North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0826: July 31, 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:

Editorial                                           PEN pushing        

Chronic Disease Management         Diabetes - “Getting Started’’           

Professional Development               CPD events          

HMR                                                 Therapeutic Guidelines New Releases        

Immunisation                                   Immunisation Catch-up Guide, SMS Reminders for Gardasil 

Information Management                includes Medical Director tips and New on the Web

Items of interest                               Update from the Eye and Ear Hospital, GP Network News, BECC waiting times         

News for Practice Staff                    Preventing Osteoporosis and Reducing Fracture Risks         

NPS                                                 New NPS Program

Paediatrics                                      Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status Training           

Women’s Health                              Educational Updates by Victorian Cytology, Itchy Scratchy Issues - Vulval Disorders 

Positions vacant/wanted                     

Fun stuff                                              

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A Word from the Editor

PEN pushing 

The division now has just over 40 practices that have enrolled for the PEN Clinical Audit Tool. What we want however is most of the remaining practices to enrol. It is FREE and we will help you install the program and do the first analysis of your practice clinical data. The information gained is extremely helpful for accreditation purposes and for identifying areas where clinical information can be improved.

Email Noel at the division or call 9496 4333 and/or go to the NEV website for more information.

 

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Chronic Disease Management

Diabetes - “Getting Started’’

‘Getting Started’ is a diabetes information session for people with type 2 diabetes who are newly diagnosed or have not had diabetes education in the past. The 2.5 hour session is run by Diabetes Australia – Vic (DA–Vic) diabetes educator and dietitian, who will provide valuable information to help your patients get started on managing their diabetes. Carers and family members welcome. Topics include:  What is diabetes; Staying well with diabetes; Blood glucose monitoring; Introduction to healthy eating; Your diabetes health care team. The cost of the session is $10 for members of DA-Vic and $15 for non-members of DA–Vic. Several sessions are scheduled before the end of the year.  For session times and dates, please contact Diabetes Information and Advice Line (DIAL) on 1300 136 588. Bookings are essential. For more information about the session, please contact Catarina Yeung – DA–Vic dietitian on 9667 1729 or Diana Politis – DA–Vic diabetes educator 8648 1835.

 

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CPD

Term 3 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

NB: The lecture for next week - August 5 - has been cancelled

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

Austin Health - Division of Medicine Grand Round

Department of Gastroenterology - “Capsule Endoscopy – Turning the Small Bowel Inside Out”

Speakers: Dr Eu Jin Lim, Gastroenterology Registrar, Dr Michelle Clonan, Research Gastroenterologist & Dr Adam Testro, Consultant Gastroenterologist

Wednesday 6 August, 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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HMR

Therapeutic Guidelines New Releases - eTG complete July, 2008, Cardiovascular 5, Toxicology & Wilderness

The July 2008 version of eTG complete is now available. New to this version of eTG complete are completely revised and updated cardiovascular guidelines.  In this release, the importance of assessing and lowering a patient's overall risk of cardiovascular disease is emphasised.  Presented in the familiar, easy-to-search eTG complete format, these new Therapeutic Guidelines provide recommended pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease.  This information is also presented in a new Therapeutic Guidelines print title called Cardiovascular 5.

Revised topics include:

·         Cardiovascular disease risk reduction

·         Coronary ischaemic syndromes

·         Heart failure

·         Venous thromboembolism

·         Peripheral arterial disease

·         Noncardiac surgery in patients with cardiovascular disease

Also new to eTG complete July 2008 are updated guidelines for the prevention of endocarditis.  These guidelines have been revised by a multidisciplinary team to reflect recent changes in international recommendations, tailored to the Australian situation.

A new print title called Toxicology & Wilderness has just been launched and includes many emergency topics such as poisoning, snake bite, spider bite, marine envenoming, altitude sickness, diving medicine, heat- and cold-related illness, burns and resuscitation.  In addition to the book, these topics are also included in the Emergency Medicine section of eTG complete July 2008.

Contact Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd for further information to purchase or on the website at www.tg.com.au or telephone 9329 6427

Further information from Jenny Gowan 9416 7689

 

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Immunisation

Immunisation Catch-up Guide

The Quick Guide Catch-up for immunisation of people with no immunisation history has been updated and is now available on the Immunisation Program web site at:

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/240868/quickguidecatchup_08.pdf

The Guide has been updated with Infanrix hexa and Hiberix vaccines and dTpa vaccine as the first dose for a primary course of vaccine in people 8 years and over.

