Monash Health Library Newsletter

As the National COVID-19 Taskforce passed its 12 month anniversary, living guidelines were updated on the timing of surgery following COVID-19 infection, VTE prophylaxis for adults and tocilizumab for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Since April 2020, the Taskforce has developed more than 135 evidence based guidelines thanks to volunteered hours from leading experts. Listen to this podcast from Infection Control Matters for more information about the Taskforce’s operations and achievements.

Social epidemiological study ‘COVID-19 in New York City : an ecology of race and class oppression’ is available from our library catalogue in eBook format. New York City’s spread of COVID-19 becomes a study in health disparities and is essential reading for social epidemiologists, researchers of health disparities and infectious disease specialists.

Selected COVID-19 articles:

• With more nations limiting the use of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, it is important to remember these decisions should be viewed in reference to a nation’s risk-benefit equation, taking into account availability of other vaccines. This article in BMJ comments on the UK situation.  
• A multi-centre study published in Annals of Surgery examines the yield of RT-PCR and CT screening in preoperative, asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. The value of CT screening was negligible while RT-PCR found infection in 1/100 asymptomatic patients.
• Changes in Stress and Workplace Shortages Reported by U.S. Critical Care Physicians Treating COVID-19 Patients considers the experiences of critical care physicians caring for the sickest COVID-19 patients as well as detrimental impacts of stress and shortages during the pandemic. 
• A review on the biological features of suicidal vulnerability in Current Psychiatry Reports looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted from a biological aspect, revealing new findings for suicide preventative therapies.

• Habit, time factors, trust and self-efficacy are identified as key determinants for whether university students practice desired hand hygiene and social distancing measures in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, says this article in BMC Public Health.
• MJA feature ‘Beyond the black stump: rapid reviews of health research issues affecting regional, rural and remote Australia’ illustrates very clearly the long term challenges and issues deeply impacting Australian rural health networks and communities.
• Cervical cancer and mortality rates are higher in indigenous communities in both Australia and New Zealand. This recent New Zealand study recorded self-testing as a very effective method of reaching more women than traditional screening.
• Qualitative interview in Annals of Surgery explores patient, caregiver and clinician perceptions on the post-discharge surgery recovery phase. Findings focus on what patients are interested in day-to-day and can be used to improve individualised patient care. 
• Recent randomised control trial published in American Journal of Psychiatry provided suffers of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder with ketamine infusions. The results are a possible breakthrough and may have potential as an effective treatment. The article also discusses current treatment options. 
• Revalidation analysis article in 'Midwifery' targets the established U.S. ‘Weight Related Behaviours Questionnaire’ as a tool for assessing weight increases during pregnancy, effectiveness and applicability from an Australian perspective.
• Aspirin is commonly used in prevention treatment of blood clots, helping reduce occurrence of thrombosis in those deemed high risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis finds going from 1 to 2 daily doses could see a more effective outcome.
• Incorporating cultural humility into teaching and learning processes is supported by ‘Promoting Cultural Humility in Nursing Education Through the Use of Ground Rules’ from Nursing Education Perspectives and the National League for Nursing in the U.S.