Here are a few I have come across the last week or so. Note: Each link is followed by a title and a few paragraphs. For the full article click on the link above title of the article. Note also that full access to some links may require site registration or subscription payment.
General Comment
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Quite a busy week with many interesting stories about. Enjoy the read.
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https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/anz/act-launches-real-time-prescription-monitoring-system
ACT launches real-time prescription monitoring system
Canberra Script will replace the existing DORA prescription monitoring system that has operated since 2019.
By Adam Ang
March 01, 2022 03:44 AM
The Australian Capital Territory government has rolled out its new real-time prescription monitoring system that will assist doctors and pharmacists in prescribing or dispensing monitored medicines.
Canberra Script is a web-based portal that will replace the existing Drugs and Poisons Information System Online Remote Access (known as DORA), which has operated since 2019.
This digital tool will provide information about controlled medicines (schedule 8) and some prescription-only medicines (schedule 4) that are associated with abuse or misuse, such as Benzodiazepines. Doctors can also seek approval from the chief health officer through the portal to prescribe controlled medicines.
In a media release in May last year, the ACT Health Directorate mentioned that Canberra Script will include real-time alerts and notifications that inform health professionals of signs their patients are exhibiting drug-seeking behaviour, such as doctor shopping.
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Apps can help improve wound care, according to eHealth NSW study
Findings from this latest study can potentially guide the wide adoption of a wound management app across health services in Australia.
By Adam Ang
February 28, 2022 04:09 AM
A recent study conducted in a health service in Australia's New South Wales found improvements in wound documentation when using an AI-enabled mobile app.
The research project evaluated the usability and effectiveness of Tissue Analytics (TA), a cloud-based mobile wound care app from the US, in assessing and managing wounds from both clinician and patient user perspectives. It was supported by a grant from eHealth NSW, the digital health-focused organisation within the New South Wales Ministry of Health.
FINDINGS
The study, whose findings were published in the International Wound Journal last week, was conducted in four healthcare settings in one NSW health service. Three sites were an aged care ward, a colorectal ward and an outpatient dermatology clinic in an unnamed 800-bed quaternary hospital. The fourth setting was primary care community services across the health service.
Researchers chose the TA app as it met all requirements to meet the health service's needs, including wound image capture, EMR and telehealth integrations, aggregated wound data, and algorithms for clinical decision support. The app analyses a wound's dimensions and perimeters, surface area, and tissue composition and renders augmented visual images.
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How The Queen Elizabeth Hospital reduced patient waitlist times by 71% with digital patient pathways
The hospital says it has seen reduced booking wait times and drops in phone calls.
By Adam Ang
March 03, 2022 12:07 AM
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, has reduced how long patients have to wait for their endoscopy or colonoscopy procedures through digital patient pathways.
WHY IT MATTERS
Since 2008, the 303-bed teaching hospital has provided care to endoscopy patients through its Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) programme. This programme seeks to give accelerated care access to eligible, lower-risk patients
Over the years, the DAC has seen a significant increase in demand. As a result, the workload involved with conducting risk assessments has gone up significantly while the volume of calls, coupled with triage time, has also swelled. The added pressure has led to longer waitlists and in some instances, underutilisation of theatres, the hospital noted.
To address these issues, TQEH worked with Personify Care in 2021 to deliver the programme via digital patient pathways.
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St. Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital adopts Citadel Health's oncology IMS
The centralised platform is able to process information from about 50 oncology patients daily.
By Adam Ang
March 02, 2022 05:04 AM
Health tech provider Citadel Health has signed a five-year deal to deliver its oncology information management system to St. Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital, an acute care private hospital in Queensland.
WHAT IT DOES
According to a press release, CHARM Evolution offers a centralised, user-friendly digital platform that helps deliver and manage patient information. Citadel Health claims that its solution enhances efficiency, safety, and communication between hospital staff involved in the provision of care to cancer patients. Among its features is an intelligent pathway engine that automates every aspect of patient care and lends support for clinical workflow.
WHY IT MATTERS
The solution is St. Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital's first centralised patient record combining simplified reporting, appointment scheduling and treatment plans for about 50 oncology patients per day.
