News - 2003
Look, no paper!
The Children's Hospital at Westmead is expanding the Hospital's electronic patient record to include paperless medical records with a system from NSW software company TOWER Technology.
The Hospital has taken a leap forward by going live with a new system that captures the paper patient record as electronic images and makes this available instantly across the hospital and remotely. This enhances the existing electronic health record that allows for online order entry for pathology tests and x-rays, results viewing as well as integrating electronic systems at the bedside in Intensive Care and the Emergency Department, discharge summaries and letters. The Hospital has also been a leader in providing clinicians with on-line digital x-ray images since 1995. The addition of document imaging capabilities will allow doctors to have a single integrated patient view of all new and historical information by computer.
"Circle of Friends"
Westfield Shoppingtown, Parramatta, is the venue for a new donor recruiting drive run by The Children's Hospital at Westmead from June 7 to June 15.
Staff from Cornucopia Consultancy - developers of the fundraising program - will act as authorised Hospital "Ambassadors". These Ambassadors will be located at a Children's Hospital stand providing information and assistance to donors who want to support the Hospital's "Circle of Friends" monthly pledge program.
"Lap Top Library" for sick kids
The "Lap Top Library" is the latest craze at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Kids stuck in bed all day can now escape to a world of computer software, games and imagination thanks to the Rotary Club of Prospect (NSW). The club has made available a number of lap top computers for use by patients and the kids are certainly putting them to good use.
In particular, recognising the needs of long term and/or terminally ill young patients, the initial computers have been placed on wards where children are likely to stay longer. This includes our renal and cardiac wards.
Skills and dedication captured forever
As part of The Children's Hospital at Westmead's celebrations for International Nurses Day, a series of 15 photographs are being displayed, capturing the various specialities of paediatric nursing. The photographs showcase the role of nurses in the provision of first class nursing care, highlighting the skills, compassion and expertise of each nurse.
The photographs have been taken over recent weeks including a variety of nurses with some of the patients for whom they are caring. The photographer, Emmanuel Angelicas, has donated his time to do the project, working on weekends to ensure that it has been completed. Joanna Capon (Honorary Curator) will launch the exhibition.
Spacejunk to hold children's art exhibition to benefit Bear Cottage
Spacejunk, art gallery and clothing store in Manly, will present "My 5 Year Old Could Do That", an exhibition featuring the work of young artists 13 years and under from around Sydney and beyond. The exhibit opens Monday, May 12th and will run to May 25th. Proceeds from this event will benefit Bear Cottage Children's Hospice, Manly.
The talent and skill featured in this exhibit stands on its own merit, but the addition of it benefiting Bear Cottage makes it unique.
Web based database aids Rett syndrome research
Rett syndrome is a complex neurological disorder that is found almost exclusively in females and occurs roughly within one in every 10,000 girls born worldwide. Whilst the disorder is genetic and therefore present at birth, it usually doesn't become evident until after six months of age. Girls with Rett syndrome usually have severe intellectual disability, communication difficulties, inability to use their hands in a purposeful manner, and often experience breathing irregularities, epileptic fits, reduced mobility, scoliosis and growth retardation.
In 1999 researchers in the US discovered the gene responsible for Rett syndrome, called MECP2. Since that time many researchers, including genetic researchers at The Children's Hospital at Westmead have been working to understand why abnormalities in the MECP2 gene cause the disorder, in the hope that it will ultimately lead to a cure. In July 2001, the Hospital launched a web-based database which catalogues alterations (mutations) in the gene responsible for Rett syndrome. The database is the most comprehensive in the world, accessed by both researchers and the general public.
Blood and Bones
A multidisciplinary conference on 27 – 28 May 2003 at The Children's Hospital at Westmead addressing Trauma, Surgery, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation specialties.
At The Children's Hospital at Westmead we recognise the significant advancements that have been made through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach in the care of paediatric trauma, surgical, orthopaedics and rehabilitation patients.
In fact, we've amalgamated care of these patients into one new unit where the specialist attention of multidisciplinary teams is dedicated and directly focussed on these areas of paediatric care.
We are a Hospital committed to teaching and striving to improve the level of paediatric healthcare. As such, you're invited to join us at our Blood and Bones Conference in May. Come along and participate. Hear from and liaise with internationally recognised experts in their field. An interactive program has been designed with many case studies discussed and views and knowledge shared.
Flying for Rett Syndrome
Two Hungarian sportsmen set out to accomplish a daring trip by air from a small town in Hungary (Keszthely) to Sydney, in a self built ultra-light aircraft. One of them is chief pilot Andor Kantas who is a father of 3 children where one is affected by Rett Syndrome.
The aim of the flight is to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome. Mr Kantas and his co-pilot Csongor Latki arrived at Alice Springs on the 19th of January and this week landed safely in Brisbane. They accomplish their 21,000 km trip when they finally arrive at Bankstown Airport Sydney on Thursday, 30 January 2003 at approximately 2 PM.
Some children affected by Rett Syndrome along with their families will be there to greet their heroes to congratulate them and thank them for their amazing efforts by helping to raise awareness and funds for research of this devastating disease.
Kayaking for Kemo Kids - from Brisbane to Sydney
On Sunday 26 January, five kayakers will complete an epic paddling marathon from Brisbane to Sydney to raise money for children's leukaemia research.
Bob Glenister, Mark Elkington, Dave McPherson, Paul Officer and Steve Prasser will have paddled for approximately 1,000 kilometres along Australia's rugged eastern coastline, supported by a volunteer Land Crew team. They will have stopped in 20 coastal towns and staged many fundraising activities and events, raising more than $40,000 in 22 days.
First-aid of minor burns in children found to be inadequate
Researchers at The Children's Hospital at Westmead have recently undertaken a study into the first aid management of minor burns in children presenting at the Hospital's Emergency Department and through the Acute Wound Clinic.
This study, published in the January 6 edition of the Medical Journal of Australia, has provided an interesting insight into the behaviour of burns from any cause including hot water, flames or contact with a hot surface. It highlights that such burns will continue to burn beneath the skin for up to three hours after the wound has been inflicted.
Cooling the burnt area with running tap water decreases this effect and may even save the child from needing an operation such as a skin graft. However, the researchers showed that burn wound cooling is generally inadequate even by many GPs, medical centres, paramedics and hospitals. In fact, only 22 per cent of children were given adequate first aid treatment in the first instance by the parent or carer.
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