CURRENT ISSUES
On this page we intend to keep you informed of Current Issues - these may be News in Medicine or general information of interest.
We intend to also use the page as a Notice Board.
[New computer system] [Blood donation if lived in UK] [Accreditation] [Online repeat prescriptions] [Economy Class Syndrome]
ACCREDITATION
In late 1998, both St Agnes Surgery and Tea Tree Surgery achieved FULL ACCREDITATION under the national accreditation program for General Practice which is administered by AGPAL. Our practices were the second in South Australia, and in the first 40 in Australia to achieve such accreditation. Both practices were reaccredited in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
In October 2010 both surgeries were assessed against stringent standards - both received FULL RE-ACCREDITATION for a further 3 years to January 2014 - both surgeries met every one of the criteria assessed.
Full Accreditation certifies that a practice has met ALL of the many standards set
have been attained. Practice accreditation reflects standards in areas such as
sterilisation, practice facilities, record keeping, staff training, accessibility and
services provided.
Accreditation is one method whereby patients can be assured of high
standards. Many Commonwealth government programs are only available through
accredited practices.
As well as being a fully accredited practice, all of our medical staff are VOCATIONALLY REGISTERED General Practitioners. Vocationally registered GPs must undertake CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION, which is independently monitored by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners over three year cycles.
The combination of Practice Accreditation and Vocational Registration is one way patients can be reassured of quality.
Only practices which are accredited may display this logo :
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MEDTECH 32 - OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM
October 23rd 2000 was an important day for St Agnes Surgery - the day our new computer software "went live"!
The computer program, Medtech 32, is a fully integrated computer package which covers all practice functions including accounting, appointment system and full clinical records. Developed in New Zealand, St Agnes Surgery was the first practice in Australia to install the program. The University Family Practice in Queensland followed shortly afterwards - less than a year later the software was in use in more than 60 Australian general practices.
Medtech 32, in our assessment, is far more advanced than any other general practice computer program available in Australia. The system is being enhanced on a continuing basis.
Ask your doctor or our staff about some of the features when you attend the surgery.
We are very pleased with the package and it's implementation, and are proud to have achieved another "Australian first".
Privacy of patient information is an important issue with increasing computerisation in all aspects of our lives. The data collected by our system is protected by a sophisticated password system and is stored entirely within the practice. No data is available to outside bodies (as it is with some other systems). No advertising is incorporated within the program.
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ON-LINE REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS and RE-REFERRALS
Doctors M Hart, Czechowicz, Hand and LePoidevin provide an on-line repeat prescription and re-referral service for their patients. Information about the service and the conditions which apply, as well as the ORDER FORM are located on the SCRIPTS page of this website.
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AVOID MAKING BLOOD
DONATIONS IF YOU LIVED IN U.K.
FOR 6 MONTHS BETWEEN 1980 and 1996
People who have resided in the United Kingdom for a total of 6 months or more between 1980 and 1986 will not be able to donate blood for the forseeable future. Those people were potentially exposed to "Mad Cow Disease" through eating beef. The human variant of the disease, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which causes rapidly progressive dementia, could theoretically be transmitted via blood donation, although such a case has never been documented.
A number of countries are implementing a similar ban on blood donation until a screening test is available. The risk of having the disease is remote.
More detail is available by phoning the National Blood Information Line 1800 351 000,
or at the website www.health.gov.au/issues.htm
[ note : Mad Cow Disease has now been reported in number of European countries including Germany and France - many beef products from these countries should be avoided - jan 2001]
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There is an increasing awareness of the risks associated with long distance travel - particularly the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Click on ECONOMY CLASS SYNDROME to assess your risk and determine what preventive measures are indicated.
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