eviQ Cancer Treatments Online: Providing evidence-based information to improve cancer patient outcomes.

AIM: To understand the current usage of eviQ Cancer Treatments Online (www.eviQ.org.au), an Australian, open-access website providing evidence-based and consensus-driven cancer treatment protocols and information, and the extent to which it is meeting its intended outcomes and providing value to its users. METHODS: A mixed-method evaluation was conducted in 2020-2022 which included a review of key program documentation and website usage data, and delivery of a focused online survey to its users. RESULTS: In 2022, 329 clinicians representing all Australian states and territories contributed to eviQ content development and review. eviQ content continues to grow with a 15.2% increase in total content from 2019 to 2022.  eviQ website users continue to grow with 90,000 total monthly users in 2022, representing a 166% increase from 2018. The proportion of international users compared to Australian users continues to grow with 57% of total users in Australia and 43% international in 2022. Of 466 survey responses, the most cited reason for eviQ use was for information on side effects/toxicity (67%). Ninety-three percent (93%) of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that eviQ contributed to both health professionals providing the best evidence-based treatment and care and improving the standardization of treatment and care provided. CONCLUSION:  eviQ is embedded in Australian clinical practice, highly valued, and relied upon by users. Users agree that eviQ has a positive impact on patients by supporting the delivery of evidence-based treatment and that eviQ contributed to patients' improved health outcomes and quality of life. eviQ's increasing international usage should be explored.

Effect of Pseudomonas colonisation on lower limb venous ulcer healing: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacillus that commonly colonises lower limb venous ulcers. Its effects on venous ulcer healing are widely debated. It produces exotoxins and elastase, as well as forming biofilms in hard-to-heal wounds. It is postulated that these virulence factors lead to slower healing times in patients with lower limb venous ulcers colonised with Pseudomonas. This review aimed to summarise the available evidence pertaining to this topic. METHOD: A systematic review was performed in August 2019, where the Pubmed, Cochrane and Embase databases were searched for relevant literature according to PRISMA guidelines. Retrospective and prospective studies examining the effect of Pseudomonas colonisation on any measure of ulcer healing were included. RESULTS: Some 282 articles were screened, of which seven studies including 491 patients were ultimately included for analysis. Of these, no study demonstrated a significant association between Pseudomonas colonisation and delayed healing of venous ulcers. In five of the seven studies, the effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on initial ulcer size at presentation was recorded. CONCLUSION: All the studies demonstrated an association between ulcer size and the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While Pseudomonas aeruginosa may colonise larger ulcers or those with a worse prognosis, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that this colonisation had a negative impact on lower limb venous ulcer healing.

Outcomes of Acute Limb Ischaemia in Patients with Underlying Malignancy: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated amputation and mortality rates to be 14.3% - 30% and 11.4% - 28.9%, respectively, for all patients presenting with acute limb ischaemia (ALI). Rates of ALI are higher in patients with malignancy than in those without. Despite this, there remains uncertainty with regards to the most appropriate management for patients with cancer presenting with ALI. This is because of previously published high rates of associated morbidity and mortality in this population. The aim of this review was to summarise the available evidence reporting on outcomes of ALI in patients with underlying malignancy. METHOD: A systematic review was performed in August 2020 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched with the following search string ((acute limb ischaemia) OR (acute limb ischemia)) AND ((cancer) OR (malignancy)). A total of 849 papers were identified and reviewed; six studies were included. Studies were assessed for bias using the National Institute of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool. Data including demographics, Rutherford classification, baseline performance scores, method of revascularisation, and peri-procedural outcomes were extracted and analysed. Data were pooled based on outcomes of interest and pooled prevalence was reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Six studies with 284 patients with cancer were included for analysis. The pooled overall risk of amputation was 15% (95% CI 5.9 - 26.9). The pooled 30 day mortality rate was 24% (95% CI 14.7 - 34.6). CONCLUSION: Despite limitations of interstudy selection bias and some clinical heterogeneity, the included studies demonstrated acceptable short and medium term outcomes for patients with cancer undergoing revascularisation for acute limb ischaemia. This is in line with current recommendations that patients with underlying malignancy should be considered strongly for revascularisation.

