We’ve made important updates to the Standards for general practices (5th edition), recognising the importance of practices being prepared for potential clinical emergencies.
These changes include immediate access to an electrocardiograph and an automatic external defibrillator (AED).
All changes are outlined in this factsheet.
The following indicators have been updated to “flagged” (mandatory) to reflect these complex healthcare needs:
- GP1.1►C – Our recorded phone message advises patients to call 000 in case of an emergency.
- GP5.2►E – Our practice has a defibrillator.
In addition, electrocardiograph is now included in the list of mandatory practice equipment (GP5.2►A), while practices must maintain the current requirement for timely access to a spirometer (GP5.2►D).
Accredited general practices will have 12 months from the publication of the changes (February 2023) to meet these new requirements. This transition period is consistent with all previous updates to the Standards. General practices that already have the required systems and equipment in place will be assessed as having ‘met’ these requirements at their accreditation.
When we made these updates in late February, we advised a change from cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to basic life support (BLS) training for all practice staff.
After considering member feedback and the unintended consequences of the proposed change, we’ve decided to revert this requirement back to CPR for all clinical and non-clinical staff (to complete CPR training at least once every three years).