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<title>OOJOOLE &#45; : Science &amp;amp; Health</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/rss/category/science-health</link>
<description>OOJOOLE &#45; : Science &amp;amp; Health</description>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Copyright 2025 Oojoole &#45; All Rights Reserved.</dc:rights>

<item>
<title>Budget: AMA welcomes investment but calls for system reform</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/budget-ama-welcomes-investment-but-calls-for-system-reform</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/budget-ama-welcomes-investment-but-calls-for-system-reform</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In a post-Budget 2025–26 statement, Australian Medical Association President Dr Danielle McMullen welcomed health investment that includes the additional $8.5 billion for Medicare — promised by both parties and now confirmed in the Budget — together with funding to address medical workforce shortages and GP workforce issues. “This investment followed years of campaigning through our Modernise Medicare campaign which highlighted the long-term neglect of Medicare and consequences of that neglect on our health system,” McMullen said.

McMullen also said that “while this investment will help address affordability issues for many who don’t currently qualify for bulk billing incentives, structural reform of Medicare rebates is needed to ensure today’s patients get the care they need”. McMullen added: “We are calling for a new seven-tier general practice consultation item structure that is designed to meet the challenges of the growing burden of complex and chronic disease — one that supports patients to spend more time with their GP as part of a comprehensive approach to care.”

On the subject of funding to grow Australia’s specialist GP training places, McMullen said: “The government has also responded to our calls for funding for additional training rotations in general practice for early career doctors and funding to improve and equalise employment conditions for GP doctors-in-training.” Yet she added that the government had missed an opportunity to support thorough and evidenced-based workforce planning by not establishing an independent health workforce agency. “Since the abolition of Health Workforce Australia, we haven’t had an independent body dedicated to ensuring Australia’s medical workforce is distributed where it’s needed, improving access to health care for all,” McMullen said.

Among the other areas flagged as needing attention, McMullen said the AMA would be pushing the next government to address the growing crisis in the private health sector. This is a crisis that includes contract disputes between insurers and hospitals; hospital closures; and growing evidence that more and more policy holders are downgrading their cover as premiums become less affordable. “We are concerned these issues will only get worse and are calling for an independent private health authority to oversee urgent reforms and ensure the sector is meeting the expectations of the community,” McMullen said.

In closing, McMullen said the AMA was “hoping to see some much-needed reforms announced, that combined with tonight’s investment in Medicare, will ensure Australia’s health system continues to be one of the best in the world”.

You can read AMA’s 2025–26 Budget submissions here, via the AMA website.

Image credit: iStock.com/Halfpoint ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:27:36 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Kitchen hygiene solutions for healthcare</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/kitchen-hygiene-solutions-for-healthcare</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/kitchen-hygiene-solutions-for-healthcare</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  From hospitals to nursing homes, kitchen settings within healthcare facilities rely on dosing, dilution and dispensing solutions that are as reliable as they are effective.

SEKO, a world leader in the design and manufacture of chemical control products, looks at the characteristics required from these systems to allow healthcare operators to improve performance and reduce costs in their on-site kitchens.

Cleaning chemical dispensers

For the effective cleaning of countertops, floors and other surfaces, it’s essential that cleaning chemical dispensers feature dilution adjustment that is precise and consistent, as this optimises chemical performance while reducing consumption and the associated financial and environmental impacts.

Robustness is of course a key element, particularly in installations that are not regularly monitored or that receive harsh treatment. This includes excessive force (heavy-handed operatives may attempt to extract chemical even when the supply runs dry) and accidental collisions typical of high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

Therefore, a tough, impact-resistant design helps to ensure consistent, reliable performance while reducing the cost of maintenance, repair and replacement. Lightweight systems may be cheaper per unit but such systems are unreliable and have a short lifespan, plus can lead to inadequate cleaning.

When it comes to chemical handling, integrated storage and dispensing systems enable operators to not only save space and make cleaning stations tidier and more presentable, but also provide vital health and safety benefits by removing the need for manual handling, keeping chemicals off the floor and avoiding possible spillage and trip hazards.

Such systems typically feature a cabinet-style enclosure where various-sized chemical containers can be stored and connected to the built-in dispenser. Lockable cabinets help to prevent theft and tampering and protect employees against exposure to harsh concentrated chemical.