Open repair of a type II endoleak facilitated by temporary disconnection of graft components.

Endoleaks are a frequent indication for reintervention after endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Here we present a method of open repair of a persistent type II endoleak involving graft component separation and reconstruction, in a patient with symptomatic interval aneurysmal sac enlargement despite endovascular coiling and embolization. This case report demonstrates an alternative open technique of endograft component separation and reconstruction that may be required in cases where open repair with sac exploration and vessel oversewing is hindered by the graft position.

An international experience of electronic communication and implementation of eHealth solutions in a vascular surgery clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Communication is key to any successful relationship with the patient-physician partnership being no different. Recent advances in technology have provided us with an array of new communication tools such as the mobile phone, computer, internet, and email. This new technology has revolutionized communications; however, limitations to their widespread use include access, literacy, and willingness for both the physician and patient to change. METHODS: To gather international data, questionnaires were completed by patients attending vascular surgery outpatient clinics in hospitals in Ireland and Canada. RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-seven patients participated in the study. Of the participants, 83.2% were over 50 years old. The mean age was 63.1 years, with a range of 18-95 years. Overall, home phone call was the most preferred method of communication with 41.0% of patients selecting this option. Of the patients, 82.4% had a mobile phone but just 48.5% use text message. In those over the age of 70, 72.1% use a mobile phone and just 25.3% use text message. Of the participants, 64.1% had access to a computer, and 67.2% had access to the internet with a decline in the usage of both with increasing age. DISCUSSION: Within this patient population, the use of technologies decreases with increasing age of the patients. This demonstrates a large population of service users who are contented with conventional methods of communication. Change within healthcare ICT is inevitable, and therefore, these patients need to be guided and educated to allow a smooth transition from the old to the new.

Subcutaneous sacrococcygeal myxopapillary ependymoma misdiagnosed as pilonidal disease.

Ependymomas are neoplasms which arise from the radial glial cells, which many recent studies have proposed are neural stem cells. Extracranial ependymomas are rare. We present the case report and supporting multimedia of a 37-year-old man who presented with a painless intergluteal swelling which was diagnosed clinically as a pilonidal cyst. However, on excision, he was found to have a subcutaneous sacrococcygeal myxopapillary ependymoma based on histological findings. His management and follow-up are presented and discussed. Given the rare nature of this condition, there is a lack of published guidelines on management and follow-up protocols. Supporting evidence is limited to sporadic case reports. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and management strategies adopted supported by the best available evidence.

Dose modification for haematological toxicity: a survey of Australian medical oncologists.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supporting dose modifications to reduce serious treatment-related adverse events of antineoplastic therapy is limited and frequently based on clinical trial protocols, which are not always generalisable to community patients. eviQ is an online resource with treatment protocols and recommendations for dose modification formulated by expert opinion and evidence-based review. Original recommended haematological thresholds to delay treatment were: neutrophil count <1.5 × 109 /L and platelet count <100 × 109 /L. AIMS: To evaluate the current practices of Australian medical oncologists with regard to haematological dose modifications for antineoplastic treatments, and to determine rates of adherence to eviQ recommendations. METHODS: An online survey regarding haematological dose modifications was distributed to over 400 Medical Oncology Group of Australia members and eviQ medical oncology reference committee members via email. Responses were collated on 18 December 2017. RESULTS: Of 153 respondents, 67% indicated that they did not follow the eviQ haematological dose modification guidelines; 8% delayed curative intent treatment at neutrophil counts <1.5 × 109 /L, compared with 36% for palliative treatment; most delayed treatment at neutrophil counts <1.0 × 109 /L (94% curative and 97% palliative respectively). 70% of clinicians delayed palliative treatment at platelet counts <100 × 109 /L, compared to 34% with curative treatment. No respondents indicated the original haematological cut-off levels were too aggressive. CONCLUSION: The majority of responding medical oncologists indicated that they did not follow the eviQ haematological dose modification guidelines, which were viewed as too conservative. Subsequent to this survey, eviQ reviewed and updated haematological dose modification recommendations.