No 1030: August 26, 2010
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter
sent to all GP practices (with email addresses) within the
Editorial
Chronic Disease Management Community Asthma Program Survey
Professional Development CPD
events
HMR Calcium
Supplements and Heart Disease, Caffeine
Immunisation Pertussis Epidemic & Zoster Vaccine Update, Cease
using Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior pre-filled syringes, Measles
Alert
Information Management Medical Director Tips
Items of interest Fast Track Your OA Hip and Knee
Patients to Surgery, Referral Guidelines for Top 5 Conditions Causing Vision
Impairment, Cancer in My Family: New Online Support, GP Network News
Mental Health HeaD-ON project
News for Practice Staff Orientation Program, Practice Nurses CPD Scholarships, The Benchmarque Group eNewsletter
Paediatrics Referring
for Child Mental Health, Male Circumcision
Women’s Health Menarche
to Menopause ALM, GP Update in Gynaecological Oncology
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Call for GP Volunteers to join AusAID for 30 day
deployment. The need is for primary care, maternal and child health and
midwifery care. GPV is assisting the Department of Health to establish a
register of GPs who are interested in volunteering for a 30 day deployment to Kot Addu (North of Multan in
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The
Community Asthma Program (CAP) provides an important service to families in the
community, offering free education and support for children with asthma and
their families. The program is currently undergoing an evaluation to assess
their model of care & patient outcomes. GPs across our catchment who have referred
clients to the CAP program will soon receive an electronic, on-line survey to
complete. It would be of great benefit to CAP if you can take the time to
complete the survey to assist us with continuing to provide this valuable
service.
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Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the
Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor,
Aug 31 - Pertussis Epidemic & Zoster Vaccine
Update - Dr Peter Eizenberg.
For full term Tuesday lecture program click here
Austin
Health - Division of Medicine Grand Round
“Global bugs for global travellers:
The role of travel medicine” Speaker: A/Prof Joe Torresi
Wednesday
1st September, 12:30pm at John Lindell Lecture
Theatre, Level 4,
Latest research
& clinical practice for Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for medical practitioners.
Wednesday 15 September
7-9.30pm at General
Practice
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“MI risk
prompts calcium rethink”- A recent paper published in the BMJ 2010;341;c3691 (published on line July31,2010) found
supplementation was associated with an increased risk of MI. Caution is advised
but Osteoporosis
GPs may be interested in a new product being widely advertised - Panadol Extra which contains paracetamol 500mg and caffeine 65mg per tablet. A cup of instant coffee contains 60mg and a short black 107mg. No Doz tablets favoured by some footballers contain 100mg per tablet. A detailed listing of caffeine containing drinks from the RGH Pharmacy Bulletin together with concerns about adverse effects, tolerance and withdrawal and interactions with other medications can be found here
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This is next week’s Tuesday lecture presented by Dr Peter Eizenberg. See under CPD.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Jim Bishop has advised that stability testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior vaccine, for children between 6 months to < 3 years of age, has shown a decline in potency in the 0.25 ml pre-filled syringes. Therefore the vaccine should now be considered expired. To ensure the vaccine is no longer administered, quarantine your stock of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior pre-filled syringes immediately. CSL is retrieving this stock and will contact you shortly.
Safety of the vaccine is not affected - The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised the CMO that revaccination of children who have already received 2 doses of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior is not necessary. The potency of the vaccine administered to date is considered adequate to induce an immune response. If a child aged 6 months to <3 years of age is due to receive a second dose of H1N1 containing vaccine, this can be provided by using the age appropriate dose (0.25ml) obtained from a Panvax multi-dose vial. Alternatively, the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccines (Vaxigrip and Influvac) are also suitable for use. Panvax multi-dose vials and Vaxigrip and Influvac influenza vaccines are not affected.
ATAGI's full advice will be available shortly on www.healthemergency.gov.au and www.immunise.health.gov.au.
The Department of Health (DH) has been notified of 2 confirmed cases of
measles in travellers who returned from
With an average incubation period of 10 to 14 days until onset of rash, secondary cases may now be appearing.
Children or adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving 2 doses of a measles containing vaccine or documented evidence of laboratory confirmed measles are considered to be highly susceptible to measles. See full alert.
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Don’t scroll through the long list of test names when creating an imaging or pathology request – this takes far too much time.
For a radiology test click on one of the top items of the list (painful you have to do this first step) and then type in the first letter only of the test name. This will then jump to those tests beginning with that letter. Double click on the item to add to the request list.
For pathology test click in the Search box and type the first few letters of the test name. This will then jump to those tests beginning with those letters. Double click on the item to add to the request list.
Question: On the rare occasion I need to write a prescription
for a deceased patient, for example when a phone order has been placed to a
nursing home and then the patient dies.
Answer: Yes you can but you need to know how to call up the
record of a deceased patient. Nake sure there is no
patient record open.