Warewash dosing systems

Warewash machines handling high volumes of crockery, cutlery and glassware should be built with premium-grade components that offer superior chemical compatibility.

This means parts are more resistant to degradation from harsh concentrated detergents, helping to deliver repeatable results and extensive equipment lifespan while reducing maintenance requirement.

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled technology in warewash dosing equipment is allowing managers and technicians to monitor detergent consumption statistics and system status at their convenience via smart device, PC or laptop.

As well as giving operators a clear understanding of their application’s cost, this cutting-edge connectivity also helps them to identify areas where chemical is being wasted and adjust programming accordingly.

Plus, technicians may be alerted to anomalies immediately, allowing them to schedule maintenance and avoid costly unplanned downtime as part of an efficient, well-run operation.

Drain dosing equipment

Managers of busy hospital kitchens face the ongoing challenge of keeping drain lines clear of blockages and unpleasant odours caused by the buildup of fat, grease and oil.

Resolving this issue is both costly and time consuming, which is why operators turn to specialist drain dosing systems. These devices periodically inject an enzyme-based chemical into the drain line, which breaks down fat before it can accumulate, solidify and create a blockage.

These systems operate automatically with minimal maintenance requirement and are available in both battery and mains-powered versions, offering a discreet, low-cost solution to help healthcare managers avoid expensive remedial action.

Explore SEKO’s innovative solutions for healthcare hygiene by visiting seko.com today.

Top image credit: iStock.com/Wirestock ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:27:32 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Identity at the Heart of Healthcare Security</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/identity-at-the-heart-of-healthcare-security</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/identity-at-the-heart-of-healthcare-security</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  The healthcare industry remains one of the most targeted sectors for cyberattacks, facing relentless threats that put patient data, operational continuity, and financial stability at risk. As attacks escalate, healthcare organisations must reassess the critical nature of their data and take decisive steps to strengthen their security posture before they become the next cautionary tale.

According to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)’s latest report, healthcare was the top sector to report data breaches in the first half of 2024, accounting for 15% of all notifications with 102 reported breaches.

Now this is not a race any industry wants to win, but it’s a daily reality.

SailPoint’s Healthcare Identity Security whitepaper highlights that a staggering 93% of healthcare organisations have experienced data breaches over the past two years, with average costs exceeding $10 million per breach — the highest of any industry. The root cause? Compromised credentials, excessive access permissions, and a lack of visibility into who has access to what.

Indiscriminating ransomware gangs have shown no mercy in exploiting identity security gaps to gain access to highly sensitive data. The recent ransomware attack on Australian IVF provider Genea, which resulted in highly confidential patient information being posted on the darknet and a shutdown of some critical systems, serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact security breaches can have on both healthcare organisations and their patients.

This is an industry that cannot afford interruptions. In recognition, the Australian federal government has made its contribution by awarding a $6.4 million grant to not-for-profit cyber intelligence sharing network CI-ISAC Australia to boost cyber security in the healthcare sector by creating the Health Cyber Sharing Network, which will allow healthcare entities to effectively and securely exchange threat intelligence specific to their industry.

The healthcare industry stands at a critical junction and modern identity security — powered by AI — is its lifeline. It is essential for reducing risk, streamlining operations, enhancing clinician productivity, meeting regulatory requirements, and ultimately improving overall patient care.

AI-Driven Identity Security as the Path Forward

For years, hospitals have relied on network-based security — firewalls, VPNs, and perimeter defences — but in today’s cloud-first, hybrid environments, these approaches are no longer enough. Healthcare organisations must manage a complex identity landscape, where identity is the new gateway to every system, application, and data source.

Non-employee access risks are particularly concerning, with healthcare being the most common victim of third-party breaches in 2022, accounting for 35% of all incidents. Hospitals oversee access for full-time clinical staff, non-employee contracted staff, students, volunteers, as well as third-party vendors, each with unique access needs. Inactive user accounts often remain enabled well past their expiration, creating persistent security gaps. At the same time, hospitals and healthcare systems must balance security with operational efficiency — ensuring clinical staff receive seamless, day-one access to systems, applications, and data without delays that could impact patient care and costs.

