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Timely News for Australian
 Medical Practice Managers

July 2014
LATEST NEWS!

 

Infection Prevention and Control Standards

The RACGP has released the 5th edition of the Infection Prevention and Control Standards for general practices and other office-based and community practices. The Standards can now be downloaded for free on the RACGP website ... read more

 

New Minimum Wages From 1 July 2014

You can find the updated minimum wages and allowances on the Fair Work website using their "Pay Tools" ... read more

 

Medicare News

Changes to PBS/Restricted PBS Prescription Pad Orders

Hand-written orders for personalised prescription books and computer forms that are received after 30 June 2014 will not be processed and will be returned to the prescriber. Forms now need to be downloaded from the Medicare website ... read more

 

MBS Items 701-715

Medicare has recently reviewed MBS Health Assessment items 701-707. No changes have been made to the regulations or the item descriptors for these health assessments. Under MBS items 701-715 practice nurses may assist a GP with performing the health assessments ... read more

 

Online Claiming

Did you know that if your practice does not offer electronic claiming at the time of consultation, patients can create a myGov account that they can link to their Medicare online account so they can claim online for common items ... read more

 

Telehealth Incentives Program Ceased

The Telehealth Financial Incentives Program ceased on 30 June 2014 - any services provided after this date will not attract any incentive payments. The deadline for submitting claims for services provided prior to 30 June is 31 December 2014 ... read more

 

MBS Online

The 1 July 2014 MBS files are now available for download ... read more. Information to assist with downloading can be found on the MBS Online website.

 

Health Complaints Entities

From 1 July 2014 the Office of the Health Ombudsman replaced the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) in Queensland. 

Their new contact details are:

133 OHO (133 646)

info@oho.qld.gov.au | www.oho.qld.gov.au | PO Box 13281, George Street, Brisbane

 

Please amend your Practice Information Brochure and website to reflect the new health service complaints agency. 

 

To find out the contact details for the Health Complaints entity in your state click here.

Did You Know.....
The most common causes of injury to children under five years of age are falls, burns and poisoning but many people don't think about their dishwashers being a hazard in the home. 
Dishwashers give children easy access to sharp knives, glasses and also the dishwashing powder can irritate skin and eyes or if swallowed can burn the mouth and oesophagus. 

If you have a child present to the practice who you think has ingested dishwashing powder, the faster they receive medical treatment, the better the chance of recovery - symptoms can include severe burning/pain in the nose, eyes, ears or throat, vomiting and breathing difficulties.

TOP TIP FOR ACCREDITATION
Our practice provides patients with adequate information about our practice to facilitate access to care.
 

Providing written information about your practice is important as patients need to be informed about:

  • what clinical services are available at the practice
  • how to obtain medical care within and outside opening hours
  • billing principles
  • communication policies
  • patient health information management
  • the process of follow-up of results
  • how to provide feedback and complaints - including the contact details of the

If your practice has a website, the information must be kept up-to-date and accurate and contain at a minimum the information which is in the Practice Information Brochure. Advertising must comply with the MBA Code of Conduct e.g. all information must be factual and verifiable; not making unfair or inaccurate comparisons between your services and others; not offering inducements or using testimonials.  
 
ARE YOU READY FOR ACCREDITATION? 
  • Is your practice coming up for Accreditation?
  • Is your practice team aware of the changes from the 3rd to the 4th Standards
  • Do you need to update your Policy and Procedure Manual
Medical Directions can help! We can customise a package to meet your practice needs.

RESOURCES ON KNOWNOW!

knowNOW! has numerous direct links which will save you time - for example:
 
 
Sign up today to receive a month's free trial of knowNOW! and once you realise how much it will help your practice it's just $38.95 per month which includes unlimited users! 

  

 

Click here to register for your FREE 30 Day trial of knowNOW!


RECIPE OF THE MONTH  
 
Garlic and Chilli Chicken with Basil   
 
 
 
 
 
Ingredients  

600 gr chicken breast fillets

2 cloves of garlic

1 small red chilli - sliced thinly

1 small green chilli - sliced thinly

2 tbsp lemon juice

60 mls oyster sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

2 medium onions - sliced

1 red capsicum - chopped

2 tsp cornflour

250 mls chicken stock

Fresh basil leaves

4 spring onions - thinly slices

 

Method 

Combine chicken, garlic, chillies, lemon juice and sauce, cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.

Heat half of the oil in a wok, stir chicken mixture in batches until browned - remove from wok.

Heat remaining oil and stir fry white onion and capsicum until soft.

Return chicken mixture to the wok with blended cornflour and stock, stir until mixture boils and thickens slightly.

Stir in basil and green onion.

ENJOY!

 

If you have a favourite recipe that you would like to share, please send it to chris@medicaldirections.com.au and we'll include it in our newsletter.
Kathryn Davis
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I would love to hear your feedback on my newsletters or if you have a story to share or a question to ask please email me.
 
Until next time ... take care!
Kath Signature PNG  

P: 1300 978 897 | E: kathryn@medicaldirections.com.au | W: www.medicaldirections.com.au


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