No 1113: May 12, 2011
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter
sent to all GP practices (with email addresses) within the
Editorial Tuesday Lunchtime Lecture Program
Aboriginal Health BBVs
and STIs - Clinical Management in General Practice:
Engaging your Aboriginal Clients
Chronic Disease Management Getting Started
Professional Development CPD
events
Immunisation Latest
Immunisation Update
Information Management Medical Director Tips
Items of interest Medicare Benefits Schedule, GP Network News, Northern
Health Continuing Care Inpatient Services
Mental Health Managing
Depression in a Primary Care Setting
News for Practice Staff Practice Managers' Network
NPS NPS
GP Clinical Audit Update
Paediatrics Ear,
Nose, Throat and Eyes Practical Paediatrics, Better Start
Women’s Health Residential
and Day Programs for mothers and their infants
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This note is a reminder that the Tuesday Lunchtime Lecture Program is still looking for a GP program leader to create program content, identify & confirm presenters & sponsors, advise Division of details for circulation to members, introduce & thank speakers.
Any member interested in taking on the course leader role as described above is invited to contact Ken Mansbridge at the Division – 9496 4333.
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This FREE course provides an overview of the epidemiology, testing, principles, pathogenesis natural history and treatment of HIV, hepatitis B and C infections (Blood-Borne Viruses) and common Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) in Aboriginal populations. Sexual history taking and performing a sexual risk assessment will also be covered and cultural competency will be discussed in detail throughout the course. Flyer.
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A diabetes information session presented by Diabetes
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“A benign mimic of disseminated malignancy on FDG PET/CT” Speakers: Drs Ami De Silva & Sam Berlangieri
Wednesday
18th May, 12:30pm at John Lindell Lecture
Theatre, Level 4,
General
Practitioners and Practice Nurses are invited to attend an update on Hepatitis
C treatment followed by an update on Bowel Screening & Hydrogen Breath
Testing.
Speakers: Dr. Scott Patterson and Dr. Steve Lontos, Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health
Thursday,
26th May, 6:30 – 9:15pm at Barrio Restaurant,
Tuesday 31st May 7-9pm (registration & dinner from 6.30pm) at John Scott House, La Trobe University [Map]. This NPS workshop provides a valuable opportunity to discuss up-to-date, independent, practical, evidence-based information on managing acute low back pain. The interactive case-based workshop includes a presentation by a specialist and an opportunity to discuss important aspects of care. Speaker: Dr William Howard (Austin, Acute Pain Service). For more information contact Dr Mary Levidiotis on 9496 4333. See flyer to RSVP.
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The Commonwealth government has announced advice about the Prevenar 13 (conjugate pneumococcal vaccine) to be included in a catch-up program as follows:
· A single free supplementary dose of Prevenar 13® will be provided to children aged between 12 and 35 months who have completed their primary vaccination course with the Prevenar® vaccine, to ensure these children can also benefit from the improved vaccine. Prevenar 13® protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal disease, and will replace an existing pneumococcal vaccine, Prevenar® that protects against 7 strains.
· The catch up program will be available for one year and is due to commence from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012.
· This complements the listing of Prevenar 13® on the National Immunisation Program as a three dose course of Prevenar 13® which will be given to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A 4th dose should also be given to medically at risk children at 12 months of age.
· The ongoing program for Prevenar 13® for the primary course is due to commence from July 2011.
Formal written confirmation of the introduction of this vaccine will be posted in the near future to all immunisation providers.
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Have you
noticed that when you record a BP or Ht/Wt you click in Save and then Close.
You can reduce this to one click by changing one of the Clinical Options.
Now once you have recorded the measurement you only require one click. Imagine how many seconds you would save over a year by doing this.
Question: I have added to the patient current medication list those medications that have been prescribed by a specialist. I now wish to print a repeat script for the patient but I am blocked from doing so. How do I print a script that has been “Advised or prescribed elsewhere”.
Answer: You will notice in the current medication list of medications there is a “Purpose” column and it will have “Elsewhere” for those prescriptions that have been entered “Advised or prescribed elsewhere”. Simply double click on the “Elsewhere” medication, make sure the “Dose”, “Frequency” and “Instructions” are filled out. Then click on the “Print prescription” radio button under “Purpose of action”. You may also have to add the “Quantity” as well. Once all this is done it is tagged for printing and press the Print icon.
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Medicare has announced
there will not be a new Medicare Benefits Schedule released on 1 May 2011.
Instead, it will be released on 1 July 2011.
