
- ½ of all donor hearts are sent interstate,
- categorises patients as not medically suitable, who nevertheless then have successful transplants interstate.

When reviewed, waiting list was "surprisingly(sic) small", just 10 suitable persons on the list. So KPIs met .

$5.9M pa allocated to fix the problem. Meanwhile, permanent 50cent bus subsidies in Brisbane area is a $350M continuing cost (in 2024 $) every year.

There was a not dissimilar situation in Bristol, UK. Took whistleblowers to uncover and a major scandal. I havent read this report but, on the face of it, mortality should be lower if you reject high-risk patients.

 

[Brissy1]

There was a not dissimilar situation in Bristol, UK. Took whistleblowers to uncover and a major scandal. I havent read this report but, on the face of it, mortality should be lower if you reject high-risk patients.

Interesting, so I looked up 12 month survival rates for St. Vincent Sydney. Non-frail 95%, frail 74%. Send me there. Prince Charles (with their "medically suitable" restrictions so presumably non-frail) 79%. Don't send me there. I see why an administrator wouldn't want frail patients messing up their rates.
I'm old enough to remember the 1st heart transplant (South Africa?) and now we have up to 95% survival. Amazing.