Maryann Wood

Overseas visitor deaths in Australia: 1997-2000.

Reassuring visitors about their health and safety is particularly important for tourist destinations since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. This study examined the deaths of 1513 overseas visitors to Australia over a four-year period, and found that most deaths (76%) were due to natural causes. Among the accidental deaths, the main causes were motor vehicle crashes and water-related incidents. The study findings support a widely held view that Australia is a safe destination for overseas visitors. It also provides a safety benchmark for other tourist destinations.

Comparing ICD-9-CM and ICD-10 classification systems in a primary health care setting: some initial observations.

The ICD-10 is due to be introduced into Australia during the late 1990s, superseding the current and widely used ICD-9-CM. Improvements in areas such as number of codes, an expanded external cause framework, and more context to injuries are expected to make the ICD-10 a more streamlined system for practitioners. The present study examined both classification formats using data from 1183 presentations to primary health clinics at island tourist resorts. Some initial observations are made about differences in the two systems, highlighting the greater coding detail provided by the ICD-10, particularly in the area of injuries. It is recommended that further empirical testing be undertaken using the ICD-10 in a variety of settings so as to identify benefits in the coding of both medical conditions and injuries.

Health and Vitals National Processing Centre. Australian Bureau of Statistics (Brisbane Office).

Due to the relative scarcity of HIM graduates in New Zealand, it is often possible to be actively involved in development projects from the ground up, and opportunities for taking on high levels of responsibility occur. Figure 3 illustrates the age range of HIMs currently employed by Auckland Healthcare. There are, of course, both differences and similarities between health information management practice in Australia and New Zealand, and between health systems in the two countries. Working within the field of health information management in New Zealand presents both challenges and rewards for Australian-trained HIMs prepared to try something different. + Biography Sue Guthrie, BA (Canterbury), Teachers College Diploma (Christchurch Teachers College), GradDipAppSci(HIM) (Sydney). Currently employed as Clinical Records Manager at Starship Childrens Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. A New Zealander, initially employed by Auckland Healthcare in 1996 under contract to travel to Australia and complete the Graduate Diploma ofApplied Science (HIM) at the University ofSydney. Employed in 1997 as Health Information Manager at Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, on a 12-month contract, with responsibility for coding and casemix.