No 0919: June 4, 2009
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter
sent to all GP practices (with email addresses) within the
Editorial Doctors Control Panel gets even better!!
Aged Care Geriatric Management
Professional Development CPD events
Immunisation Swine flu update , Flu and Swine Flu Waiting Room Posters, RACGP Practice Posters
Information
Management includes General Computer Tip, Medical
Director Tips and New on the Web
Items of
interest VHIA Bulletin
1460 - Influenza Pandemic, Carpal tunnel article, NEMICS newsletter, Specialist
Endocrinologist, GP Network News, BECC waiting times
Mental Health Mental
Health Program for GP Health
News for
Practice Staff Treating Symptoms of
Dementia, 4 year old health check, e-Learning Training Package for nurses
NPS NOW
Visiting on ‘Treating the Symptoms of Dementia’
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NB: There will be no eNews next week, due to tropical retreat and cocktails. Next edition will be June 18.
Sometimes you see a software program and you think “Wow! How fantastic is that?!!”
This happened to Noel yet again, when he saw the most recent version of the Doctor’s Control Panel demonstrated by
local Melbourne GP, Dr
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A few vacancies left for GPs for an ALM on Wound care and Falls and Balance jointly conducted by NDGP/NEVDGP & Northern Health. ALM or Cat 2 points available.
**TONIGHT**
4 June & 25 June 6.30 - 9.30pm.Flyer
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Doctors Control Panel – going green, MIA Direct - online image delivery, Remote Access and 3G Internet Access
Thursday 25th June, 6:30pm – 9.00pm (Dinner
Provided) at John Scott Meeting House,
La
Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the
Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor,
June 9 - Trauma Related Mental Disorders - Dr John Cooper
For full term Tuesday lecture program click here
Austin Health - Division
of Medicine Grand Round
“Eye as a window to
the brain” Speaker: Professor Tien Wong, Centre for
Eye Research
Wednesday 10th
June, 12:10pm
at John Lindell Lecture Theatre, Level 4,
An invitation
from Melbourne GP Network for GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and reception
staff to attend this workshop presented by walkerevans
consulting
Wednesday
10th June 7-9pm - Dinner and registration from 6.30pm
at The Treacy
Conference Centre, 126 The Avenue,
Andrology
Clinical
Conversation on The Management of Patients with Parkinson’s: A
special presentation on Parkinson’s disease: diagnosis, symptom management and
surgical interventions. Presenter: Parkinson’s Specialist, Associate
Professor David Williams Monday June 29th 6:30pm at The Treacy
Centre, 126 The Avenue,
The National QA&CPD unit has put together an 'Individual GP Supervisor Active Learning Module (ALM)' for all the GP Supervisors looking after registrars. This will entitle all the GP Supervisors to claim 40 category 1 points only once within the triennium, all they need to do is submit a completed Individual GP Supervisor Active Learning Module (ALM) to their respective QA&CPD unit. Click here for the application form and guide. The form will also be circulated in the next edition of e--bulllletin. Should you have any questions about this new form please do not hesitate to contact us on 03 8699 0483.
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For the most up-to-date information:
· Visit www.health.vic.gov.au and DHS website. The latest Media release from the Victorian Minister for Health is here.
· Call the Influenza Hotline on 180 2007 or
· Call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
· Doctors who want to report a suspected case call 1300 651 160
This joint production of Livingstone St MC and NEVDGP will supply a practice with these A3 laminated posters – check them first to see if appropriate:
FLU SEASON IS HERE - procedures if you are coughing or sneezing in the waiting room
DO NOT ENTER - procedures to follow if you arrive with high temperatures, been recently overseas or have been in contact with someone with swine flu.
Contact Noel or John on (03) 9496 4333
The RACGP has a number of posters designed to be displayed at reception or in your practice waiting area. If you would like the division to print these for you in colour in A4 or A3 size please contact John or Noel on 9496 4333. Please indicate if you want them laminated. Limit of 1 poster per practice.
The following posters are available:
· Patient Alert Poster (334Kb)
· 'Bug Alert' flu symptoms poster (2.6Mb)
· Infection Control in pandemics (1.7Mb)
· Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (208Kb)
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For programs you use all the time, such as your email program or MS Word, you can create a quick link on the taskbar (the bar across the bottom of your screen next to the start menu).
1. Unlock the taskbar – right click on the taskbar and click on Lock the Taskbar (if there is a tick next to it).
2. Open the start menu and from Programs navigate your way to the program you want to add to the taskbar.
3. Hold down the Ctrl key and drag the icon onto the taskbar (holding down the Ctrl key means you copy the shortcut NOT move it).
4. Lock the taskbar – right click on taskbar and click Lock the Taskbar – this is recommended to avoid accidently moving or losing icons.
Each month the MD database is updated. It is worth having a quick look to see listings of new medications, different strengths and what has been discontinued.
1. From the Resources menu select What’s New in MDRef…
2. Go through the list
This is how it looks:
· Actonel Combi D tab+sachets (new RPBS listing)
· Actonel Once-a-Month tablets (new strength; 4 pack-sizes)
· Adalimumab (new PBS listings)
· Apo-Pravastatin tablets (2 new strengths)
… and lots more
Question: When I create a pathology or radiology request I sometimes create my own clinical notes. Is there a way I can save these and use them again?
Answer: Add you “custom text” by
typing directly into the Selected
text box. If you tick the Save Text to
List check box, your “custom text” will be added to the Available list the next time you open
the Pathology Request portal.