Jamie Wann, the hospital's director of nursing, said they are already benefitting from the platform's pathway notes that keep their team informed of any changes, as well as its ability to remove transcription errors, omissions, and duplication of medication orders. He added that integrating the system with its existing PAS and Pharmacy systems have provided "extra efficiencies by automating previously manual processes".
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http://www.healthintersections.com.au/?p=3094
Soliciting Feedback concerning the roadmap for #FHIR R5
Posted on February 28, 2022 by Grahame Grieve
See my post over at the onfhir blog:
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Digital Health CRC appoints Kate Munnings as new Chair
Monday, 28 February, 2022
The Digital Health CRC has appointed Kate Munnings as its new Chair following the retirement of Michael Walsh.
As CEO of IVF provider Virtus Health, Munnings has a strong track record in operating complex health services. She is passionate about the improvements in both patient outcomes and experiences that result from the integration of digital solutions in health care.
Munnings, who has also been a Director of the DHCRC since 2019, thanked Michael Walsh for his ongoing support and dedication to the organisation.
“Michael is retiring from the Board to allow him to develop his work with our large and diverse partner network. This will avoid any conflicts of interest in doing so and maintain the independence requirements of the DHCRC’s Chair,” Munnings said.
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https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/597018/Covid-shared-record-causes-cacophony-of-complaints.htm
Covid shared record causes ‘cacophony of complaints’
Sunday, 27 February 2022
NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth
A new shared record system for
Covid patients has caused a “cacophony of complaints” from GPs and should be
“very much an option” for them to use, GP leaders say.
GP leaders spoken to by eHealthNews say the Covid Clinical Care Module (CCCM)
is not fit for purpose and is creating more work and stress when GPs are
already exceptionally busy dealing with the high volume of Covid-19 cases.
The CCCM is an iteration of the Border Clinical Management System,
which was developed for use in Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities and
is a modified version of the indici practice management system.
All Covid-19 care in the community hubs, general practices and some other
healthcare providers are able to access the CCCM.
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https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/597391/National-security-operations-centre-for-health-.htm
Nationally coordinated security operations centre for health
Tuesday, 1 March 2022
NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth
The Ministry of Health is
looking to create a nationally coordinated Security Operations Centre (SOC)
capability to help detect and protect against cyber-attacks, as well as respond
to incidents.
The Ministry has also confirmed that a review of the May 2021 Waikato DHB cyber
incident is underway and should be completed in the first quarter of 2022.
Matthew Lord, information technology security manager, data and digital, says
the SOC would not be a single organisation, but act like a centre of excellence
to share knowledge and expertise and particularly to “help provide better
support to primary care”.
Some DHBs and other health organisations already have SOC capabilities,
but the idea is to coordinate and align SOC functions to allow monitoring and
assistance across the health system during an incident, he says.
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Tū Ora Compass Health, Pinnacle launch after-hours telehealth service
The telehealth service will be rolled out via 45 practices this month.
By Adam Ang
March 03, 2022 03:36 AM
Primary health organisations Tū Ora Compass Health and Pinnacle Midlands Health Network have developed and launched a new telehealth service providing after-hours care.
Practice Plus offers same-day appointments of after-hours virtual consultation on weekday evenings from 5-10 pm and on weekends from 8 am-8 pm. It also enables sending electronic prescriptions directly to patients' preferred pharmacies via the NZ ePrescription Service.
Co-designed with practice teams from the two health networks, the platform went online in early February. It will be launched in tranches this March across 45 practices under Tū Ora Compass Health and Pinnacle, as well as those under the two North Island-based networks, Te Awakairangi Health Network and Think Hauora. The service is expected to reach around one million patients by yearend.
WHY IT MATTERS
Explaining their reason for developing Practice Plus, Pinnacle's acting chief executive Justin Butcher said they wanted to create a telehealth solution that "[complemented] rather than competed with a person's own general practice". Based on a website description, Practice Plus users need not download an app or change doctors to access the platform's service. They can still be enrolled with their usual care provider when they register on the telehealth portal.
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https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/racgp/in-practice-rural-training-grants-for-gps
Digital health on-demand webinar
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rapid increase in the use of
technology to enable continuity of care.
Delivered in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency, this
webinar provides an opportunity for GPs to strengthen digital capabilities to
ensure ongoing provision of care, as physical and digital consultations are
delivered seamlessly as a core feature of general practice.