 

SMS Reminders for Gardasil

The cervical cancer website at: http://www.cervicalcancer.com.au/ provides a free SMS service to remind patients for their second and third Gardasil injections. Once on the site, click on the middle box on the left hand side that says “Free SMS/email reminders”. From there, patients (or clinic staff) can enter their details to receive reminders. An ideal time to register patients is post-vaccination before patients leave the clinic. It is a free service for the clinic and the patient and will be very helpful for those clinics that do not have the facility with their software to send SMS reminders. Further information c/- CSL Biotherapies: Nicci Green, Vaccine Account Representative (Part time – Tues. & Wed.) Mobile: 0447 533 790 Email: nicci.green@csl.com.au or Nadine Francis, Vaccine Account Representative (Part time – Wed, Thur, Fri) Mobile: 0422 000 308 Email: nadine.francis@csl.com.au

 

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Information Management

General computer tips

There has been a request for general (i.e. not clinical software) computer tips. These have appeared sporadically in eNews in the past but from now on this will become a weekly feature of eNews. As if Noel hasn’t got enough to do!!! If any subscribers (that’s you) wish to contribute a handy hint or two, it would be greatly appreciated.

Computer Tip No. 1 – Setting up side-by-side paragraphs in Word 2003

Never use columns as it creates a mess, use tables instead.

Using tables for side-by-side paragraphs

 

What to do

1.

From the Table menu select Insert, then Tables and 2 columns by 2 rows

 

2.

Click on the middle vertical line to change the column width

 

3.

Add your text and press Tab to jump to next cell. By tapping the Tab key a few times you will create extra rows

 

4.

To remove the border lines of the table, highlight the table and from the Format menu select Borders and Shading. Click on None.

 

Very handy for creating minutes of meetings, rosters and a thousand other uses.

 

Medical Director Tip - Incorrect use of Spacebar, Tab and Enter keys

The “golden rule” is this – “If you use the Spacebar, Tab, or Enter keys more than twice you are doing something wrong”. This is not just a rule for LetterWriter but all word processing.

·         Spacebar – instead of pressing the spacebar several times to move across the screen to line up text, set up tabs in your ruler instead (you’ll find that the printed copy won’t line up anyway).

·         Tab – instead of going tab, tab, tab, tab, tab to move across the screen, set up the tabs on your ruler. Better still, use tables.

·         Enter – don’t press Enter, Enter, Enter to get onto the next page, do a page break instead - Insert >Page Break (or Control + Enter).

 

This weeks IM problem - Adding “comments” to printed investigation lists

Question: Each week I print the Discuss results lists. This does not include the doctor’s comments (done while checking the Holding file). Can I change this?

Answer: Yes. From the Tools (or Tool) menu select Options… Click on the Investigations tab and place a tick in the Print comment on lists checkbox. A Comment column is added to the printed list but be aware that the Comment column replaces the Address column.

 

New on the Web

1. NPS Practice Visit and Case Studies – insulin and diabetes – see under Quality Use of Medicines – Current programs

2. Using HMRs in conjunction with EPC item numbers - update flowchart  July 2008 (pdf) – Found under Program Support – HMR – Resources and Downloads

 

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Items of Interest

Update from the Eye and Ear Hospital

It was brought to our attention that the Eye and Ear Hospital referral form referred to in last weeks eNews was in PDF format and thus unable to be imported into software Letter Templates. We now have a copy in Word format which we’ll convert to .rtf and publish on our website next week under IM Resources

 

GP Network News

This edition is available at Full version.

 

BECC waiting times

Waiting times for new referrals to Bundoora Extended Care Centre Inpatient Admissions are currently approximately Gem > 10 days, Rehab 1 - 2 days. Any queries regarding our waiting times please contact Access BECC on 9495 3109

 

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News for Practice Staff

Preventing Osteoporosis and Reducing Fracture Risks – Invitation to Practice Nurses

Dr Mary Levidiotis, NPS Program Coordinator for NEVDGP & NDGP will present an interactive workshop for practices nurses focusing on the patient population over the age of 60. One in two women and one in three men are at risk of an osteoporotic fracture.  A ‘real case’ study will be discussed. This workshop will be held on Thursday 7th August, from 6:45pm, Start 7pm to 8.30pm at John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University. For further information and registration click here or contact Janina on 9496 4333