1. Clinical Audit Tool documentation – revamped section, including APCC reports and CAT report by individual doctor – found under Information Management - PEN
2. Waiting Room Posters – procedures to follow during current flu season - found under Program Support - Immunisation
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VHIA has released a bulletin updating employers and employees about their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It outlines the impact of a pandemic on the workplace, workcover claims, the employers’ duty of care, the consultation process, and your employees responsibility to minimise risk to themselves and others. If you would like a copy of this update please contact Karen Hoffmann, on phone number 8345 5651 or email khoffmann@impetus.org.au or contact VHIA on 9861 4000.
Dr Richard Harrison has suggested that this article from the Mayo Clinic on carpal tunnel could be quite useful for your patients. “The Mayo site, www.Mayoclinic.com”, he adds “has lots of handouts and is a good secondary source for subjects not covered on the NEVDGP website - NEVDGP is still my home page though!”
The latest North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Service newsletter highlighting new release and forthcoming events can be found here.
Dr Elif Ekinci and Dr
Felicity Pyrlis will commence private practice in Ivanhoe
in July 2009 at the rooms of Endocrinologist Dr Mario DeLuise.
As Dr DeLuise is retiring at the end of 2009 they
will provide ongoing specialist care to his current patients and also accept
new referrals for all endocrinological problems
including: Diabetes- Type I / Type II, Hypertension, Thyroid Disorders,
Osteoporosis and metabolic bone disorders, Lipid disorders, Pituitary
disorders, Adrenal disorders. For appointments or clinical advice contact
Ivanhoe Specialist Centre,
This week’s edition includes: 29 May 2009 Human swine influenza – latest advice from the Chief Medical Officer, AMA submission on point of care testing, AMA submission on code of conduct for doctors, Reducing suicide in men through general practice, 2009 GPET Awards.
Waiting times for new referrals to Bundoora Extended Care Centre Inpatient Admissions are currently approximately Gem & Rehab 1-3days as of 3/6/09. Any queries regarding our waiting times please contact Access BECC on 9495 3109
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The Mental Health Small Group for GPs has commenced it’s second program and will meet on the last Tuesday night
of each month at 7pm - 9pm. The meeting is held in the Board Room, North
East Valley Div of General Practice,
If you wish to attend on June 30 ring Jennie Rickard on 9496 4333 for further information.
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Wednesday
10th June 7 - 8.30pm (Registrations 6.30) at John Scott Meeting House.
Registration: see flyer.
This session provides a valuable opportunity to discuss up-to-date, independent, practical, evidence-based information on current therapeutic issues with a trained NPS facilitator.
Ausmed are running 2 more 1 day workshops on the 4
year old health check this year in
This package for Medicare Item 10997
applies to the provision of monitoring and support to people with a chronic
disease care plan by a practice nurse or registered Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Health Worker on behalf of a general practitioner. The package
consists of a pre-requisite foundation module and a series of six
chronic-disease modules which can be assessed free of charge until 31st August
2009, after which time a charge will be levied. The modules can be accessed on
the RCNA 3LP website here and
follow the instructions on the front page under ‘Getting started’. For more
detail visit NEVDGP website under
Practice Nurses Network – Nurse Education
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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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Please
note: only new ads, paid ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other
ads can be found on the website
Doctors
Bundoora - GP wanted for Villa Maria Aged Care Home. Contact Jadranka Pesut-Popovic on 9467 9011 Extension 157.
Greensborough Road Surgery is currently seeking a Full-Time GP, approx 8 sessions pw. A position is available for an enthusiastic GP to join our team in a modern, well-equipped 8-doctor practice, offering high-quality care in an experienced and supportive environment. Private billing, computerised, 2 full-time nurses, (clinical and CDM.) Contact Ann McCormack (03) 9435 0711 or email grs@grs.net.au
Practice
Staff
Alphington MC - Part time or Full Time position now available for an experience practice nurse RN Div 1 for a busy general practice. Friendly supportive, environment and excellent remuneration. Inquiries: Rosa Merigan 9481 4861 or email rosa@alphingtonmc.com.au.
Bundoora - Busy Family Medical Centre, fully accredited, requires a part time Medical Receptionist for approximately 15 hours a week. Willing to relieve for holidays and sick leave. Contact Michele Jones, Practice Manager or Penny Ashton on 94671444.
Kinglake Community Medical Centre - Experienced Medical Receptionist wanted for this medical practice which has been established in response to the devastating Black Saturday bushfires. There are currently 12 volunteer GPs working on rotation. This position provides the opportunity to support a community severely affected by the bushfires. Initially a 6 month F/T OR 6 month P/T (job share) position is available with the possibility of extension. Experience with Medical Director and/or Pracsoft (Practice Management computer software) will be highly regarded. Job description available on North East Valley Division of General Practice Website (www.nevdgp.org.au) under “Practice Support” or by phone on 9496 4333. Applications close at 4.00pm on June 19, 2009
Northern Health - Project Officer - An exciting part time (2 days per week), limited tenured position (9 months) has been created to support a recently DHS funded Specialist Services Improvement initiative. Based at the Northern Hospital. Position description and on line application available on http://northernhealth.mhr.com.au/. Applications close Monday 15th June.
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Miss Beatrice was in her eighties and had never been married. She was
admired for her sweetness and kindness to all. One afternoon
the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room.
She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea.
As he sat facing her old
The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its
strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer
resist. "Miss Beatrice", he said, "I wonder if you would tell me
about this?" pointing to the bowl.
"Oh, yes," she replied, "Isn't it wonderful? I was walking
through the Park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground.
The directions said to place it on the organ,
keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease. Do you know I
haven't had the flu all winter."
Editor’s note: Ok! Ok! I know this one has been in before but it was a few years ago, it is flu season after all and I like it!
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And remember…
… a day without sunshine is like .. night.