This week’s edition includes: Federal Budget; Senate inquiry into AHPRA; AMA National Conference May 2011; General practice research grant opportunities; GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to disclose payments to health professionals; Exclusive I.T. deals on APPLE, SYMANTEC and more!; Post new comment
Current inpatient waiting times are Gem 7-10 days & Rehab 5-7 days.
For further information/ assistance please contact: The ACCESS office on 9495 3443.
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Wednesday 22nd June 6:30 pm-9:00 pm
(Dinner from 6.15pm) at John Scott Meeting House, La
· Occuational Health and Safety
· IM Update - Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record
· Bowel Cancer Screening project Target Group: Practice Managers
Flyer and more information next week.
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The following audits are available for the for the new QPI year: May 2011 – April 2012. Note that there are only two paper audits available in this period and quite a few e-Audit options. Clinical e-Audits:
• are quick and easy to complete
• are free and area an independent quality improvement activity as are paper audits
• provide evidence-based clinical guidance and patient resources as do paper audits
• offer secure data transmission
• offer immediate individualized feedback
• compare improvements in your practice against best practice clinical indicators and your peers as do paper audits
Clinical e-Audit: Review of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing.
Clinical e-Audit: Optimising management of type 2 diabetes.
Clinical e-Audit: Management of hypertension. Note, this e-Audit involves review of only 10 patients.
Online enrolment for these topics at www.nps.org.au/health_professionals.
Topics coming soon:
Osteoporosis paper version - will be available in June 2011.
Clinical e-Audit: Lipid management - will be available in July 2011.
Antipsychotics paper version - will be available in August 2011.
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Thursday June 16th, 7-9pm (6.30pm to register and light refreshments) at Ella Latham Theatre, Royal Children’s Hospital
· Ophthalmology: Latest recommendations for management of: Eye infections, corneal ulcers and abrasions, squint and pseudo-squint, ptosis and retinoblastoma detection.
· Ears nose & throat - Latest recommendations for management of ASOM and recurrent ASOM, OME - prolonged antibiotics, ET exercises, diagnosing effusion clinically, grommets; otitis externa; the discharging ear in General Practice; pharyngitis/tonsillitis – the role of swabbing, antibiotics and managing recurrent.
See flyer and register online here.
From 1 July 2011,
eligible children diagnosed with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Fragile X
syndrome, or a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deafblindness, will have access to funding and new Medicare
items under the Better
Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) initiative.
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The recently renovated Mitcham Private Mother Baby Unit is staffed by an experienced and caring team of medical professionals, who can assist families struggling with issues associated with infant irritability and settling, feeding problems, maternal exhaustion and anxiety. Places are currently available for babies up to 12 months old.
Mitcham Private Hospital Mother Baby Unit,
Referral forms and further information can be found at www.mitchamprivate.com.au
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Please note: only new ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other
ads can be found on the website
Doctors
Epworth Freemasons – GP required part time for sessions in the Women’s Health Clinic. Excellent conditions and environment. Please phone Joy on 9918 8912 or email Joy.Millen@epworth.org.au
Ivanhoe
Medical Clinic - PT VR GP for
2-4 sessions/week - must include Thursday & Friday afternoons. Modern,
large supportive group(10 GPs), FT nurses,
computerised, CDMs, no A/Hs, friendly ,flexible,
mixed billing. Good remuneration. Contact: Dr. Stephen Smith or Dr. David Doig – 9499 1245.
Northcote
– FT/PT VR GP or Subsequent Trainee GP position. Fully accredited,
computerised, long established doctor owned practice in a new purpose built
facility with a fabulous work environment. Ancillary Health,
Pharmacy and Pathology services on site. Inquiries Diane Cronin
(Practice Manager) 9481 1214. Visit our website www.doctorsofnorthcote.com.
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The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent one day but had not phoned in sick. Needing to have an urgent work problem resolved, he dialled the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whisper. “Hello?”
“Is your daddy home?” he asked.
“Yes” whispered the small voice.
“May I talk with him?”
The child whispered, “No”
Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mummy there?” “Yes”
“May I talk with her?” Again the small voice whispered, “No “
Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, “Is anybody else there?”
“Yes” whispered the child, “a policeman”
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”
“No, he’s busy” whispered the child.
“Busy doing what?”
“Talking to Daddy and Mummy and the Fireman” came the whispered answer.
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”
“A helicopter” answered the whispering voice.
“What is going on there?” demanded the boss, now truly worried. Again, whispering, the child answered, “The search team just landed a helicopter”
Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, “What are they searching for?”
Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle...
“ME“
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And remember…
… I worry whoever thought up the term "quality control" thought if we didn't control it; it would get out of hand.