To address modern cyber threats while enabling efficiency, healthcare organisations are turning to AI-driven identity security. Advanced identity governance platforms leverage AI and automation to reduce onboarding time from weeks to minutes, ensuring timely access while also detecting and removing excessive permissions to mitigate credential-based attacks. By automating identity processes, IT workload is reduced, allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives while improving compliance with frameworks like NIST, HIPAA, HITRUST, and GDPR.

Modern identity security requires a unified approach that integrates governance, access management, threat detection and risk management. With SailPoint’s acquisition of Imprivata Enterprise Access Management, healthcare organisations gain seamless, secure access while maintaining compliance. They can provide secure day-one access, automate complex identity lifecycles across all systems, and extend governance controls to non-employee identities such as contractors and affiliate physicians. By streamlining processes and eliminating redundant infrastructure and services, they also reduce operational costs.



AI Agents and Machine Identities: The Next Frontier

Beyond human identities rises a new challenge: the rapid proliferation of machine identities and AI agents. Today’s healthcare organisations are managing a growing population of non-human identities, including service accounts, bots, APIs, and increasingly, agentic AI systems that can autonomously perform tasks, make decisions, and access sensitive systems.

Our research shows that nearly half of all organisations typically have far more machine identities than human ones, often by a factor of 10 or more. These digital entities require the same robust governance as human users, yet 75% lack designated ownership and 72% of identity professionals find them more challenging to manage than human identities.

Now, while AI agents hold immense promise for reducing administrative burden, potentially cutting paperwork by 30% according to recent studies, and have the potential to enhance care coordination and clinical decision-making, these systems also introduce new security considerations as they require access to multiple data sources and systems to function effectively.

Forward-thinking healthcare organisations are already addressing this challenge by extending their identity security strategies to encompass all entities accessing their systems — human and machine alike.

Future-Proofing Healthcare Organisations

The journey toward digital transformation in healthcare continues to accelerate, and with it, the critical role of identity security. Imagine a future where clinicians move seamlessly between departments and facilities while their access permissions automatically adjust in real time. Where AI systems quietly work in the background, learning patterns and preventing potential breaches before they occur, all without disrupting the vital work of patient care.

Across Australia, healthcare security is evolving. The days of working in isolation are giving way to collaborative communities where insights are shared, and collective defence becomes possible.

Australian healthcare organisations are uniquely positioned to lead in identity security. The sector has always understood that patient care requires both accessibility and protection. We’re now seeing this same philosophy applied to digital identities and ensuring the right people have seamless access to critical systems while maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance.



Ready to Transform Your Healthcare Identity Security?

SailPoint helps healthcare organisations of all sizes modernise their identity security strategies.

Learn more about how AI-driven identity security can transform your healthcare organisation by visiting SailPoint&#039;s healthcare resource centre, joining one of their upcoming healthcare-focused webinars or heading to this year’s Digital Health Festival to hear from Nam Lam himself.



Top image credit: iStock.com/sturti ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:27:29 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>NSW to ban acute hospital public&amp;amp;ndash;private partnerships</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/joes-law-nsw-to-ban-acute-hospital-publicprivate-partnerships</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/joes-law-nsw-to-ban-acute-hospital-publicprivate-partnerships</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The NSW Government has announced that it will ban all future public–private partnerships from being imposed on the state’s acute hospitals in order to honour the legacy and memory of toddler Joe Massa, who died last September. The Health Services Amendment (PPP Prohibition) Bill 2025 (NSW) will prevent the state’s governments from entering into a Northern Beaches-style arrangement to build or operate an acute public hospital, the NSW Government said.

“As a Labor government, we believe critical public services like acute hospitals should remain in public hands, safeguarded from privatisation,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns, who along with NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park described the new legislation as “Joe’s Law”.

“The NSW Government is committed to delivering the health care that the people of NSW rely on to keep our communities safe,” he added.

The legislation forms part of the state government’s broader response to ongoing community concerns in relation to the quality and safety of health services delivered at Northern Beaches Hospital. This response includes:


	a parliamentary inquiry into the hospital;
	a review of the systems and processes surrounding paediatric care at the hospital, led by the Clinical Excellence Commission;
	a roundtable to improve the accessibility of the REACH protocol (Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help is on its way);
	the request for a coronial inquest; and
	a commitment to ensure Healthscope implements all recommendations of the Serious Adverse Event Review into Massa’s death.
	 


