New RACGP resource: Improving health record quality in general practice
The quality of patient health records is an important factor in the provision of safe and effective healthcare for individual patients and practice populations.
The RACGP is pleased to introduce a new resource for members,
Improving health record quality in general practice.
The guide assists practices in maintaining quality patient health records, outlining what constitutes quality patient health information and how practices can introduce systems and processes to ensure fit-for-purpose patient health records.
Visit the RACGP website to download the guide.
RACGP submission related to non-mydriatic retinal photography in people with diagnosed diabetes
The RACGP has responded to the Medicare Benefits Division report to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) on utilisation of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) services related to non-mydriatic retinal photography (NMP) in people with diagnosed diabetes (the report).
The report is part of MSAC’s process to monitor the utilisation of new MBS items that were supported by MSAC following at least 24 months of their MBS listing. It showed low utilisation of the new NMP items and suggested various recommendations to increase uptake of the items.
The RACGP’s submission supported the continued provision of MBS items for NMP in general practice. It detailed barriers for GPs providing NMP services and responded to various recommendations made in the report, including support for introduction of a GP incentive item for rural and remote locations to promote the uptake of NMP services.
In Practice poll – Wound management in general practice
With the appropriate supports, wound care can be effectively and efficiently managed in the general practice setting. However, there are some general practices that have identified a range of barriers limiting their ability to provide patients with wound management services. As a result, patients might be re-directed to more costly emergency departments and hospitals for care.
While there is an understanding that procedural care is remunerated at a higher value than ‘cognitive’ care, costs associated with wound management have increased over time as material items have modernised (ie disposable instruments, modern dressings). Additionally, infection control requirements have become more stringent and training for wound management continues to evolve.
The RACGP wants to understand what barriers you experience in providing wound management services at your general practice.
What barriers have you encountered that limit your practice’s ability to provide wound management services? (Select as many as apply)
What barriers have you encountered that limit your practice’s ability to provide wound management services? (Select as many as apply)
The poll is closed.
| Remuneration for service provision – Inadequate remuneration for time required for appropriate practice staff (eg practice nurse) to provide wound management services |
| Equipment and systems costs – Expenses related to wound management consumables and equipment (eg dressings) and implementation of infection control requirements |
| Practice setup – Lack of space required for wound management (eg treatment room) |
| Stock handling – Insufficient practice capacity for safe and secure stock handling and storage |
| Training – Lack of access to evidence-based training for wound management |
| Skill development – Insufficient access to activities focussed on development and maintenance of wound management skills |
| Staff resourcing – Insufficient support staff to provide wound management services (eg practice nurse) |
| None – I don’t face any barriers in providing wound management services |
| Other – email advocacy@racgp.org.au |