POLAR GP update
There are a number of practices who have not sent back their new POLAR Agreements; these were posted to practices in late January. Practices which have not received this, please contact Barb Repcen on barb.repcen@emphn.org.au or 90460354. The re-installation is now underway; a number of practices will have booked appointments with Outcome Health to do the update with the remainder to follow over the next month.
For those who did not get a chance to attend the webinar on the new POLAR Browser Based Orientation this week, a recording is now available in confluence in the Training tile in POLAR.
My Health Record and Pathology Reports
Pathology and diagnostic Imaging software providers are getting ready to be able to start uploading to the My Health Record. Practices using Best Practice 1.8.8.10 or Medical Director 3.17.2 and using Australian Clinical Labs, Dorevitch, Melbourne Pathology and Victorian Cytology Service will find the request forms may now print with a tick box with the wording, do not send to My Health Record. Currently in Victoria, pathology and diagnostic imaging, reports are not being uploaded. An update will be shared with potential live dates once this information is available. Some states are already uploading and providers will have access to these reports through the My Health Record, hopefully reducing duplication of tests in some instances.
Practices need to start planning how this process is going to work in their practices including educating patients on your policies for the management of results.
Pathology and diagnostic imaging results will still be sent to practices via the usual process if your patients have a My Health Record. The pathology report will also be uploaded to their My Health Record and be available for the patient to view after seven days. This enables the practice to view the results and contact the patient regarding any results that require follow up. If you or your patient do not want a pathology report uploaded, you can specify on the request form.
For further information, please follow the link to the clinician’s fact sheet.
Webinars will be available in soon for GPs and practice staff.
Electronic Referrals to Northern Health & Plenty Valley Community Health
Northern Health and Plenty Valley Community Health are able to receive electronic referrals to all their Outpatient Specialist Clinics.
At no cost to the general practitioners or general practices, the Healthlink SmartForms solution can be used from Medical Director 3.17.1 and above and/or Best Practice Premier (LAVA).
Healthlink Smartforms e-referral solution is integrated within Medical Director and Best Practice and will streamline the completion and submission of electronic referrals. From software programs, GPs will be able to select a form, have it pre-populated automatically with data from the electronic patient record, have it validated and sent securely to the intended recipient, and receive an acknowledgement of receipt without the need to print and fax. A copy of the form will automatically be stored securely in the patient’s record.
The following links provide a demonstration of the product in:
Medical Director and Best Practice
General practices wanting to ensure they are part of this important and innovative opportunity should contact the Digital Health Team who can provide advice, training and support - digitalhealth@emphn.org.au.