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You are now able to directly refer your patients to the Elective Surgery
Access Service (ESAS) at
To refer: Download and complete the
Referral Forms from website (VSRF
and Hip and Knee Form). Fax completed forms to ESAS on (03)9288
3709. Your patient will be triaged at ESAS, and if not suitable
for ESAS, e.g., due to significant co morbidities, will be referred to the SVH Orthopaedic Service. For ESAS enquiries ring (03)9288
2905
The Royal Victorian Eye And Ear Hospital have launched a resource to assist GPs with when to refer, alternate referral pathways and what to include in referrals for the following conditions: Patients with Diabetes, Cataract, Glaucoma, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and Refractive Error. This resource can be accessed via the GP resources page of the Eye And Ear Hospital website.
Cancer
Council Victoria are inviting GPs to refer patients who are at a high risk of
cancer because of a genetic condition or family history to join a new online
support group available via www.cancerconnections.com.au
'Cancer in my
Family' is a professionally moderated group, enabling people in similar
situations to share experiences and common issues via a private online
community at any time of day or night. It is also open to people who have been
identified with genetic conditions such as BRCA1/2, Lynch
syndrome, and FAP. For more information email Kate Wakelin: kate.wakelin@cancervic.org.au
or call 13 11 20.
This week’s edition includes: Seasonal influenza vaccines for children; Support Family Doctors petition; Telemedicine an important component of a modern health system; Online resources on doctors’ health and wellbeing.
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Please consider referring them to the HeaD-ON project, a randomised control trial of CBT designed for individuals suffering from chronic headache/migraine and co-morbid depression, to demonstrate the efficacy of this approach. We are seeking participants aged 18+ who have been diagnosed with frequent or chronic tension type headache and/or migraine (with or without aura). For further information or to refer a patient, please contact the Project Manager, Dr. Rachele Aiello, on 9594 1483 or Maria Lawlor on 9594 1465.
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28 & 29 October Orientation Program for Nurses New to General Practice is already fully booked.
An Australian Government initiative aimed at assisting nurses to further their careers through short courses and/or conferences. Closing Date for Applications: Friday 1 October 2010. Apply online or download application from the website.
August Edition
available here. We are delighted this month to launch our new
website. Nurses interested in
Benchmarque training can apply for the RCNA
scholarships to do these short courses
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Most regions of
It is vital
you send your referrals directly to these services, not to the RCH, even if the
child is in the RCH catchment. This will result in a much more efficient service for you and your
patient.
A reminder:
According to DH policy (2007), the Royal Children’s Hospital will ONLY accept
referrals for circumcision if the child meets the following medical criteria: phimosis, recurrent balanoposthitis
or paraphimosis. Please refer non-medically
indicated referrals to a suitable private surgeon.
English and other language parent and professional resources are available here, or by calling Information Victoria on: 1300 366 356.
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Menarche to Menopause: Health Advantages of Monitoring Fertility, an Active
Learning Module qualifying for 40 Category 1 (women’s health) points is to be
presented at the Novetel Hotel, Glen Waverley on Saturday,
4th September 9.30 – 4.30 by the Ovulation Method
Research and Reference Centre for Australia Ltd. This is an ideal
opportunity to update your knowledge on the signs and symptoms of fertility and
infertility as well as to gain 40 Category 1 (Women’s Health) points for this
current triennium. For further information and registration telephone 1800 335 860
Focus on GP follow up & screening
guidelines in ovarian cancer – the sixth most common cause of cancer-related
death among women in
Dr Peter Grant – Clinical Assoc Prof.
Head, Gynaecological Oncology Unit,
Tuesday 7th
September, 7-9pm (Registration &
Refreshments from 6.30pm) at Level 4
Registrations: Merran Mackie 8458 4833 / mmackie@mercy.com.au
/ or click here
for registration flyer
Allocated 4 (Category 2) points in the RACGP QA & CPD Program for
the 2008-2010 triennium.
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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
Diamond Creek ( Near Eltham & Greensborough ) – VR GP wanted full time or part-time to join our lovely established Family Practice, accredited since 2001, computerised & with mixed billing. 1 in 6 Saturdays 8.30am – 12noon. No Sundays or public holidays. Outer Metro area (relocation incentive grants). Pay and conditions negotiable. Opening hours Mon- Friday 8.30am – 7pm. Saturday 8.30am – 12noon. Contact Sheila Bouskill on 03 9438 3888 or e-mail diamondvalleyclinic@netspace.net.au
Ivanhoe -
VR GP FT or PT required to work in this GP operated accredited medical centre.
A friendly and supportive team environment in this computerised medical centre
with Psychologists, Physiotherapist, Podiatrist, Dietician, Nursing staff and
Radiology on site, no After Hour’s, family friendly, flexible hours . Please
contact John or Ken on 03 9497 1188.
Northcote – F/t P/T 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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And remember…
… Never believe anything until it has been officially denied.