No abstract

A shorter course of rasburicase treatment, including single-dose injection, is feasible and will improve the cost-effectiveness profile of the otherwise expensive compound.

The first human H5N1 case was diagnosed in Hong Kong in 1997. Since then, experience in effective preparedness strategies that target novel influenza viruses has expanded. Here, we report on avian influenza preparedness in public hospitals in Hong Kong to illustrate policies and practices associated with control of emerging infectious diseases. The Hong Kong government's risk-based preparedness plan for influenza pandemics includes 3 response levels for command, control, and coordination frameworks for territory-wide responses. The tiered levels of alert, serious, and emergency response enable early detection based on epidemiological exposure followed by initiation of a care bundle. Information technology, laboratory preparedness, clinical and public health management, and infection control preparedness provide a comprehensive and generalizable preparedness plan for emerging infectious diseases.

Higher education institutions have made considerable effort to develop generic centrally based and course integrated learning skills intervention programs to enhance student learning. Various student learning skills development interventions have been implemented in the global learning space to respond to the diverse learning needs of undergraduate and postgraduate learners. The existing learning skills development framework was expanded to include the newly introduced Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) to enable learners to learn effectively. The authors present an overview of the PASS program as a student centric learning initiative to enable student driven learning. The chapter highlights the challenges and benefits of promoting PASS as an integrated learning skills development approach. A reflective review of the different perspectives on learning skills development suggests that learners benefit from a number of effective strategies within a peer assisted study session to enable them to take responsibility for their learning.