This issue includes items on COVID-19, the Fourth Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation, World Hand Hygiene Day, quality improvement, digital technologies, nursing care, patient and clinician notes, diagnosis, METs and more.

Also covered are the latest issues of Patient Experience Journal and Healthcare Papers, along with the latest online papers from BMJ Quality and Safety and the International Journal for Quality in Health Care and the latest from the UK’s NICE and NIHR and the USA’s AHRQ.

This discussion paper was drafted to support public consultation on the use of opioid analgesics in emergency departments, perioperative and surgical services. The Commission was also interested in learning more about education and training for prescribers of opioid analgesics. Feedback from this consultation was used to inform the development of a National Opioid Analgesic Stewardship Program. 

Consultation is now closed.

The IV-WISE tool provides key discussion points for clinicians and patients to help involve patients in their care and prevent PIVC-related complications.

This fact sheet explains how the standard applies in all healthcare settings where PIVCs may be inserted or managed.

This patient information sheet provides helpful information to patients about how to avoid problems and stay as comfortable as possible with their cannula. 

On 28 April 2021, the Commission released the Fourth Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation.