Australia's public sector medical indemnity claims 2009-10
This report presents data on the number, nature and costs of public sector medical indemnity claims for 2005-06 to 2009-10, with a focus on 2009-10 claims. There were more new claims in 2009-10 (1,620) than in any of the three previous years (about 1,130 to 1,270 claims per year). As in previous years, the three health services most often implicated were Emergency department, General surgery and Obstetrics.
Public and private sector medical indemnity claims in Australia 2009-10
This report presents information on public and private sector medical indemnity claims for 2009-10. There were 9,415 medical indemnity claims open at some point during the year, including 2,900 new claims. A total of 2,647 claims were closed during the year. The main clinician specialties allegedly involved in the incidents giving rise to claims were General practice and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Cervical screening in Australia 2009-2010
Cervical screening in Australia 2009-2010 presents the latest national statistics monitoring the National Cervical Screening Program, which aims to reduce incidence, morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer.About 57% of women in the target age group of 20-69 took part in the program, with more than 3.6 million women screened in 2009 and 2010. Cervical cancer incidence in this age group remains at a historical low of 9 new cases per 100,000 women, and deaths are also low, historically and by international standards, at 2 deaths per 100,000 women.
Australian hospital statistics 2010-11
Australian hospital statistics 2010-11 presents a detailed overview of Australia's public and private hospitals. In 2010-11, there were 8.9 million separations from hospitals including: 4.9 million same-day acute separations; 3.5 million overnight acute separations; and about 367,000 sub-acute and non-acute separations. There were also 7.7 million non-admitted patient emergency services and almost 43 million outpatient services provided by public hospitals.
Australia's hospitals 2010-11 at a glance
Australia's hospitals 2010-11 at a glance provides information on Australia's 1,340 public and private hospitals. In 2010-11, there were 8.9 million hospitalisations, including 2.2 million admissions involving surgery. Public hospitals provided 7.7 million non-admitted patient emergency services, with 70% of patients seen within recommended times for their triage category. This publication is a companion to Australian hospital statistics 2010-11.
Younger people with disability in residential aged care: 2010-11
This bulletin presents data on the Younger People with Disability in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) initiative, which aims to reduce the number of people with disability aged under 65 who live in residential aged care. Between 2005-06 and 2010-11, an estimated 1,432 people have been helped, including 250 who have been moved out of residential aged care and into accommodation that better suits their situation, 244 who were successfully diverted away from entering residential aged care, and 456 who were provided with enhanced services while in residential aged care.
A working guide to international comparisons of health
Comparisons of health between countries are popular and useful, and often attract media attention. This guide highlights the types of questions to ask before comparing countries and when presenting health data in an international context.
Dental health of Indigenous children in the Northern Territory: progress of the Closing the Gap Child Oral Health Program
This Bulletin presents information on the oral health status of Indigenous children who received dental services under the Northern Territory Closing the Gap Child Oral Health Program. Between August 2007 and December 2011 more than 8,000 children were provided with over 14,000 dental services through the program. About 56% of children who received a dental service were treated for at least one oral health problem. The most commonly treated problem was dental caries (52%). Of the children who received a dental service over a 6 month period between 1 January and 30 June 2011, 82% had a dental caries experience with an average of 4.5 caries per child.Analysis of a sample of children who received more than one dental service showed that about 60% of children who received treatment for dental caries at their first dental service did not require treatment for the same condition at their most recent dental service, highlighting an improvement in their oral health status.
AIHW Access no. 32, April 2012
Access is a newsletter published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, profiling the Institute's work and its people.
Social and emotional wellbeing: development of a children's headline indicator
A child's social and emotional wellbeing is integral to their overall health, development and wellbeing. Children with high levels of social and emotional wellbeing are more likely to successfully negotiate physical, intellectual and social challenges during childhood and adolescence.This report describes the process of developing a Children's Headline Indicator to measure social and emotional wellbeing. It presents research evidence on the links between social and emotional wellbeing and children's health, development and wellbeing outcomes; assesses potential indicators and data sources; and recommends an indicator of social and emotional wellbeing for Australian children.
Specialist Homelessness Services Collection: first results, September quarter 2011
Each year many Australians experience homelessness or find themselves in circumstances of risk of becoming homeless. This report presents the first quarterly results of the new Specialist Homelessness Services Collection. This collection replaces the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program National Data Collection which collected data on homelessness service provision by Australian governments since 1996.
Oral health and use of dental services 2008: findings from the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey 2008
This publication presents results from the sixth National Dental Telephone Interview Survey, conducted in 2008. It reports on self-reported oral health status and impacts of oral conditions of Australian adults. Key results on dental visiting, receipt of services and financial barriers to dental care are features of this report.
Risk factors contributing to chronic disease
Chronic diseases are responsible for a large portion of the disease burden in Australia, and many are highly preventable by reducing known risk factors. This report shows that:Most people have at least one risk factor and more than 90% do not consume enough vegetables.Social disadvantage is associated with risky health behaviours.Nearly 60%of Australians do not undertake sufficient levels of physical activity, and many of us (almost 80%) usually spend 3 or more hours sitting during our leisure time.
Medical workforce 2010
The supply of employed medical practitioners increased between 2006 and 2010, from 346 to 366 full-time equivalent practitioners per 100,000 population. The increase reflected a 13% rise in practitioner numbers. The gender balance continued to shift, with women making up 37% of practitioners in 2010 compared to 34% in 2006. The average hours worked each week by medical practitioners declined slightly from 43.5 to 43.3 hours. The group with the longest average hours worked per week was Specialists-in-training at 49.9 hours, while General practitioners averaged 39.2 hours a week.
Cancer incidence projections, Australia 2011 to 2020
This report presents detailed projections of cancer incidence in Australia for 2011 to 2020. These projections are based on trends in national cancer incidence data from 1982 to 2007. It shows the number of cases of cancer diagnosed in Australia each year is projected to rise over the next decade for both males and females, and is expected to reach about 150,000 in 2020, with prostate and breast cancer continuing to be the most common cancers diagnosed in men and women respectively.
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program monitoring report: phase 2, July 2008- June 2011
This report presents statistics on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program for Australians invited to take part between July 2008 and June 2011. Just over 800,000 people were screened in that time, with about 60,000 found to require further assessment. One out of every 11 colonoscopies performed for further assessment detected and removed an advanced adenoma (pre-cancerous lesion), and a cancer was detected in 1 out of every 33 colonoscopies. However, this represents only a partial picture of outcomes due to incomplete reporting.
Comorbidity of mental disorders and physical conditions 2007
This report investigates the prevalence of mental illness in association with common chronic diseases and shows that in 2007: 12% of Australians aged 16-85 had a mental disorder and a physical condition at the same time; the most common comorbidity was anxiety disorder combined with a physical condition, affecting around 1.4 million (9%) Australian adults; people living in the most disadvantaged areas of Australia were 65% more likely to have comorbidity than those living in the least disadvantaged areas.
Juvenile detention population in Australia 2011
On an average day, around 1,000 young people are detained throughout Australia. This report provides information on the demographics and legal status of those in detention and explores recent trends.
Dental health behaviours among children 2002-2004: the use of fluoride toothpaste, fluoride tablets and drops, and fluoride mouthrinse
This report from a study of almost 17,500 children from four Australian states (Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania) shows that more than 99% of children brushed their teeth with toothpaste, with more than two-thirds brushing the recommended 2 times per day. About 10% of children had used fluoride tablets or drops, and the majority used them for less than 3 years. The use of a fluoride mouthrinse was more common among older children.
Child protection Australia 2010–11
This report contains comprehensive information on state and territory child protection and support services, and the characteristics of Australian children within the child protection system.Key findings include: Since 2009-10, the number of children subject to a notification decreased by 13% from 187,314 to 163,767Since 2006-07, the number of children subject to a substantiation of a notification has decreased by 7% from 34,028 to 31,527 (6.9 to 6.1 per 1,000 children)The number of children in out-of-home care has increased by 5% from 35,895 in 2010 to 37,648 in 2011.
Monitoring acute coronary syndrome using national hospital data: An information paper on trends and issues
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refers to the spectrum of acute coronary artery diseases spanning acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina (UA). They are sudden, severe and life-threatening events.This report reviews the current algorithm for monitoring the incidence of ACS in Australia, presenting a detailed analysis of hospitalisations for AMI and UA. It also presents a range of alternative algorithms for the estimation of ACS incidence. Further work is required to validate these algorithms.