Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT)

WentWest provides support to general practice through resources, education and practice visits on IM/IT.

• Lead Site for Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (PCEHR)
• Computer Security and General Practice
• Practice Incentive Payment (PIP) eHealth Incentive
• IM/IT and Chronic Disease Management (CDM)
• Recall and Reminder Systems
• Telehealth

IM/IT Services

• Quality Improvement Framework (QIF)
• Secure Messaging
• Clinical Software Training
  • Medical Director 3
  • Best Practice
  • PracSoft
• Clinical Software Templates
• Online Health Services Directory (OHSD)
• Links and Resources

 

Lead Site for Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (PCEHR)

As part of the 2010/11 Federal budget, the Australian Government announced a national Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) system would be established for all Australians. A PCEHR will be an individual’s health record connecting information from different health care providers including from general practitioners, public hospitals, community health providers, and emergency departments.

The Greater Western Sydney Consortium, consisting of Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Western Sydney Local Health District, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and WentWest (Western Sydney Medicare Local) and the Nepean and Blue Mountains Divisions of General Practise as well as others, received a 12-month grant to implement the Lead Site for PCEHR in Greater Western Sydney.

The Lead Site for PCEHR in Greater Western Sydney is being rolled out in stages from now until July 2012. It is available to participating hospitals, community health providers, GPs and individuals.

With financial assistance and ongoing support available for early adopter practices, now is the time to get involved and make sharing electronic health records a reality.

More Information

PCEHR GP Fact Sheet
Expression of Interest - Become a Pilot Practice
Frequently Asked Questions - eDischarge

Contact your PCEHR Project Officer on (02) 8811 7100 or email PCEHR@wentwest.com.au.

Computer Security and General Practice

Computer security enhances the efficiency of general practice through maintaining electronic health records. The 4th Edition RACGP Standards includes information security to ensure protection of electronic data. Accredited practices need to satisfy requirements such as appointing a practice IT security Co-ordinator, have password protection, regular backups, antivirus protection and firewalls as well as having a disaster recovery plan in place.

More Information
To learn more about backing up your data download our online factsheet or for assistance with computer security relating to accreditation, please contact your WentWest Area Services Co-ordinator on 02 8811 7100 or email support@wentwest.com.au.

 

Practice Incentive Payment (PIP) eHealth Incentive

Announced in March 2009, this PIP aims to encourage practices to adopt the latest eHealth developments to improve the quality of patient care. The incentive payments are calculated at $6.50 per Standardised Whole Patient Equivalent (SWPE) per year, capped at $12,500 per quarter. These payments replaced the PIP IM/IT Incentive that ceased August 2009.

Practices must be accredited or registered for accreditation to be eligible, and meet the criteria of all three requirements:

1. Secure messaging capabilities - either integrated in your clinical software or via a third party supplier. To see a list of eligible suppliers visit www.nehta.gov.au/pip-vendors.
2. PKI certificate for practice and each practitioner - each practice/branch must have a location/site PKI and each practitioner (except locums) must have (or have applied for) an individual PKI. To apply contact Medicare eBusiness on 1800 700 199 Option 3 or visit: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/vendors/pki/index.jsp.
   
   

   Location/Site PKI – used by the practice as a whole for activities such as online claiming and downloading of test results. Individual PKI – used by individual practitioners to send secure communications such as electronic referrals.

3. Access to key electronic resources - all practitioners must have access to the current editions of a range of key electronic resources. Available on the computer desktop in the consulting room either on the hard drive, as a CD-ROM, or as a direct link to a website.

At least one from each category in Table 1 and three from any of the categories in Table 2.

Resources

eHealth Incentive Guidelines

eHealth Incentive Application Form

Examples of Electronic Clinical Resources

More Information
For more information on Medicare's Practice Incentives Program (PIP) visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/pip, email pip@medicareaustralia.gov.au or call 1800 222 032.

 

IM/IT and Chronic Disease Management (CDM)

Information Management plays an important role in the successful implementation of chronic disease initiatives through tools such as age, sex and disease registers; recall and reminder systems; electronic health care plans together with other support tools. IM/IT can assist general practice to use a systematic approach to chronic disease management.

 

Recall and Reminder Systems

A Recall is an important appointment that relates to the patients current situation, normally to discuss an abnormal report, test or result. It is the Doctor's duty of care to make sure the patient attends the practice and that the consultation is documented. A set number of attempts (minimum 3) is required.

