hne health libraries linking evidence with practice

On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). This decision was based on the evidence presented to the TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes.
Here is a summary of what is currently known...

With an increasing focus by health services, government and funding bodies on implementing evidence into practice and policy, Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH) has developed a free online directory of implementation science tools and resources for students, clinicians and researchers to make it easier to find resources that support efforts to improve routine practice and care.

The new MACH Implementation Science Resource Directory conveniently brings together diverse digital tools and resources into a central location to support health implementation efforts by beginners and experts.

The epidemiology and clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are different in children and adolescents compared with adults. Although COVID-19 appears to be less common in children, with milder disease overall, severe complications may occur, including paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS). Recognising the distinct needs of this population, the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce formed a Paediatric and Adolescent Care Panel to provide living guidelines for Australian clinicians to manage children and adolescents with COVID-19 and COVID-19 complications.
Read the main recommendations...
The latest updates and full recommendations...

This new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare looks at the direct and indirect health effects of COVID-19 in Australia using data from the first year of the pandemic (up to April/May 2021). It includes information on case numbers, deaths, and burden of disease as well as the impact on other diseases, health services, changes in health behaviours and social determinants. It draws on data from a range of sources including disease surveillance systems, death registrations, hospitalisations, MBS and PBS, and surveys.
Read more...