Australian calculator predicts long COVID risk and more briefs

Online calculator predicts long COVID risk

A COVID-19 risk calculator developed by a group of universities in Australia can now also determine a person's risk of developing long COVID.

The obstinate condition, which reportedly affects at least 65 million people worldwide, is commonly characterised by fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath. 

Introduced in 2021, the online calculator can now provide a personalised risk assessment of developing long COVID six months after infection. It takes into account the following factors: age, sex, comorbidities, vaccination status, number of previous infections and use of antiviral medications. 

"Health managers and individuals, in conjunction with clinicians, can use the risk assessment tool for shared decision making on vaccination, infection-avoidant behaviours, and pursuing early treatment during acute infection," shared Dr Kirsty Short, an associate professor from the University of Queensland, which is part of the group that developed the calculator. 

ADHA enables FHIR-based integration with PCA

The Australian Digital Health Agency's Provider Connect Australia service has been updated to enable its integration with clinical information systems.

The service, which helps healthcare providers update their business information in a single place, can now be integrated with CIS via a SMART on FHIR interface.  

The PCA is also foundational to the upcoming HIE being developed by ADHA. The updated business information on its portal will be used to create the HIE's consolidated directory of healthcare providers and practitioners in Australia. 

Clintel integrates medical management into CareRight 

Clintel Systems has announced the integration of electronic medication management into its web-based hospital software, CareRight.  

Based on a media release, the company partnered with Compact Systems Australia to enable providers using CareRight to seamlessly access emma, a digital solution for medication management and dose administration. 

"The integration shares valuable information across both platforms including PRN effectiveness, nurse-initiated medications, patient profile, patient IHI, weights, temperature, pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation," Clintel noted.

University of Otago's virtual rural health education centre goes live

The University of Otago has established a virtual centre for training New Zealand's future rural health workforce. 

According to a media release, the centre, which does not have a dedicated physical site, brings together the university's Department of General Practice and Rural Health and the Rural Health Academic Centre Ashburton under one umbrella. 

It will serve as the university's rural health unit, primarily supporting teaching and research in rural New Zealand.