“From the very beginning, we’ve adamantly opposed these sorts of arrangements — and we will continue to oppose them, now and into the future,” said Park, who will introduce legislation in the NSW Legislative Assembly to amend the Health Services Act 1997 (NSW) to bring the ban into effect.

“Joe’s Law will mean that public hospitals which provide services such as emergency, surgical and inpatient services will be protected under this government and from any future government that wishes to enter into such partnerships with private providers,” Park said. “Our major and local community hospitals should be run by the people.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Chalongrat Chuvaree ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:27:26 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Rapid healthcare IT deployment helps private hospital open</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/rapid-healthcare-it-deployment-helps-private-hospital-open</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/rapid-healthcare-it-deployment-helps-private-hospital-open</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Adeney Private Hospital — which opened its doors in March in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Kew — successfully implemented Dedalus’s Web Patient Administration System (webPAS) as its core PAS in under 14 weeks, a process that typically takes 5–18 months. Faced with immovable deadlines and the need for proven workflows, Adeney turned to Dedalus and the webPAS solution based on the company’s reputation for delivering tailored PASs for the Australia and New Zealand markets. The feat was necessary given that patient bookings and theatre run-throughs needed to occur well before the hospital’s opening, webPAS’s proven capabilities and workflows rising to meet the accelerated timeline.

“From the outset we had confidence in Dedalus, having previously worked with them in large Victorian private hospitals,” Adeney CEO Louise O’Connor said. “Dedalus are proven to deliver PAS outcomes that are tailored to the needs of the Australian market.” 

The hospital is a 60-bed facility and prioritises operational efficiency and patient experience, with patient flow from pre-admission to discharge being a central focus. Dedalus webPAS provides the hospital with comprehensive functionality, including admissions, discharges, billing, revenue management, patient notifications, and proven interfaces for general ledger and popular coding solutions.

“From our first meeting with Adeney, we knew we could help achieve their digital health goals and confidently open the hospital,” Dedalus PAS Business Manager Paul Beraldo said. “Despite tight deadlines, we relied on our industry experience, skilled team and proven product. In our view, no other PAS in the region matches the diversity of our implementations across public and private sectors and has the breadth of functionality.”

Adeney Private Hospital is a joint venture between Amplar Health (backed by Medibank) and a team of experienced medical professionals. It has the distinction of being the first private hospital in Australia to offer privately insured patients zero out-of-pocket costs across all hospital services (for participating health funds). On the success of the rapidly implemented of Dedalus webPAS in the hospital, Adeney ICT Project Director Paul Gladwell said: “Just goes to show what you can achieve when an awesome group of people work really well together. Thanks also for your willingness to work around our necessarily ‘agile’, and resource ‘lean’, project approach.”

Image credit: iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:27:23 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Victoria to gain mental health workforce upskilling centre</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/victoria-to-gain-mental-health-workforce-upskilling-centre</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/victoria-to-gain-mental-health-workforce-upskilling-centre</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ From 1 July, the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing will become responsible for the professional development and upskilling of Victoria’s mental health workforce, the Victorian Government has announced. Established following the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and the first of its kind in Australia, the Victorian Collaborative Centre is described by the government as bringing together cutting-edge mental health research, innovative service delivery and lived experience leadership — to drive system transformation.

The Victorian Collaborative Centre, following the Royal Commission’s recommendation, was given responsibility under law to coordinate learning and professional development across the whole mental health and wellbeing sector. Building on the contribution of the Centre for Mental Health Learning (CMHL), the CMHL’s programs will transition to the Victorian Collaborative Centre and create a single source for mental health learning and development resources across Victoria — a transition intended to give certainty to the mental health workforce.

“The workforce is the backbone of our mental health system and delivering this recommendation will support them to continue developing their skills and deliver the best care possible,” Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said. “The Victorian Collaborative Centre will play a significant role bringing together lived experience, research and innovation to help us grow and develop our world-class mental health workforce.”

