Clinical Matters Newsletter October 2024 25 Oct 2024

In this issue:

Pathlab Histology Backlog
Change to reporting of paediatric echocardiograms
Outpatient Medication Administration
New Treatment Trial for Polycystic Kidney disease
Public Health Alert - Rise in Pertussis
Ōpōtiki and Kawerau Ultrasound Clinic temporarily re-located
Brain Injury services eReferral
Spirometry training workshop in Tauranga for 10-11 Dec 2024
Recent new or updated HealthPathways

Pathlab Histology Backlog

Due to significant staffing shortages, we are experiencing a backlog in processing histology cases. Urgent cases will be prioritised, while non-urgent or routine cases may face extended wait times.

Please adjust any follow-up appointments with patients accordingly. We appreciate your understanding.

On behalf of Dr Nicholas Shaw, Managing Pathologist.

Change to reporting of paediatric echocardiograms

Paediatric echocardiogram reports will no longer be sent to practices as paper-based letters.

Instead, GPs will be informed via a clinic letter from a paediatrician which will include the results of the echo and any other tests the child has undergone.

The echo reports can also be accessed via CHIP/Eclair.

Outpatient Medication Administration

To prevent waste and unnecessary costs to patients, please note that when referring patients to hospital clinics for specific medications, a prescription is not required.

The hospital cannot use medications issued externally; they must be dispensed by the hospital pharmacy. For example, Aclasta and Ferinject.

Any medication brought by the patient will be discarded.

New Treatment Trial for Polycystic Kidney disease - Now Actively Recruiting Patients in Bay of Plenty

In collaboration with the Hauora a Toi Clinical Trials unit and the University of Otago, the Hauora a Toi Renal Service is pleased to be involved in a new study involving patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (IMPEDE-PKD).

The IMPEDE-PKD trial is a clinical study looking at whether metformin XR (a medication) can protect kidney function for people with polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

The study is being done around the world and will include 80 people in New Zealand – the Bay of Plenty, one of the new sites actively recruiting patients.

People with PKD and who have kidney function (GFR) between 38 and 90 ml/min and also who have large kidney size or a decrease in kidney function over the last year (of 5%) or 3% a year over each of the last 5 years may be able to take part. The research team will review each patient wanting to take part to see if they will meet the research eligibility criteria to be involved.

As part of this randomised control trial – patients will be asked to take either metformin or a dummy pill for 2 years – with kidney function follow up very similar to standard care.

Currently there is only one treatment for PKD that may prevent new cysts called tolvaptan. This study aims to broaden the evidence base surround possible future treatments

If you have patients or their whanau who may be interested in further information, or keen to participate; please email; impede.renalbop@bopdhb.govt.nz

Equally, more information can be found at IMPEDE-PKD - Kidney Trials which has a very informative video, and links to further information.

If a patient has a relative or friend outside the Bay of Plenty who is eager to see if they can participate this piece of research, they can contact the National research team at impede-pkd.nz@otago.ac.nz