No 0914: April 30, 2009
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter sent to all GP practices
(with email addresses) within the
Editorial Swine Flu Pandemic
Chronic
Disease Management World Asthma Day
Professional Development CPD events
HMR Allergy,
asthma or COPD
Immunisation Pandemic flu alert
Information
Management includes Medical Director Tips and New on the
Web
Items of
interest GP Network
News, BECC waiting times
News for
Practice Staff Evidence Based Practice
Workshop, Practice Management courses, NiGP Orientation Program for nurses new
to General Practice
NPS Proton pump inhibitors:
appropriate and safe use, Clinical Audit: Review of proton
pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing, Treating the Symptoms of Dementia
Women’s Health Ultrasound in Women with an Obstetric Focus
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WHO has now raised the pandemic alert level to phase 5.
Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organisation, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
There are currently no confirmed cases as yet in
It is very important that all practices follow the new recommendations of the DHS Chief Health Officer, latest update faxed to practices today (includes new case definitions for ‘suspected’, ‘confirmed’ & ‘probable’ cases, etc) - in the letter it states to advise your local public health unit, in Victoria the practice should be contacting DHS Communicable Disease Prevention & Control Unit on 1300 651 160 or through the after hours paging service 1300 790 733
All practices should have processes to remain updated at least daily on changes to current advice, as events evolve. See http://www.health.vic.gov.au/chiefhealthofficer/alerts/influenza_a.htm
Practices should review, revise & implement their clinic Flu pandemic work-plans in accordance with DHS guidelines: Preparing for an influenza pandemic: An information kit and work-plan
A detailed information session for GPs in conjunction with NDGP will be held on Tuesday 5/5/09 at 12 noon (for 12.30 start), location ‘Institute for Advanced Study, La Trobe University Bundoora’.
Invitation to Swine Flu Information Session Map of Location
Address details and Invitation of this event including map will also follow by fax-stream from your Division.
Dr Peter Eizenberg
Chair, NEVDGP
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The Community Asthma Program (CAP) is seeing more and more children commenced on the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) ciclesonide (Alvesco). Ciclesonide is a relatively new ICS and is now listed on the PBS for use in children from 6 years of age and is available in 80 mcg and 160 mcg Metered Dose Inhalers.
Ciclesonide has two main benefits: A large multicentre, double-blind RCT involving 600 children compared twice daily fluticasone to once daily ciclesonide found similar clinical benefit between the two regimes (QOL, rescue medication use, symptom scores and nocturnal-awakening free days)[1] (Pedersen et al, 2008). This better fits into busy family lifestyles than traditional twice daily dosing regimes. The second benefit is that ciclesonide is a pro-drug, with its active metabolite only forming in the lung[2]. Therefore, ciclesonide is likely to have fewer oropharyngeal side effects than other ICS. Adults with good inhaler technique may not need a spacer. However, children still require administration via a spacer due to coordination issues with drug delivery. Dosing equivalence of ciclesonide is similar to fluticasone with 1:1 dosing ratio.
To refer a patient to CAP, fax a referral (letter or VSRF - under Other templates) to 9345 6231 or phone 9345 5295.
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Tuesday
5 May 12.30-2pm
See editorial for flyer and map
Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the Lecture
Theatre, Ground Floor,
May 5 -
Rhinorrhoea and Sinusitis - Mr Michael Wilson
For full term Tuesday lecture program click here
Austin Health - Division
of Medicine Grand Round
“HIV treatment on a
global scale” – Speaker: Dr Julian Elliott, Infectious Diseases Unit,
Wednesday 6th
May, 12:10pm
at John Lindell Lecture Theatre, Level 4,
Medical Library -
followed by lunch in Zeltner Hall at 1:00pm
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Wednesday 6 May 6:30pm for 7:00pm start. Light meal provided. Speaker: A Prof Christine Macdonald, Dep Director Respiratory Austin Hosp at Northern Division training room. RSVP to Cherry Braine on Tel. 9416 7689. Click here for flyer.
For enquiries, HMR or medication issues contact Dr Jenny Gowan on Tel. 0417 506 944.
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See editorial
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When you add multiple reasons when recording Reason for contact in the Progress Notes:
· in MD3 it is only the first one you enter that is recorded in the Reason for Contact column
· in MD2 it is only the last one you enter that is recorded in the Reason for Contact column
The others you will only see in the individual Progress Notes. I am not sure when this change took place in MD3.
Question: When ordering ‘favourite’ tests you a choice of the “top ten” investigations that you can mark if you want to order them. I’m finding that there are not enough options now in my ‘favourites’. If it could be extended to 2 more I’d find that really helpful; for example I’d like to add Vitamin D and another test and there is no room for adding beyond 10 favourites. Is there any way this can be done?
Answer: No! But I have passed this request onto HCN. My own opinion is that it would be easy to add another 5 as there is certainly enough room in the Pathology request dialogue box.
In eNews No 0911 you were advised that the database search for patients using both PPIs and clopidogrel did not work. This has been rectified in the May update. Many thanks to Dr Andrew Magennis of HCN for resolving this issue so quickly. A world record for HCN.