The Victorian Collaborative Centre will work closely with local mental health services to ensure their workforces are getting the opportunities they need. It will work to ensure there is no gap in training and development opportunities for the mental health workforce.

You can learn more about the work of the Victorian Collaborative Centre here, via the Victorian Government’s website.

Image credit: iStock.com/SDI Productions ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Mar 2025 14:00:52 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Stroke &#45; How to Recognize, Prevent, and Recover</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/stroke-how-to-recognize-prevent-and-recover</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/stroke-how-to-recognize-prevent-and-recover</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A stroke can turn a normal day into a life-altering emergency. It’s a silent killer—striking suddenly and leaving devastating effects. But here’s the good news: by recognizing the warning signs, understanding risk factors, and committing to a healthier lifestyle, strokes can be prevented and ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Measles: A Lethal Threat We Can Avoid!</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/measles-a-lethal-threat-we-can-avoid</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/measles-a-lethal-threat-we-can-avoid</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Measles is as infectious as possible, spreading like wildfire through the air when a carrier sneezes or coughs. The best protection? Immunization! The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and it&#039;s already saved countless lives around the globe. But since vaccination rates have dropped, we must mobilize and ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Metabolic Syndrome: The Silent Warning Sign</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/metabolic-syndrome-the-silent-warning-sign</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/metabolic-syndrome-the-silent-warning-sign</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Are you at risk of metabolic syndrome? It has become increasingly common. Understanding what it is, why it is happening, and how it can be managed is important. Read below to get a basic understanding of metabolic syndrome, warning signs, risk factors, and treatment moderations. There is a study ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Phone: A Germ Hotspot You Carry Everywhere</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/phone-a-germ-hotspot-you-carry-everywhere</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/phone-a-germ-hotspot-you-carry-everywhere</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Your phone is 20 times dirtier than a public toilet seat, with thousands of bacteria lurking on its surface—1 in 6 even carries harmful germs like E. coli! Clean it daily with a dry cloth and do a deep clean a few times a week. While phones don&amp; ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hormonal Imbalance in Men: The Silent Energy Killer You Can’t Ignore</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/hormonal-imbalance-in-men-the-silent-energy-killer-you-cant-ignore</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/hormonal-imbalance-in-men-the-silent-energy-killer-you-cant-ignore</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Do you think hormones cause mood swings in women only?It is not just a women’s thing! Men have hormones too and when it goes out of balance, your mood, your energy, and even your fitness are on a toss. Feel sluggish? Moody? Not just yourself? Maybe ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Reducing Cost and Improving Outcomes of Chronic Wound Care</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/reducing-cost-and-improving-outcomes-of-chronic-wound-care</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/reducing-cost-and-improving-outcomes-of-chronic-wound-care</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  The number of Australians living with chronic wounds is rising and becoming a significant public health issue. Embracing innovation can help overcome this challenge.

A Growing Public Health Issue

An estimated 450,000 Australians are suffering from chronic wounds and the public healthcare cost of treating these wounds reaching over $6.6 billion every year1. As the average age of those with hard-to-heal wounds is 60 and over2, and with Australia’s ageing population, the forecasted burden to the healthcare budget will continue to grow.

There is also a substantial personal cost of living with chronic wounds. Not only is there an estimated out-of-pocket expense of $4,000 a year, but living with a chronic wound can also severely impact a person’s quality of life, causing long-term pain, decreased mobility, and reduced physical and mental well-being3.

Costs Loaded in Hospitalisation and Nursing Time

It would come as no surprise to wound care clinicians that most of the costs associated with treating chronic wounds are not in healthcare consumables, but with the costs associated with hospitalisation and community nursing. A European study found that up to 85% of the total cost of treating a chronic wound could be attributed to hospital admissions and nursing time4. A UK study also found that 81% of total wound care costs to the NHS are primarily driven by community nurse visits and follow-up healthcare assistant visits5. An Australian study also reported that patients living with leg ulcers needed support from an average of three (with a range of two to seven) healthcare providers involved in their care6.

Microbial Bioburden: Disruptor to Healing

A chronic wound can be defined as a wound that fails to progress through the phases of healing in an orderly and timely process within four weeks7. Biofilm infection can be found in up to 80%8 of chronic wounds and is a significant factor in delayed healing9.