A Reminder is an appointment to provide routine preventative care i.e. Pap Smears, Immunisation, Health Assessments etc. In this instance the duty of care lies with the patient to attend the practice once contacted.

WentWest has a number of resources available to help with implementing and maintaining a successful recall and reminder system:

• Downloadable recall and reminder manuals for Medical Director and Best Practice.
• A sample protocol to help implement a recall and reminder workflow in your practice.
• Waiting room signage templates to inform patients a recall and reminder system is in place; and
• Medical Director 3 and Best Practice training workshops on recall and reminder.

More Information
To learn more about Recall and Reminders download our online factsheet or contact your WentWest Area Services Co-ordinator on (02) 8811 7100 or email support@wentwest.com.au.

 

Telehealth

From 1 July 2011, Medicare Australia will introduce Telehealth, an initiative that aims to address some of the barriers to accessing medical services for Australians in eligible Telehealth areas. Telehealth incorporates video conferencing to link specialists and consultant physicians with patients in remote, regional and outer metropolitan areas, eligible aged care facilities and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) throughout Australia.

 

How will it work?

A GP treating a patient in an eligible area can refer the patient to a specialist for a consultation via Telehealth. During the consultation, the patient (accompanied by an eligible medical practitioner) and specialist will be able to see and hear each other via video conferencing technology.

 

Am I eligible?

Medical practitioners, nurse practitioners and midwives must have a Medicare provider number and provide a Telehealth consultation in an eligible Telehealth area. 

 

Practice nurses and Aboriginal health workers are able to provide services on behalf of a medical practitioner using the medical practitioner’s provider number, as long as that number is located in an eligible Telehealth area. The exception is provision of a Telehealth consultation at a residential aged care service, AMS or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS), which can be located anywhere in Australia.

 

Am I located in the eligible Telehealth area?

For the purposes of Telehealth, an eligible area is a location that is outside inner metropolitan boundaries and can be confirmed by entering the practice’s street address at the link below: http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/Publishing.nsf/Content/locator#metro

 

MBS Item Numbers

From 1 July 2011, 23 new MBS items will be available for patient-end services provided to a patient during their video consultation with a specialist, consultant physician or consultant psychiatrist. The list of available Telehealth item numbers can be found at:

http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/connectinghealthservices-itemlist#patient-end

 

The ‘Telehealth On-Board Incentive’ is paid to an eligible practitioner upon the first occasion that a Medicare benefit is paid for a Telehealth MBS Item billed against a practitioner’s provider number to encourage all health professionals to incorporate Telehealth services. This is a one-off incentive payment of $6,000 payable for each GP (including registrars) within the practice and reduces over the subsequent 3 years.

 

There is no formal application process for practitioners to participate in Telehealth. Successful lodgement of the first MBS Telehealth item number via your Medicare provider number will let Medicare Australia know you are a participating Telehealth practitioner.

 

More Information

Medicare Australia – Telehealth Overview

RACGP - Telehealth Fact Sheet

RACGP - Telehealth Implementation Guide

MBS Online - Telehealth Item Numbers and Financial Incentives

MBS Online - Questions and Answers for Patient-End Practitioners

 

The RACGP is currently developing standards to assist general practice in the uptake of this technology and new service; due to be released October 2011.

 

IM/IT SERVICES

Quality Improvement Framework (QIF)

The QIF aims to assist with chronic disease management through data extraction, analysis and the provision of improvement recommendations by your WentWest representative. WentWest has acquired an electronic data extraction tool, known as the Canning Tool, capable of identifying cohorts of patients that should be targeted for Chronic Disease Management.

GPs need systems that will allow the utilisation of computerised patient data for chronic disease management and allow them to see and then close the gap between known best practice and what is actually delivered to the patient; the Canning Tool provides the ability to do just this. Participants will receive training and ongoing support by WentWest throughout the process.

More Information
Please email data@wentwest.com.au or contact Daniel Hanna on (02) 8811 7100.

 

Secure Messaging

A Secure Messaging service is similar to that of email with the added security of encryption. It allows the instant exchange of any clinical documentation i.e. a referral, discharge summary, specialist assessment etc. Referrals are digitally signed using the Medicare Individual PKI, eliminating the need to send a hard copy with the patient.

Benefits of secure messaging:

• Reduce the use of paper-based communication between health care professionals;
• Provide a communication medium where practitioners have confidence their patients privacy will not be compromised;
• Provide the ability to both send and receive referrals and letters, without delay, using existing clinical software packages;
• Expedite patient transfers and treatment outcomes; and
• Reduce administrative time and costs.

