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A report from the University of Newcastle in Australia discusses the importance of scope of practice regulation in medicine for patient safety, access to care, and professional autonomy. The paper explores the impact of these regulations on healthcare delivery, professional responsibilities, and patient outcomes. It highlights the benefits and drawbacks of rigorous scope of practice regulations, including their impact on clinical innovation and access to care. The author proposes implementing a national, artificial intelligence-powered, real-time outcome monitoring system to address these challenges. The paper emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to regulation to avoid stifling clinical innovation while ensuring patient safety and professional accountability. [Extracted from the article]

Paediatric nurses have a crucial role in health promotion. During Australia's devastating bushfire season, nurses and physicians had heightened concern for children with chronic poorly controlled asthma due to long months of smoky haze. The introduction of the subcutaneous drug, Omalizumab, usually administered two to four weekly, was life-saving to a small cohort of paediatric patients. Omalizumab is a recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) derived from a humanised monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to human immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE is the immune mediator involved in the clinical presentation of asthma in children with wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, caused by the inflammatory responses and narrowing of the airways. Previously, this has resulted in children with severe allergic asthma having acute deterioration, prolonged hospital admissions, and increased risk of mortality, affecting childhood experiences and reducing the quality of life. Furthermore, this burdens healthcare systems with extended bed stays and healthcare costs. This paper is a report of two paediatric patients who have battled chronic asthma from early childhood, but since the trial of Omalizumab, they have significantly improved their asthma control. It is essential to acknowledge the drug's effectiveness and promote its use among health professionals. Nurses are at the frontline and are vital in providing knowledge and education. Alongside physicians, nurses are essential promoters of treatment. The multifaceted role of paediatric nurses as carers, advocates and health promoters places them in a crucial position to improve the quality of care for children, young people and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor has been developed by a team at RMIT University in Australia. The compact and lightweight device offers more comfort and less skin irritation compared to other heart monitoring devices on the market. The device, which weighs only 10 grams, could be used to prevent heart attacks for people with cardiovascular disease. It features three "dry" electrodes that are thin and can sense even the slightest signals of a distressed heart. The team has filed an international patent application and is exploring ways to translate the device into a commercial product. [Extracted from the article]