Biofilm microbes are formed as complex structures, embedded in a protective matrix, that adhere to surfaces and are protected from the immune system and many antimicrobial agents. Wound biofilm can cause chronic inflammation and impaired healing. The host immune system fails to remove biofilm components, leading to delayed wound closure and weakened tissue regeneration9,10.

Current Standard for Treating Chronic Wounds

To facilitate healing, it is accepted practice to debride the slough and devitalised tissue and remove the biofilm. This then prepares the wound bed and fosters an environment conducive to healing. Physical removal of wound biofilm through surgical or conservative sharp debridement are the current mainstays of treatment10.

Some debridement methods can, however, present a challenge in the community setting. They can require specialist training, repetitive treatments or even hospitalisation. Without complete removal, the microbial bioburden in a wound can continue to disrupt the healing process, necessitating further treatments and ongoing care10.

This then impacts the direct costs involved in delivering care, including ongoing nursing time, healthcare consumables, hospital admissions, potential emergency visits, and even surgical costs. To help resolve this growing problem, we can look to innovation to support strained budgets and reduce patient suffering.

Innovation in Wound Debridement

Debridement using a Topical Desiccating Agent is a pioneering solution that has been recognised internationally as an accepted adjunct method to wound debridement and is included in the International Journal of Wound Care, Best Practice for Wound Debridement 2024 Consensus Document9.

Topical Desiccating Agent DEBRICHEM® completely removes the microbial bioburden in infected, non-surgical wounds with a single, rapid application. It works by drawing out moisture from the biofilm which has a high-water (97%) content, generating an exothermic reaction and causing microbial death11.

After application, the precipitate and biofilm slough off over several days, preparing the wound for healing. Complete removal of the microbial bioburden allows the wound to continue towards a normal healing trajectory11.

Benefits and Results

DEBRICHEM is a single-use medical device with a contact time of only 60 seconds. With over 90% of cases requiring just one application, this procedure does not require specialist certification and can be applied in any healthcare setting by a healthcare professional11.

A UK study on venous leg ulcer management compared DEBRICHEM plus standard of care (SOC) to SOC alone and found:


	75% increase in the probability of healing
	59% reduction in nursing and healthcare assistant visits
	&gt;90% reduction in hospital admissions and emergency visits
	overall, 57% reduction in total NHS wound management costs
	 


Most importantly, improvements in patient quality of life were also observed10.

Ready to Embrace Innovation in Wound Care?

DEBRICHEM presents a unique opportunity to address the challenge ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:04:13 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
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<title>Healthcare jobs rising:&amp;amp;nbsp;key learnings from a job site&amp;amp;#39;s data</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/healthcare-jobs-risingkey-learnings-from-a-job-sites-data</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/healthcare-jobs-risingkey-learnings-from-a-job-sites-data</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  Indeed data highlights that the healthcare sector is one of our country’s biggest drivers of employment. In fact, over the past year, around 57% of Australia’s job gains came from healthcare and social assistance alone. Yet, despite these figures, tens of thousands of healthcare roles remain unfilled across Australia — a fact that’s unlikely to come as a surprise to anyone working in the industry.

Also highlighted by the data is that registered nurses and disability support workers remain among the hardest positions to fill, consistently ranking in the top 10 vacancies across states. New South Wales is experiencing a particularly significant demand for registered nurses, while Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania are also reporting high numbers of job postings in health care — from clinical nurses to general practitioners.

Beyond doctors and nurses, the allied health sector is also facing mounting workforce challenges. Physiotherapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs) and other allied health professionals are in high demand across the board as Australia’s ageing population and an increasing prevalence of chronic conditions drive the need for more rehabilitative and supportive care services.

What the healthcare industry can expect

It’s clear that competition for skilled healthcare professionals is intensifying — making it more important than ever for healthcare employers to focus on attracting and retaining top talent. This demand is almost certain to remain high in the next few years and beyond, driven both by an ageing population and strong population growth generally. In fact, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows Australia’s population growth is currently sitting at a healthy 2.1% — up from just 0.1% at the peak of COVID-19 — influenced by a combination of overseas migration and new births.

