GP Census

Recently practices all around Australia participated in the GP Census – the Queensland Census was conducted in August.

RHealth received responses from over 50 percent our members, thank you to everyone for your time and contribution to this valuable data collection tool. Local statistics will be made available in upcoming ENews editions.

Click here to view statistics from all practices in Queensland

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NeHTA Strategy (2009 - 2012) Released

The NeHTA Strategy (2009 – 2012) was released on 2 October 2009 and outlines their blueprint to move the eHealth agenda forward over the next three years.

Click here for more information

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National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Health Professionals

From 1 July 2010, the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme will for the first time create a single registration and accreditation system for health professions in Australia. The Scheme will enable health professionals to practice in any jurisdiction and help to promote greater flexibility and efficiency of the health workforce.

Click here for more information

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Meeting the Standards

The RACGP Standards for General Practices 3rd Edition (revised) requires practices to have a system for the follow up and review of tests and results (Criterion 1.5.4).

Without a system for the follow-up and review of tests and results a practice may not be able to ensure timely treatment for patients whose results are clinically significant. There are many different forms of systems and your practice needs to choose one that works for your team.

The indicators for Criterion 1.5.4 are as follows.

Indicator A: Our patient health records contain evidence that pathology results, imaging reports, investigation reports and clinical correspondence received by our practice have been:
-    Reviewed by a GP,
-    Initialed, and
-    Where appropriate, acted upon in a timely manner.
This indicator is assessed via a health records review. Practices must ensure that even if no action is required it is clear that pathology results, imaging reports and clinical correspondence has been reviewed by a GP.

Indicator B: Our GP(s) and staff can describe the system by which pathology results, imaging reports, investigation reports and clinical correspondence received by our practice are:

          -    Reviewed,
          -    Signed or initialed (or the electronic equivalent),
          -    Acted on in a timely manner, and
          -    Incorporated into the patient health record.

A practice's GP(s) and staff will be asked questions via an interview conducted by a surveyor. The surveyor will ask how pathology results, imaging reports, investigation reports and clinical correspondence received by the practice are reviewed, signed, acted on in a timely manner and incorporated into the patient health record. The explanation should be consistent with the written policy.

Indicator C: Our practice has a written policy describing the review and management of pathology results, imaging reports, investigation reports and clinical correspondence received by the practice. This is the written policy that relates to indicator A and B.

Indicator D: Our GP(s) and staff can describe how patients are advised of the process for the follow up of tests and results. Indicator D is assessed via an interview conducted by a surveyor. The surveyor will ask questions like, how are patients advised of the process for the follow up tests and results. Practices can meet this indicator in many ways – by making an appointment for the patient, advising them to ring the practice, written on your practice information sheet and/or a sign in the waiting room.

Indicator E: Our GP(s) and staff can describe the procedure for follow up and recall of patients with clinically significant tests and results. This indicator is also assessed via an interview conducted by a surveyor. The surveyor will ask how a practice deals with clinically significant results whether expected or unexpected. The responses should reflect what is in your written policy.

Indicator F: Our practice has a system to recall patients with clinically significant tests and results. Indicator F is assessed through document review. This means the surveyors will ask for a system which has the ability to recall patients with clinically significant tests or results. For example, a manual log, electronic software, diary or logbook. The system should allow your practice's GP(s) to flag any 'worrying' or 'high risk' cases for immediate follow up.

Indicator G: Our practice has a written policy to follow up and recall patients with clinically significant tests and results. This indicator is assessed through document review. This is the written policy for the system to follow up and recall patients with clinically significant tests and results. You can download a template for this policy at our website by following the instructions below:

          -    Visit www.agpal.com.au,
          -    Click 'Practices',
          -    Enter your username and password, then click 'login',
          -    Click 'QbAY',
          -    Then select 'General Practice',
          -    Click 'Consulting room',
          -    Click 'Recall and follow up systems', and
          -    Download the policy.

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Upcoming Events

Health Coaching Australia Workshop – HELPING your patients change their behaviour

26 & 27 October 2009
8:30am – 5:00pm

For GPs, Practice Nurses and Allied Health Professionals at Royal on the Park, Cnr Alice and Albert Streets, Brisbane

Click here for more information and Registration Form

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Useful links
Australian Practice Nurses Association ENews