Specialists and Allied Health professionals not using a clinical software package can use the Microsoft Word ad-on, allowing documents to be sent directly from Word.

HealthLink is available to GPs free of charge. If you do not currently have HealthLink installed to send or receive secure messages (including Pathology), simply click this link and complete the online Service Application Form. Alternatively, complete this expression of interest form to have WentWest register you with HealthLink and arrange a technical representative to contact you for the remote installation. HealthLink subscribers who also use Medical Director 3 are able to send messages directly from MDExchange to other clinicians on both the MDExchange and HealthLink networks. Resources - Medical Director 3 Users Using MDExchange to Send Secure Messages Checking Secure Messages are Sent and Received in MD3 Resources - Best Practice Users Using Best Practice to Send Secure Messages Checking Secure Messages are Sent and Received in Best Practice Click for a list of HeathLink users in NSW   Medical-Objects can be installed free of charge for GPs, however there may be a cost involved for ongoing support if required. Simply download and complete the registration form and fax to 07 3221 0220. A Medical-Objects representative will contact you to arrange a short remote installation and show you just how easy it is to send and receive Secure Messages. Information on the service offered by Medical-Objects can be found at: www.medical-objects.com.au or by downloading the an information sheet: GPs Allied Health Professionals Specialists Hospitals Health Informatics Professionals Resources Sending a Secure Message using the Referral Client Viewing the Delivery Report Click for a list of non-GP users on the Medical-Objects network in the WentWest area

More Information
Please email daniel.hanna@wentwest.com.au or contact Daniel Hanna on (02) 8811 7100.

 

Clinical Software Training

Medical Director 3 & Best Practice

Medical Director 3 and Best Practice training workshops are run yearly and cover both clinical and admin areas of the packages.

Click to register for an upcoming workshop in 2012:

Medical Director

Clinical Users - Tuesday, 20th of March

Recall/Reminders and Letters - Tuesday, 15th of May

Best Practice

Clinical Users - Tuesday, 4th of September

Recall/Reminders and Letters - Tuesday, 30th of October

PracSoft

Pracsoft training covers all major areas of the popular billing package including a live demonstration of the Tyro Integrated Easyclaims system.

Click to register for an upcoming PracSoft workshop in 2012

Unable to attend one of our popular training workshops?
Prefer to learn at your own pace or at a time convenient to you?
MD3 and PracSoft Training CDs - Now Available for Loan

WentWest has acquired a library license and is offering the range of Brainbox training CD titles to GPs and practice staff that practice in the WentWest area for a loan period of 2 weeks at a time, at no charge. These audio/visual training CDs allow you to select individual modules and follow along as the trainer guides you through each process.

To see a list of available titles click this link, otherwise simply contact your Area Services Co-ordinator or email support@wentwest.com.au to receive a factsheet of available titles.

WentWest practices wishing to purchase their own copy please click on this link to secure your copy today or call Brainbox Software Training on 03 5798 5231.

 

Clinical Software Templates

Downloading templates:

1. Right select on link and select Save Target As...
2. Select a location on your hard drive (such as the Desktop or My Documents) and select Save.

IMPORTANT

DO NOT open templates except when importing into clinical software as it may corrupt the linked fields causing you to re-download the template.

