Leading in a crisis has been studied and written about in the past. But, leading in a crisis the scale and length of the pandemic has very few publications. Implications for leaders are to lead with confidence and transparency.

What is known about the topic? ICU virtual visiting is increasingly being used as a means of facilitating family visits, but there is a lack of published data on implementation processes and challenges. What does this paper add? Virtual visiting is a feasible alternative to in-person visiting in the ICU, with good acceptance by providers; key challenges include safety and usability of the platform, as well as bandwidth demands. What are the implications for practitioners? Health services need to consider adopting fit-for-purpose virtual visiting solutions, as well as ensuring adequate bandwidth capabilities for this service.

What is known about the topic? Clinical free-text data is an untapped source of rich information which can be used to supplement information captured in structured fields.  However, lack of transparency with existing de-identification software tools makes it difficult to assess potential risks before releasing de-identified free-text for research. What does this paper add? The description of a solution for de-identifying clinical text and a governance process to release de-identified clinical text for secondary use. What are the implications for practitioners? A framework is provided for the de-identification and release of clinical free-text data.

What is known about the topic? The Victorian Stroke Telemedicine program enabled 16 regional Victorian hospitals to provide stroke thrombolysis faster and safer than before. Evidence of the cost-effectiveness of stroke telemedicine in Australia comes largely from simulation modelling. What does this paper add? There was evidence using patient-level data that stroke telemedicine in Victoria was cost-effective. What are the implications for practitioners? These results provide more confidence in supporting wider implementation of stroke telemedicine in Australia.

What is known about the topic? The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently introduced a priority approval pathway and a provisional approval pathway to help ensure that important new medicines reached Australian patients in a timely manner. What does this paper add? Although the medicines approved using priority and provisional pathways are being used by the TGA for about one-third of all new medicine approvals, the majority do not offer any substantial additional therapeutic value over existing medicines. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners should be aware that faster approval of medicines does not necessarily equate to therapeutic innovation.

What is known about the topic? Funding for medications in Australian hospitals is fragmented, with payments split between federal and state governments. What does this paper add? This paper describes the complexities of funding between inpatient and outpatients for blinatumomab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat leukaemia with potentially serious adverse effects. What are the implications for practitioners? The upcoming review of the National Medicines Policy should consider the complexities of medications and their funding, alongside regular Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme review.

What is known about the topic? Unprofessional behaviour is a common issue in hospitals and detrimentally affects staff and patients. There is increased interest in strategies to address unprofessional behaviour. What does this paper add? This article describes Ethos, a program to address unprofessional behaviour and improve organisational culture in Australian hospitals. Key success factors and challenges are considered in implementing Ethos in eight hospitals spanning multiple states and public and private settings. What are the implications for practitioners? The Ethos program includes clinical and non-clinical staff and aims to recognise exceptional actions as well as addressing unprofessional behaviour. It has been developed for the Australian context and adapted to ensure sustainability. Other hospitals can utilise the program as well as learn from its implementation.

What is known about the topic? Using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in clinical care has a wide range of benefits, but there is little guidance on how best to systematically implement PROMs systems in routine care. What does this paper add? This study documented patient-level factors that need to be addressed to achieve optimal implementation of PROMs at five cancer centres. What are the implications for practitioners? Healthcare managers and professionals need to assess the particular needs and implementation barriers of their specific patient populations and health service to achieve successful PROMs implementation.

What is known about the topic? Communication via discharge summaries (DSs) is often inadequate. Studies specifically investigating medication errors in DSs have focused on specific hospitals or clinical units over short time periods. What does this paper add? Medication errors on DSs are common. Completion of DSs after the patient has been discharged and patient language are not associated with differing rates of one or more medication errors. Implementation of inpatient electronic medication management does not necessarily improve DS medication-related accuracy. What are the implications for practitioners? Strategies are required to improve the accuracy of medication information on DSs.

What is known about the topic? Many Muslim patients alter their medications to facilitate Ramadan fasting and medication-related adverse events associated with these alterations have occurred. What does this paper add? This study, the first to explore the views of Australian Muslim patients with a variety of medical/surgical conditions, found their experiences and perceptions about healthcare professionals affected whether they seek advice about medications or self-manage these, sometimes inappropriately, to facilitate Ramadan fasting. What are the implications for practitioners? Healthcare professionals need to be more understanding and help their Muslim patients better manage medications during Ramadan fasting.

What is known about the topic? Rarely are patients with disability and complex needs who have interim arrangements the subject of research scrutiny. What does this paper add? Interim hospital transfers were common. The greater proportion of interim discharged patients with accommodation and behavioural support needs raises concerns about patient management and coordination during transitions. What are the implications for practitioners? Early identification of patients with disability who may require interim discharge is important. Mechanisms to ensure appropriate communication and accountability for ongoing coordination and planning of final discharge destination and supports are necessary to optimise the appropriateness of arrangements.

What is known about the topic? Policy documents are a major contributor to clinical incidents. What does this paper add? This case study demonstrates that health literacy principles can be incorporated in developing policies and describes key elements for successfully implementing a whole of organisation approach. . What are the implications for practitioners? Policy documents can be devleoped that are plain language Consumer review of policies did not improve readability.

What is known about the topic? Reported rates of persistent opioid use following hospital discharge are well studied internationally, where we know health care is delivered differently – but what does persistent use after hospital discharge look like in Australia? What does this paper add? This paper systematically identifies and provides a review of all publications that have reported rates of persistent opioid use following different types of hospital encounters in Australia. What are the implications for practitioners? Increasing the awareness of rates of persistent opioid use following hospital encounters specific to the Australian context bring into sharper focus for Australian practitioners the effect of their own practices of prescribing on discharge. Further research across different hospital settings in Australia will provide clearer indications for priority areas of improvement strategies.