The webinar attracts two CPD points and will cover:
· communication tools – secure electronic communications, email
· business tools – website, online bookings, social media, privacy and security
· clinical tools – telehealth, My Health Record, eRequesting, electronic prescribing, apps
· the challenges of digital health
· planning for a digital health future.
https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/support
Support
Access to resources to assist you with your digital health journey.
Have a question or would like to give feedback? Get in touch with us by phone, mail or through our social media channels. For answers to commonly asked questions, try using the 'Digital Health Chat' virtual assist in the bottom right corner, or click on your preferred link below to get started.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/esmart-workshop-my-health-record-tickets-260854632227
eSmart Workshop: My Health Record
Date and time Mon., 28 March 2022
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm AWST
Location Innovation Lab, Belmont Hub
213 Wright Street
Cloverdale, WA 6105
Event Information
Learn how to access your My Health Record online.
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https://marketplace.service.gov.au/2/digital-marketplace/opportunities/19513
Australian Digital Health Agency
DH4114 Senior Data Analyst
Opportunity ID 19513
Deadline for asking questions Wednesday 2 March 2022 at 6pm (in Canberra)
Application closing date Friday 4 March 2022 at 6pm (in Canberra)
Published Monday 28 February 2022
Category ICT systems integration
Overview
The Senior Data Engineer provides credentialed data expertise and technical analysis support to innovate, build, and maintain well-managed data solutions and capabilities to solve business problems. This senior data engineer takes ownership of the Agency’s data analytics, more specifically related to the research and public health use of My Health Record data analytic infrastructure project. Their work will empower the project team and guide business decisions. This position also entails providing support in the creation of detailed analytical models by providing expert opinion related to the integration and processing of data relevant to the Agency supporting the data-driven decision-making process across the organisation. The Senior Data Engineer will have to handle multiple simultaneous tasks, prioritize work, and remain functional under pressure, and short timelines.
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https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/careers/senior-advisor-learning-development
Senior Advisor - Learning & Development
APS6
($101,757 - $114,800)
Corporate
Services Division > Human Resources (HR) and People
Brisbane,
Canberra, Sydney
Closing - 20 Mar 2022
Division Overview
Corporate Services – responsible for bringing together our corporate enabling services so that they are coordinated, effective and mutually reinforcing.
Primary Purpose of Position
The APS6 Senior Advisor, Learning and Development (L&D) position supports the delivery of the Agency’s L&D strategy, and development and application of L&D training programs and workshops across the Agency. They will play a key role working with the Manager L&D in the development and implementation of strategic L&D planning, L&D program and project management and L&D policy development. In addition, they will be providing detailed technical, professional, and/or policy advice in relation to L&D and capability development across the Agency. They will be responsible for project management including tracking and reporting on delivery and elevating risks.
Essential Requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a level designated by the Agency on request
- Ability to obtain and maintain national police check
- Australian Citizenship is a condition of eligibility
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https://www.innovationaus.com/accentures-government-contracts-up-62m-in-the-last-year/
Accenture’s government contracts up $62m in the last year
Denham Sadler
National Affairs Editor
3 March 2022
Accenture enjoyed a near-20 per cent increase in its federal government work in the last year, with the Irish-domiciled tech consultancy landing an extra $62 million in Commonwealth-procured contracts.
An investigation of AusTender contracts by InnovationAus.com has found that the federal government paid Accenture $371.5 million across 104 contracts in the 2020-21 financial year.
This was up from the $309.9 million that Accenture was paid in the previous financial year, an increase of $61.598 million.
These figures relate to the actual dollar amount paid to Accenture in the financial year, rather than the value of the contracts awarded in the year.
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https://www.miragenews.com/updates-to-medicare-and-pbs-pki-site-735860/
3 Mar 2022 1:10 pm AEDT
Updates to Medicare and PBS PKI site certificates
Australian Medical Association
Services Australia is reminding general practices to renew and install their PKI site certificates before 13 March 2022 to ensure they can continue to transact digitally. Services Australia is currently renewing all PKI site certificates for Medicare and PBS.
Most PKI site certificates have been automatically renewed. Where automatic renewal wasn’t possible, the Agency mailed a CD with the renewed certificate to healthcare locations which were mostly sent in mid-2021 to the last known Certificate Manager registered in its system.