Adding to this, our population is currently older than it’s ever been before, with around 29% of people aged 55 or older. As Australia’s population continues to grow and age, our healthcare needs are only going to increase — placing even more pressure on our healthcare workforce across the country. And as young families and new migrants increasingly seek affordable housing opportunities in regional areas, the demand for healthcare in these communities will escalate.

Regional hospitals, clinics and allied health services will need to compete with those in larger cities to attract and retain skilled health professionals — a considerable challenge in an already competitive labour market. In addition to this, a growing cohort of older Australians will drive greater demand for aged care and home care services, chronic disease management, preventative health programs and rehabilitative care.

Allied health fields like PT, OT and speech pathology can also expect to see increased demand, with an ageing population inevitably leading to higher rates of chronic health conditions, disability and age-related illnesses, all of which will likely require allied health support to maintain independence and quality of life. At the same time, rising awareness and diagnosis of mental health conditions and neurodiversity across all age groups will further increase the need for certain allied health services, with psychologists, OTs and speech pathologists likely to be in hot demand.

How healthcare employers can attract talent

Findings from a recent Indeed survey reveal Australian employees’ top priority for 2025 is to boost their earning capacity — unsurprising in a persistent cost-of-living crisis and uncertain economy. This suggests that when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, salary remains the biggest influencing factor. Employers should therefore aim to review pay regularly to ensure competitiveness, particularly in allied health fields where private roles may offer higher remuneration than public or not-for-profit sectors.

Including pay information in job ads can also help attract talent. In fact, survey data revealed 65% of job seekers believe salary transparency is essential in a job ad. Compared to other industries, healthcare employers tend to rank high for salary transparency — in 2024, around 61% of nursing job ads included pay information — but if the labour market continues to tighten, this number may well increase as healthcare employers seek to stand out from their competitors.

What those entering the industry can expect

For those considering a career in health care — whether school-leavers or those looking to switch careers — the current job market presents a wealth of opportunity. Health care is, and will continue to be, one of Australia’s most stable industries, with demand for skilled professionals only set to increase in the next five years and beyond. Nursing and medical graduates can expect strong employment prospects across the board, with growing demand in regional areas. Allied health graduates can likely expect the same, particularly in PT, OT and mental health service ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:04:09 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>AdPha releases strategic plan towards &amp;amp;#39;pharmacy in 2030&amp;amp;#39;</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/adpha-releases-strategic-plan-towards-pharmacy-in-2030</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/adpha-releases-strategic-plan-towards-pharmacy-in-2030</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has released Yindyamarra 2030 — its strategic plan to 2030, a forward vision for pharmacy based in and around Australian hospitals. Designed to support practitioners at every career stage and foster interdisciplinary excellence to improve team-based patient care, the plan evolves through three two-year horizons towards a more inclusive and collaborative pharmacy community.

It builds on 84 years of history, to support a new generation through community, connection, recognition and training. “Excellence isn’t defined by location, and AdPha represents advanced pharmacy as a contemporary concept meeting the needs of each patient, regardless of their place, their care setting or their vulnerabilities,” AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&amp;Mgmt) said.

“Yindyamarra 2030 turns this ethos into a blueprint, charting our vision for Australian pharmacy based in and around our hospitals that sees pharmacists and technicians fully integrated into interdisciplinary care teams, with the patient at the heart of everything they do,” Simpson said, adding that the six-year plan envisions all Australian pharmacy practitioners as recognised and respected for their complementary skills and collegiate partnerships.

“What this means in practice is programs, peer networks, education, events, resources and development opportunities wrap around each member from their days as a student, through their early career into leadership, generalist and specialty positions,” Simpson said. “Through this bold plan, AdPha continues as a driving force and professional partner of pharmacists and technicians, from students and trainees to innovators and leaders.”

The plan is available to read here, via the AdPha website.

Image credit: iStock.com/FatCamera ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:04:06 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Nominations are open for Australia&amp;amp;#39;s nursing trailblazers</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/nominations-are-open-for-australias-nursing-trailblazers</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/nominations-are-open-for-australias-nursing-trailblazers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[  Until 31 March, nominations are open for the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers. Coordinated by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and established in partnership with the Australian Government, the award celebrates and recognises nurses who are leading transformative change and reshaping health care in Australia — highlighting the pivotal role nurses play in driving healthcare innovation.

