Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) – patient information to assist informed consent

This patient education pamphlet provides treatment information on prenatal diagnostic tests, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Topics discussed include: common reasons for having an amniocentesis and CVS, when the tests are performed, and the limitations of the tests. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is also discussed as an option for some women. 

This leaflet can be a useful tool for women considering amniocentesis and CVS as each procedure is described in detail, and the possible complications are listed. Transabdominal CVS and transvaginal CVS are also described. The diagnostic laboratory tests discussed include: tests on the amniotic fluid, tests on the chorionic villi, mosaicism, maternal cell contamination and fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH). 

Amniocentesis and CVS are described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Infection Prevention and Control in the Dental Practice – dental information for patients 

This ADA patient education pamphlet provides information on practices in the dental surgery that help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The principles of infection and control (IPC) are discussed in detail, including:

• Standard precautions and transmission-based precautions
• Single-use instruments
• Reusable instruments and steam sterilisers

Other topics include: barrier methods, manual techniques and advice to patients on delaying dental treatment under certain conditions. IPC is also described in relation to the prevention of Covid-19 and other infections, such as viral influenza and chicken pox.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Australian Dental Association patient information brochures. The dental information is written in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The ADA patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Why Aren’t All Babies Perfect – patient information to assist informed consent

This patient education pamphlet provides treatment information on birth defects. The four main categories of birth defects discussed are: 

• Genetic and chromosomal abnormalities
  
• The influences within the uterus
  
• A combination of factors 
  
• Unknown factors 
  

This leaflet can be a useful tool for expecting parents as it describes how genetic defects can occur and the most common birth defects. The common birth defects that are detailed in this pamphlet include: heart defects, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, neural tube defects (NTDs), cleft lip or palate, club foot, cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria, among others.

Common birth defects are described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Surgery to Treat Heart Arrhythmias – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on surgical ablation to treat heart arrhythmias. The topics discussed include:

• Anatomy and physiology of the heart
• An explanation of heart arrhythmias
• Atrial fibrillation and its risks (such as stroke, congestive heart failure and heart attack)
• Diagnosis of heart arrhythmias

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients as the surgical ablation procedure is described in detail. Surgical ablation is also described for patients that may be undergoing surgery for other heart problems, such as coronary artery disease or heart valve disease. The surgical methods outlined include:

• Surgical ablation with open heart surgery
• Surgical ablation with minimally invasive mitral valve surgery
• Minimally invasive surgical cardiac ablation
• Hybrid ablation procedure

The possible complications of open heart surgery are listed on to assist the informed-consent process. The specific risks of surgical ablation are also listed, including fluid retention, pericarditis and unusual heart rhythms following surgery.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. Surgery to treat heart arrhythmias is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Hypertension during Pregnancy – patient information to assist informed consent

This patient education pamphlet provides treatment information on hypertension during pregnancy. The types of hypertension that can occur during pregnancy are discussed, including: gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. 

Pre-eclampsia is described in detail. The risks of developing pre-eclampsia are listed, including: personal or family history of pre-eclampsia, obesity, or assisted reproduction (such as IVF). 

This leaflet can be a useful tool for pregnant women needing treatment of hypertension or pre-eclampsia with medication to lower blood pressure. Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, the associated risks of each condition, and HELLP syndrome are also discussed.

Hypertension during pregnancy is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Peripheral Nerve Surgery – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides surgical information on peripheral nerve surgery. The topics discussed include:

• Anatomy and physiology of peripheral nerves
• Most common causes of damage to peripheral nerves (including entrapment and compression, acute trauma and tumour)
• Symptoms of damaged peripheral nerves (such as chronic pain, numbness and poor muscle strength)

The nerve syndromes discussed include:

• Perineal nerve syndrome
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Thoracic outlet syndrome (or brachial plexus compression)
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome.