 

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NPS

New NPS Program

A new NPS program titled ‘Early use of insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs’ in type 2 diabetes’ is now available, providing GPs with  an opportunity to discuss up-to-date, independent, evidence-based information with a NPS Facilitator on:

·         How & when to initiate insulin, particularly in combination with oral therapy, and the place of the newer insulin analogues

·         Successful strategies to overcome patient barriers to insulin use

·         The continued importance and evidence for continued lifestyle interventions in slowing or preventing disease

·         Current evidence and controversy around the benefits and harms of glitazone use

Benefits of participation include:

·         Opportunities for a personal update with an NPS Facilitator at a time/place convenient to you: as a practice visit of approx 30 - 40 minutes duration

·         Opportunities for small group interactive case study discussions with your peers: case study meeting approx 50 - 60 minute duration (min of 3 GPs)

·         RACGP QA & CPD category 2 points & QPI PIP credit

To order a visit complete fax back form or contact Dr Mary Levidiotis (mary@nevdgp.org.au or fax 9496 4349) or Ms Melanie Hay (melanie.hay@nevdgp.org.au or fax 9416 7749)

 

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Paediatrics

Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) - Training for GPs and Practice Nurses

PEDS is a well validated tool for detecting developmental and behavioural problems in children from birth through to eight years of age. This training is designed to teach health professionals to use this tool in order to assist parents with concerns they may have about their children’s development or behaviour.

Friday 19th September, 9am-1pm / $90 pp (incl GST) at Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital.  Flyer

Kids Connect (RCH Primary Care Liaison) www.rch.org.au/kidsconnect  

 

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Women’s Health

Educational Updates by Victorian Cytology

Pap Test Guidelines & Technique, HPV Etiology and Vaccine plus Chlamydia & other STI’s - these sessions can be tailored to suit individual clinic needs or small learning groups and are presented by Sexual Health Physicians, Dr Stella Heley or Dr Siobhan Bourke.

Education is free of charge – please call Lyndal on 03 9250 0360 or 0407 363 822 or email lritchie@vcs.org.au

 

Itchy Scratchy Issues - Vulval Disorders
Dr Kathy Cook - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Mercy Hospital for Women.

Tuesday 5th August. 7-9pm (Registration & Refreshments from 6.30pm) Level 4 Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg.
Registrations: Merran McDonald 8458 4833 / mmcdonald@mercy.com.au or click here for the registration flier

 

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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

Cheltenham - We are looking for a VR GP to join our midsized accredited practice. Comfortable new rooms, fully computerised, flexible sessions, pathology, podiatry, physiotherapy and psychology all on site. Excellent remuneration, you will not be disappointed. Will suit subsequent trainees. For further information please phone Peter Enten on (03) 9584 9504 or peterenten@bigpond.com

           

Ivanhoe Medical Clinic - sessions for female 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.

 

Preston - FT/PT VR GP urgently required - long established traditional family owned accredited, computerised practice.  4 + sessions, negotiable, good condition and friendly staff. Please contact Dr Tiet or Maria on 03 9470 3155 or email trmg@internode.on.net 

 

Royal Children's Hospital - Seeking new GP consultant: Are you interested in changing the world?  Perhaps in making a difference at the interface between general practice and the RCH for paediatrics in Victoria?  If you said yes, come join Kids Connect at the RCH as our new GP Consultant, 8-10 hours per week. This is a non-clinical role and the innovative nature of the program demands flexibility and a diverse range of skills.  As well as being practical and ‘hands-on’, you’ll have a strong advocacy role for both general practice and the RCH, contributing to strategic developments for smoother, safer transitions of care. You can find out more about Kids Connect at www.rch.org.au/kidsconnect or contact Susan Jury on tel. 9345 4645 or susan.jury@rch.org.au.   

 

Watsonia - Part-time GP required. Sessions negotiable. No after hours or week-end work. Practice Nurse, Fully computerised. Contact Dr F O'Donnell 9435 1191.

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Humour

Important Announcement

The Centre for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weary Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your life completely.

If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises. Take two good friends to the nearest suitable retail outlet and purchase one or both of the antidotes:

·         Work Isolating Neutraliser Extract (WINE) and

·         Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER)

Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

 

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