“Their pioneering contributions flow across the entire health system, benefiting patients and communities all over the country,” ACN Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN said. “Previous winners have led the way with practical solutions in diverse areas such as mental health recovery camps, needle-phobia avoidance, street health services for the vulnerable and disadvantaged, ‘virtual’ hospitals in the home, and palliative care services in residential aged care facilities.

“These trailblazing ideas are now part of the health system — saving lives, improving lives, and providing comfort to people needing special care, and their families,” Zeitz added. “If you know a nurse doing new and outstanding things in health care, their work deserves recognition. It’s time for you to nominate them for this prestigious Award.”

Eligible nominees include registered nurses, nurse practitioners and enrolled nurses whose work has significantly advanced health outcomes. The award honours innovators who develop, explore and implement new ways to advance the nursing profession, address gaps in health care and improve patient outcomes. The winner will be announced at the ACN National Nursing Forum in Canberra, 23–25 July 2025.

Nominations close on Monday, 31 March 2025 and the application form can be found here, via the ACN website.

Image credit: iStock.com/digitalskillet ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:04:04 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
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<item>
<title>Slow Cooker Short Ribs</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/slow-cooker-short-ribs</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/slow-cooker-short-ribs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Slow Cooker Short Ribs by A Healthy Life For Me.
 […]
A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:59 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Healthy Pumpkin Bread</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/healthy-pumpkin-bread</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/healthy-pumpkin-bread</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Healthy Pumpkin Bread by A Healthy Life For Me.
 […]
A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Pork Shoulder with Fig Sauce</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/pork-shoulder-with-fig-sauce</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/pork-shoulder-with-fig-sauce</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Pork Shoulder with Fig Sauce by A Healthy Life For Me.
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A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Apple Cake</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/apple-cake</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/apple-cake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Apple Cake by A Healthy Life For Me.
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A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Pumpkin Cake</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/pumpkin-cake</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/pumpkin-cake</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Pumpkin Cake by A Healthy Life For Me.
 […]
A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>Paleo Pumpkin Bread</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/paleo-pumpkin-bread</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/paleo-pumpkin-bread</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Paleo Pumpkin Bread by A Healthy Life For Me.
 […]
A Healthy Life For Me - Cooking, Gardening and Living a Healthy Life ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:56 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
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<item>
<title>cells target paediatric sarcomas</title>
<link>https://oojoole.com/natural-killer-cells-target-paediatric-sarcomas</link>
<guid>https://oojoole.com/natural-killer-cells-target-paediatric-sarcomas</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Paediatric sarcomas, including Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, represent 5–10% of all childhood cancers and are responsible for more deaths than brain cancer, melanoma, leukaemia and lymphoma — with patients in advanced stages of the disease having an approximately 20% five-year survival rate. Now, a team led by Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes of the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Frazer Institute has developed a new therapeutic strategy that uses engineered immune cells, called natural killer cells, to target and destroy sarcoma tumours.

“Sarcomas can metastasise from the tumour to other parts of the body like lungs or brain, making the disease hard to cure. It is brutal and among the leading cause of death in Queensland children suffering from solid cancers,” Guimaraes said. “Research into these cancers has been underdeveloped and underfunded. This has the potential to be lifesaving and life changing for many patients.” It is also believed that the treatment could have impact on other hard-to-cure diseases such as triple negative breast cancer.

Associate Professor Wayne Nicholls, who is Clinical Director at UQ’s Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research and Director of Oncology Services at Queensland Children’s Hospital, said the research was very promising and addressed an unmet need. “Sarcoma is the biggest killer of people aged 10 to 30,” Nicholls said. “These cancers are harder to treat with a poorer prognosis and there has been no improvement in survival for 40 years.” Nicholls added: “At the moment, there are really no novel therapies available for paediatric solid tumours. This is a significant step forward towards a novel therapy that could be used for patients.”

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‘Enhancement of anti-sarcoma immunity by NK cells engineered with mRNA for expression of a EphA2-targeted CAR’, a 2025 paper on this research, has been published open access in Clinical and Translational Medicine and you can read it at doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.70140.

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Image credit: iStock.com/luismmolina ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:08 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>banibit</dc:creator>
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