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients as the surgical treatment options are discussed in detail. The surgical procedures described are:

• Neurolysis
• Nerve transposition
• Nerve repair
• Nerve graft
• Neuroma resection

The benefits, risks and limitations of each procedure are discussed in detail. The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. Peripheral nerve surgery is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Contraceptive Choices — patient information to assist informed consent 

This patient education pamphlet provides treatment information on contraceptive options for women. The most common contraceptive methods are discussed to provide women information about how the contraception is used, how it works with female anatomy and physiology, and its main advantages and disadvantages.

The contraceptive options discussed include, amongst others:
•  Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs, such as Mirena®)
•  Copper bearing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD)
•  Combined Oral Contraception (“the Pill”)
•  Vaginal ring (containing an oestrogen and progestogen)
•  Barrier methods, such as the male condom and diaphragm
•  Fertility awareness methods, such as ovulation monitoring and lactational amenorrhoea (LAM)
•  Permanent methods, such as tubal ligation and vasectomy (for men).
The contraceptive options are presented in a large table across pages 2 and 3 to display the information in an easy-to-read format, assisting the patient choose the right contraception for her situation. This leaflet can be a useful tool for women wanting to begin using contraception or change what contraception they currently use.

The many contraceptive options are described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Surgical Treatment of a Neck Lump

This ANZAOMS patient education pamphlet provides information on surgery to remove a neck lump. The topics discussed include: reasons for surgery, the anatomy of the neck and lymph nodes, and important considerations prior to undergoing surgery, such as the costs.

The surgical procedures described include:

• Removal of a neck lump
• Removal of a submandibular salivary gland
• Removal of a remove a parotid salivary gland
• Neck dissections 
• TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS).

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients considering surgical treatment as the benefits, risks and limitations of surgery are discussed in detail. The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 8 patient education pamphlets for The Australian And New Zealand Association Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons (ANZAOMS). The objective of each pamphlet is to assist oral and maxillofacial surgeons with their informed consent process, reduce the medico-legal risk of failure to inform and improve patient outcomes. The pamphlets serve as valuable resources for surgeons in establishing a process of communication with patients.

Fetal Monitoring During Pregnancy and Labour – patient information to assist informed consent

This patient education pamphlet provides treatment information on fetal monitoring during pregnancy and labour. The fetal monitoring techniques discussed include: Doppler ultrasound, electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), scalp electrode placement and fetal blood sampling. 

Electrode fetal monitoring is described in detail, including reasons for the use of EFM during pregnancy and labour. This leaflet can be a useful tool for pregnant women who may need fetal monitoring due to health concerns such as high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, or for reasons such as previous caesarean section.

The different fetal monitoring techniques are described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Management of the Male Foreskin in Newborns and Infants – information for parents to assist informed consent

This obstetrics pamphlet is an essential tool in assisting the informed-consent process with parents who are considering circumcision for their male newborn or infant. The objective of the pamphlet is not to be for or against male circumcision, but to provide general information for parents who are considering the procedure and to assist them in making an informed decision.

The 2-page pamphlet includes a discussion on the reasons parents may consider circumcision, the benefits, risks and limitations of circumcision, anatomical illustrations, and a comprehensive list of possible complications of surgery.

The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

MCRI Sexual Health and Intimacy after Childbirth - the impact of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting on sexual health and intimacy.

This pamphlet summarises some of the thoughts and feelings of women interviewed, and gives insight into their personal experiences with sexual intimacy after childbirth.

The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets. This pamphlet is 2 pages.

Hyperhidrosis – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on the surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis. This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients considering surgical treatment for the relief of excessive and uncontrollable sweating. The topics discussed include:

• Anatomy and physiology of the skin
• Causes and diagnosis of hyperhidrosis
• Secondary hyperhidrosis (caused by underlying conditions such as menopause, obesity and some hormone disorders)
• Non-surgical and surgical treatment options

The non-surgical treatment options discussed are:

• Dietary changes
• Prescription antiperspirants
• Oral medications
• Iontophoresis
• Botox injections

The surgical treatment options discussed for hyperhidrosis are axillary sweat gland excision and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). The benefits, risks and limitations of each procedure are discussed in detail. The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. Hyperhidrosis is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.