North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0818: June 5th, 2008
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter sent to all GP practices (with email addresses) within the NEV catchment. The aim is to provide up to date information relevant to GPs and to disseminate the latest activities and resources from the division. All feedback and enquiries welcome and should be addressed to Patty Marshall. You can also visit our website at: http://www.nevdgp.org.au/.
To subscribe to eNews click on subscribe. To be removed from the eNews distribution list click on Unsubscribe

 

In this issue:

Chronic Disease Management         National Diabetes Week 2008 Campaign Resources

Professional Development               CPD events          

Immunisation                                   The Hepatitis B Network, Immunisation News from Banyule Community Health Centre

Information Management                includes Medical Director tips and New on the Web

Items of interest                               North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Service Annual Forum, Occupational Therapists at Banyule Community Health, GP Network News           

News for Practice Staff                    Practice Managers’ Network Meeting, The Essentials Involved in the Asthma Cycle of Care   

NPS                                                 Heart Failure – NPS Audit Last Reminder

Positions vacant/wanted                     

Fun stuff                                              

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Chronic Disease Management

National Diabetes Week 2008 Campaign Resources

Diabetes Australia will launch a new campaign on Sunday 13 July to mark the beginning of National Diabetes Week 2008. The campaign will focus on family history and overweight or obesity as key risk factors in the development of type 2 diabetes. Your general practice can order a campaign kit to support practice-based awareness activities. The kit includes: Information sheets, poster, Diabetes data information, tape measures. To download your order form visit www.diabetesvic.org.au (under Latest News & Research) or call 1300 136 588.

 

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CPD

The Essentials Involved in the Asthma Cycle of Care

An invitation to GPs and Practice Nurses. The National Asthma Council Australia together with North East Valley invites you to participate in this workshop, to be held on Thursday 26th June, 6:30 pm to 9:00pm  at John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University. Presenters: Dr Tom Foo, General Practitioner and Ms Del Lovett, Asthma Educator. This workshop will provide education and training specifically around evidence–based best practice asthma management. Each participant will receive resources covering the following topics: Adult Asthma, including the elderly, Device use, Asthma and COAPD, Paediatric asthma.  Further information and registration click here, or contact Janina on (03) 9496 4333

 

Term 2 GP Lecture Program

Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Pathology Building, Repatriation Hospital, Austin Health, West Heidelberg. Lunch is provided. Course Leader: Dr Vin Nursey Phone: 9457 1736

June 10 - The Lymphomas - Dr John Duggan

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

St Vincent’s GP Education:  Trauma Update for GPs

Saturday, July 26th, 8.30am  –  4.30pm. Only 12 places available, so first in, “best dressed” !

Contact:  Juliet Gavens9288 4781 or mailto:Juliet.gavens@svhm.org.au. See: http://www.svhm.org.au/gp for detailed flyer & RSVP.

 

Austin Health - Division of Medicine Grand Round

Department of Neurology “Conversion Reactions in Child Neurology?” Speaker: Professor Robert Ouvrier,

Children’s Hospital, Westmead & the University of Sydney

Wednesday 11 June, 2008 12:10pm at John Lindell Lecture Theatre, Level 4, Lance Townsend Building

Opposite Medical Library - followed by lunch in Zeltner Hall at 1:00pm

 

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Immunisation

The Hepatitis B Network

An initiative to facilitate the optimal management of untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). It aims to assist General Practitioners to stay up-to-date with the management options for patients with hepatitis B and create links between GPs and local specialists and liver clinics. The Network also offers you the chance to participate in a program nurse-facilitated RACGP accredited retrospective clinical audit of your records, for which you can earn a total of 40 (Category 1) QA & CPD points. The Hepatitis B Network is sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia, and provided and administered by Elixir Healthcare Education.

The Hepatitis B Network GP Programme Co-ordinator, Helen Newman, is available for any GP to register with the Network or answer any of your questions. Ph: 03 9213 4190 or 0428 751 216 or email helen.newman@bms.com    

 

Immunisation News from Banyule Community Health Centre – from Practice Manager Meni Stefanovski

I have just read in last eNews that the “Division has just recorded its lowest ever coverage rate for a GPII quarter. The rate has dropped to 88.8%. “

I am pleased to advise that our practice rate of fully immunised children during the 12 month reference period was 96.1% as at 20 May 08. This is a fantastic effort!  Thanks everyone and particularly the nursing staff. It is a shame that the GPII SIP payment of $18.50 per WPE has been removed from the incentives program in immunisation as per the recent Federal Budget, effective from 1 September 2008. The last valid service date is 30/9/08 and the last reporting date to ACIR is 31/12/2008

 

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Information Management

Medical Director Tip - Recording a reason for contact for an infected hand

There is no coded diagnosis for “infected hand or “hand – infection”. One way round this is to select “Wound infection” from the pick list and press OK. Then when this appears under “Reason for visit” simply type in “ – hand” so it appears under reason for contact as “Wound infection – hand”. Remember though that the recorded “reason for contact” will only be “Wound infection” under “Reason/Type of visit” when you look at previous visits under progress notes.

 

This weeks IM problem

Question: I carry out urine tests for my patients. Is it sufficient that I record the results in my progress notes?

Answer: Not really. It is better to record them under Results. Click on the Results tab and then the + sign (or right click and select Add result). Add the test name, the result and then action the result with No action, Discuss or Return Urgently.