1. Swine Flu Links – up-to-date on swine flu pandemic found under Program Support - Immunisation
2. Gardasil Recall letter – a reminder for the unimmunised patients that they have until the end of June 2009 to have their first free injection and unti Dec 2009 to receive the other 2. Found under MD templates - Other
3. Transfer to Hospital - new SOPs – Found under Aged Care – Transfer to hospital
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This week’s edition includes: AMA: Importance of health must be reflected in budget, AMA provides feedback on the NHHRC’s interim report, Small business and general business tax bonus and Survey reveals GPs’ attitudes to their working lives.
Waiting times for new referrals to Bundoora Extended Care Centre Inpatient Admissions are currently 0 days as of 30/4/09. Any queries regarding our waiting times please contact Access BECC on 9495 3109
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Tuesday 12th May, 6.30pm to 8.30pm (6.15 registration). Workshop for Practice Nurses presented by Judy Evans and Lynne Walker from walkerevans consulting. This workshop will inform practice nurses of the importance of using an evidence based approach to provide safe and effective nursing care. For further information and registration see flyer.
Residential School in
The program will be held on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 June 09 at Arrow on
Swanston,
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NPS’s most recent non-divisional program urges
judicious use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)s. As part of the program,
NPS provides health professionals with a range of informative educational
opportunities including: 1/ A hypothetical case study to refine their skills:
e-Case study (57):
Proton pump inhibitors – appropriate and safe use; 2/ GP
Clinical Audit pack to Review proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing
(enrol now; see below for more information); 3/ A desktop GP Clinical e-Audit:
Review of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing (to become available in
September) & 4/ Up-to-date information in Prescribing Practice Review
(45): Proton pump inhibitors: step-down to symptom control. Note the PPR
publication is posted directly to GPs. More information is available on
the NPS website (www.nps.org.au).
The 2nd paper clinical audit for the new
QPI PIP year 1 May 2009 - 30 April 2010 is now available for online enrolment (www.nps.org.au), enrolment using paperwork in
PPR 45 or alternatively you enrol using the divisional flyer.
The audit is approved by RACGP for 40 category 1 points in the 2008-2010
triennium. Enrolments close on Friday 12th June 2009 and
completed audit packs MUST be submitted to the NPS by Friday 10th
July 2009.
Please note a desktop GP Clinical e-Audit: Review of
proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing will be made available in September,
should you prefer electronic to paper audits.
Please note the ‘Treating the symptoms of Dementia’
program is due to complete at the end of June 2009. One to one
practice visits and case study meetings for groups of 3 or more GPs are
available. Sessions award 2 RACGP points (category 2 points). The program
will run until end 30th June 2009. The program discuses the
limited benefits of dementia medications (cholinesterase inhibitors &
memantine), use of antipsychotics in dementia and more ….see program flyer.
If you or your practice regularly participates in NPS
divisional activities, do nothing and we will contact YOU to organise your
visit(s).
If you have never taken part in an educational session
and are interested in this topic please contact Dr Mary Levidiotis on 9496 4333 or email mary@nevdgp.org.au or contact Ms Melanie
Hay on 9416 7689 or email Melanie.Hay@ndgp.org.au or use the
attached form to contact us.
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Tuesday 5th May 7-9pm
- (Registration & Refreshments from 6.30pm) Dr Kate Stone, Obstetric
Ultrasonologist,
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Please
note: only new ads, paid ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other
ads can be found on the website
Doctors
Doctors of Ivanhoe is currently seeking a Full-Time GP, approx 8 sessions pw. A position is available for an enthusiastic GP to join our modern, well-equipped 7-doctor practice, offering high-quality care in an experienced and supportive environment. Private billing, computerised, full-time nurse. Contact Dr Peter Eizenberg 0409 408 194 or peter@dr131.com.au
Practice
Staff
Darebin Community Health - Community Health Nurse Grade 3 B required
for 22.5 hrs a week to join the General Practice Team. This role involves a
wide range of clinical duties including triage, health assessments and chronic
disease management. An immunisation certificate is essential and experience in
the community setting would be advantageous. For further information and a
position description, please visit www.dch.org.au.
Enquires: Vanessa Hogarth (Practice Manager) 8470 1826
or email: Vanessa.hogarth@dch.org.au.
Applications close: 8th May 2009
Northcote - Part time position 4 days per week is now available for a RN Div 2 for a busy general practice in a new purpose built facility with a fabulous work environment. Inquiries Diane Cronin 9481 1214 or visit our website www.doctorsofnorthcote.com
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Paddy asks Murphy why scuba divers fall off their boats backwards?
Murphy replies “You idiot! If they fell forwards they'd still be on the bloody boat”.
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And remember…
… success always occurs in private, failure in full view.
[1] Pederson, S. et al. (2008). Efficacy and safety of
ciclesonide once daily and fluticasone propionate twice daily in children with
asthma. Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dec 2008, 1-7.
[2] Kanniess, F., Richter, K., Kanniess, F., Biberger,
C., Nave, R. & Magnussen, H. (2005) Comparison of the oropharyngeal
deposition of inhaled ciclesonide and fluticasone propionate in patients with
asthma. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology,
45 (2), 146-152.