What general practices need to do
Practices who received a CD, must install their renewed certificate before 13 March 2022. Installing your renewed certificate will ensure you are able to transact with the Agency digitally after this date. If you haven’t received a CD, find out what to do.
If you need help installing your renewed PKI site certificate, you can:
· contact your software developer
· call the eBusiness Service Centre on 1800 700 199 (8 am to 5 pm local time) and choose option 3.
NASH PKI certificates
For general practices using NASH PKI certificates, they may also be expiring. If your NASH PKI certificate is expiring, you must renew it online through HPOS. You will also need to install it to maintain access to digital health tools such as electronic prescribing and My Health Record.
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https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/budget-boost-for-regional-telecommunications-20220303-p5a194
Major NBN upgrade planned to fight off Musk’s Starlink
Tom McIlroy and Phillip Coorey
Updated Mar 4, 2022 – 8.53am, first published at 5.00am
A major upgrade of NBN services in country Australia will be part of a multibillion-dollar regional infrastructure package to be included in Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s pre-election budget.
The upgrade – designed to shore up Coalition support in the regions and help push back against private satellite providers including Elon Musk’s Starlink – is part of a deal secured last year in negotiations between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce over the government’s 2050 net zero emissions policy.
Set to be announced in the lead-up to the March 29 budget, the package will include upgrades to regional telecommunications towers and fixed-line National Broadband Network services.
The government is considering the recommendations of the landmark regional telecommunications review, which this month warned that supply side issues, including backbone fibre and spectrum access, remained as key barriers to competition and innovation in areas outside major capital cities.
It found “significant issues” related to maintenance and repair of telecommunications networks, including copper landlines, in regional, rural and remote areas of the country. Increased ongoing demand for data on mobile and fixed wireless networks in the bush was highlighted, part of a warning that user needs were not being consistently met, causing network congestion issues, including during COVID-19 disruption.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-telstra-optus-networks-impacted-by-severe-floods-576662
NBN Co, Telstra, Optus networks impacted by severe floods
By Richard Chirgwin on Mar 1, 2022 8:55AM
Power loss downs exchanges, towers.
Telecommunications network operators including NBN Co, Telstra and Optus are responding to outages in South East Queensland and Northern NSW caused by severe floods.
NBN Co said 51,500 premises in Queensland and 5500 premises in NSW are impacted as of February 28.
"Power outages remain the predominant cause of disruption to services," NBN Co said.
"Approximately 20 generators are working across most affected areas of the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Maryborough and the Greater Brisbane Area where it has been safe for us to install them.
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Enjoy!
David.
4 comments:
Has anyone else seen the program for the Australian Health Week?
You can get a copy here.
https://www.ahwdigital.com.au/events-austhealthweek/downloads/australian-healthcare-week-2022-expo-show-guide
It's packed with a whole load of little half hour chats from 200 speakers on 8 stages in two days of about 5.5 hours each. That means you can sit through at most 22 of the sessions. (no stopping for lunch) Quantity over quality?
This is an interesting one:
Thursday 17 March 13:40
ADHA Case Study: Taking A Whole of Customer Ecosystem Approach To Develop Seamless Patient Experiences Powered By Data and Digital Technology
The Australian Digital Health Agency’s customer-centric approach to designing digital interventions considers this holistic approach for truly enhancing customer experiences, experiences that can transform the healthcare system beyond the immediate needs of a pandemic.
● How has digital use changed since COVID-19 and what does this mean for patient experiences?
● What role does data play in designing better experiences for patients?
● Insights from a recent case study
Rosemary Hotten
General Manager Strategy, Insights & Experience,
Australian Digital Health Agency
Gee, I wonder what that is in English and how it might related to a summary health record owned and curated by the patient?
It will probably be the most rivetting, insightful, informative and illuminating session of the entire conference. Unless they introduce another session at the last minute,, like, My Health Record saving east coast Australia from hell and high water - everything lost except your vital health data!
Here's a thought. The $400 to $500 Million the ADHA receives could better be redirected to building at least 500 or more houses destroyed by the floods. Then the ADHA could legitimately claim to have delivered something really useful.
Yes - that's a really good suggestion.
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