Importing Template Instructions

• Medical Director
• Best Practice

ABORIGINAL HEALTH
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Aboriginal Child HA 0-14yrs	<	=	/
Aboriginal Person HA 15-54yrs	<	=	/
Aboriginal Person HA 55yrs and Over	<	=	/
PIP Indigenous Health Incentive: Practice Application			/
PIP Indigenous Health Incentive: Patient Consent	<	=	/
PIP Indigenous Health Incentive: Patient Registration	<	=	/
GP Referral	<	=	/
CTG Specialist Referral Letter	<	=
CTG Specialist Referral Letter incl. Progress Notes	<	=
AGED CARE
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Comprehensive Medical Assessment of a Person in Aged Care Facility	<	=	/
CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Asthma Cycle of Care	<	=	/
Australian Diabetes Risk Test 12+ (AUSDRISK)	<	=	/
CAD GPMP and TCA	<	=
COPD GPMP and TCA	<	=
Diabetes Annual Cycle of Care	<	=
Diabetes GPMP and TCA	<	=
GP Referral for Dental Services	<	=	/
721GPMP and 723TCA Combined	<	=
732 Review GPMP	<	=	/
732 Review TCA	<	=	/
HOSPITAL
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Children’s Hospital Westmead Outpatient Clinic Referral	<	=
IMMUNISATION
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Flu vaccine Recall Letter	<	=
Gardasil Recall 2nd and 3rd Dose	<	=
H1N1 Recall Letter	<	=
HPV Vaccine Recall Letter	<	=
Overdue Immunisation Parent Letter	<	=
Immunisation Bike Competition Reminder	<	=
INTEGRATION
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Antenatal Care Referral Letter	<	=	/
HealthOne Referral	<	=
LIFESCRIPTS
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Lifescripts Alcohol Assessment & Prescription	<	=
Lifescripts Nutrition Assessment & Prescription	<	=
Lifescripts Physical Activity Assessment & Prescription	<	=
Lifescripts Smoking Assessment & Prescription	<	=
MENTAL HEALTH
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
Mental Health Treatment Plan	<	=
ATAPS Referral to AHP	<	=
ATAPS Minimum Data Set & Patient Privacy Consent	<	=
ATAPS Minimum Data Set & Patient Privacy Consent - SECURE MESSAGING	<	=
Mental Health Treatment Plan and Review 2710 and 2712	<	=
PREVENTION
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
An Older Person 75yr and Over HA	<	=	/
45-49yr Old Persons HA	<	=	/
HA for a Person with an Intellectual Disability	<	=	/
HA for Refugee or Humanitarian Entrant	<	=	/
Healthy Kids Check by GP/PN	<	=	/
Pap Test Register Data Request	<	=
SHAPE Referral & AUSDRISK Form	<	=	/
SHAPE Referral & AUSDRISK Form - SECURE MESSAGING	<	=
SHAPE Diabetes Support Service Referral Form	<	=	/
SHAPE Diabetes Support Service Referral Form - SECURE MESSAGING	<	=
SHAPE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Referral Form	<	=
SHAREWEST Pre-Exercise Questionnaire & Referral - SECURE MESSAGING	<	=
Pap Test Project Reminder Template	<	=
QUALITY USE OF MEDICINE
Template	Medical Director	Best Practice	Paper Based
HMR Referral	<	=	/
My Pain Management Plan	<	=	/

More Information
For assistance with clinical software templates, contact your WentWest Area Services Co-ordinator on (02) 8811 7100 or email support@wentwest.com.au.

 

Online Health Services Directory (OHSD)

WentWest’s Online Health Services Directory still gives you access to information such as names, addresses, contact numbers and consultation times of over 1400 local health care professionals and centres, but now has added features to make referring patients even easier.

Click for details on the directory's added features.

To access the Directory: Go to www.wentwest.com.au/ohsd Type in your Username and Password If you would like a login account, to be listed on the directory or a demonstration session from your Area Services Co-ordinator, contact us on 8811 7100. Alternatively, log onto the directory at www.wentwest.com.au/ohsd and follow the links.

Links and Resources

MWDGP - Useful Forms, Guides, Tools and Charts site, designed to provide quick access to resources required by GPs on a regular basis.

GPCG – The General Practice Computing Group (GPCG) is the peak national body for GP informatics in Australian general practice.

AGPN – Australian General Practice Network.

PBS – This web site contains the current Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, a listing of the medicines subsidised by the Australian Government.

MBS – Medicare Benefits Schedule search.

Lab Tests Online – Contains up-to-date and reliable information about laboratory tests and how they are used Lab Tests Online Australasia (LTOAU) is the place to look.

ARCHI – The Australian Resource Centre for Healthcare Innovations (ARCHI) is a national information and networking service for health professionals.

World Health Organisation – Directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system.

RACGP 4th edition of Computer Security Guidelines - A self assessment guide and checklist designed to help busy general practices ensure their practice systems are secure.

HSNet ServiceLink - A comprehensive online directory of human services across NSW available free of charge to members of HSNet. Users of WentWest's OHSD have access to this directory from the main search screen.

More Information
To find out more about IM/IT, contact your WentWest's IM/IT Program Co-ordinator, Daniel Hanna on (02) 8811 7100 or email daniel.hanna@wentwest.com.au.

 

Do you have difficulty managing or troubleshooting IT in your practice?

WentWest in currently scoping the provision of IT Support Services to General Practice's, to assist please complete and fax this Expression of Interest form to (02) 9622 3448.

Latest News

Western Sydney Medicare Local progress update, click here to read