 

New on the Web

1. AusPharm  - a new website for pharmacists, it aims to provide pharmacists with all of the latest news and information on pharmacy practice in Australia. Highly recommended by Dr Jenny Gowan, HMR Facilitator

2. PEN Clinical Audit First template – this now has a new section to assist the Life diabetes “at risk” search for over 50 year olds and the new MBS item number post July for the “at risk’ 40-49 year olds. Also includes a medication count for diabetics over 65.

5. Diabetes Prevalence

 

Total population

%

Active population

(Active (3x > 2 years)

%

% Diabetes in postcode area

5.6%

Diabetics 65+, 8+ medications

0

%

Diabetics 65+, 5+ medications

0

%

 

 

6. Diabetes “at risk” *

 

40-49 year olds

00

50+ year olds

00

* Diabetes “at risk”= active patient, hypertension, not on diabetic medications, BMI = o’weight or obese

3. Mental Health Nurse Referrals – both MD template and paper-based versions have been updated – see under IM Resources – Mental Health

 

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Items of Interest

North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Service (NEMICS) Annual Forum

Tuesday 17th June 2008, 5pm – 7.15pm. The NEMICS forum is an opportunity to inform healthcare workers and the community of work being undertaken in improving cancer services in the region. Professor David Currow, CEO Cancer Australia will be the keynote speaker. Among the presentations, topics such as better coordination of cancer services, consumer needs & multidisciplinary cancer care will be discussed. Please click here for a full session outline. Enquiries & RSVP to Jan Townsend on 9496 3322

 

Occupational Therapists at Banyule Community Health

Providing services to enable people to continue living independently at home and participate in their community. A home based service is provided, including assessment, provision of assistive equipment, environmental modifications, and education regarding energy conservation, falls prevention, and manual handling techniques.  Referrals can be made for residents of Banyule via the Banyule Community Health Service Access Team on Ph: 9450 2000 or Fax: 9450 2602.

 

GP Network News

This edition contains National Conference, RACF Survey, More Compliance Audits, Financial Penalties for Incorrect Claiming, Understanding Younger Onset Dementia. Full version.

 

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News for Practice Staff

Practice Managers’ Network Meeting

Wednesday 25th June 7-9pm (registration and dinner from 6.30) at John Scott Meeting House, La Trobe University. (Map) Topics include Argus Secure Electronic Clinical Messaging, Working with Diabetes ‘at risk’ patients and Using SMS for Recalls/Reminders. Presenters: Gary Tucek, Angie Deegan, Noel Stewart and NEVDGP Practice Managers. Contact Noel on 9496 4333 or see flyer, available next week, on website under CPD calendar.

 

The Essentials Involved in the Asthma Cycle of Care

An invitation to Practice Nurses – see under CPD

 

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NPS

Heart Failure – NPS Audit Last Reminder

NPS Clinical audit: Management of systolic chronic heart failure. Flyer. Enrolment will also be available in PPR 41 or online at www.nps.org.au/healthpro. This is the second audit available for the QPI year: 1 May 2008 - 30 April 2009.  The enrolment deadline is Friday June 13th 2008.  Audit submission deadline is Friday 11th July 2008. NOTE: Participation requires data for 10 patients only.

 

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Positions vacant/wanted

Please note: only new ads, paid ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other ads can be found on the website

 

Positions vacant

Doctors

Kensington Doutta Galla Community Health Centre Medical Clinic is seeking VR GPs, part-time and flexible sessions available. In addition to general medicine other areas include Mental Health; Youth, Young Adults; Refugee and CALD communities. Fully accredited and computerised practice with Nurse Support: Practice, Community Health, Refugee Health and Mental Health Nurses on staff. Attractive salary including salary packaging or percentage of billings (excluding PIP). Research and special interests supported. Please contact: Janina on (03) 8378 1621 or email: janina.desilva@dgchs.org.au

 

Ivanhoe Medical Clinic - sessions for PT VR GP. Modern, large group with supportive colleagues and full time nurses, computerised, CDMs, mixed billing, flexible, friendly, no A/H, good remuneration. Contact Dr.Stephen Smith or Dr.David Doig on 03 9499 1245.

Practice Staff

Doutta Galla Community Health Service (DGCHS) - Coordinator - Client Services / Reception Full-time (with some flexibility). DGCHS is a leading community health service committed to servicing a diverse group of clients including newly arrived migrants and people with complex needs. DGCHS provides busy medical, dental and allied health practices. As the Client Services Coordinator you will provide leadership and direction to client services staff in the day-to-day operations of the four main DGCHS sites and be responsible for rostering of staff including managing absences. For further information and to obtain a detailed position description please email Anne Lennard, General Manager, Dental & Client Services anne.lennard@dgchs.org.au

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Humour

World food question

Last month, the U.N. conducted a worldwide survey. The only question asked was:

"Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to world food shortages?"

The survey was a huge failure:

- In Eastern Europe they didn't know what 'honest' meant.

- In Western Europe they didn't know what 'shortage' meant.

- In Africa they didn't know what 'food' meant.

- In Eastern China they didn't know what 'opinion' meant.

- In the Middle East they didn't know what 'solution' meant.

- In South America they didn't know what 'please' meant.

- And of course, in the USA, they didn't know what 'rest of the world' meant.

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