Bulletin - December, 2021
...It's begin to look a lot like...COVID (sigh)!
Sadly, it looks like it'll be another COVID Christmas for us all - we were lucky to have some celebrations in the mean time before NSW took their rivalry with Victoria a little too far, but it's been wonderful to catch up both socially and informally both at the CSMP Christmas Party and at our last practice function for 2021.
This has been a difficult year for us all, and in a variety of different ways. With rising anxiety in the community and the general level of exhaustion we've collectively experienced, a simple 'thank you' hardly seems sufficient; you've all been amazing under pressure, and while gratitude from the general community seems to be in short supply right now, please know that I am so thankful for your friendship, professionalism, and general good humour in the most difficult of circumstances.
(And as much as I'd love to do a 'year in review' post, you all lived through 2021, and I doubt there's much you'd want to relive about it!)
...Clinics for Kids (and some adults)
ATAGI's approval process has now opened the door for children aged 5-11 to receive COVID vaccinations. The main points are:
- Children between 5-11 years of age will receive a paediatric dose (vial is ORANGE)
- Clinics will be run ONE per week, with doses spaced EIGHT (8) weeks apart. The number of clinics will increase will likely increase once higher volumes on vaccine become available for order.
- The doses are expected to arrive at CSMP from 9th January.
Our paeds clinics will start from 11th January. At the same time, our booster clinics will begin on 14th January, running on Fridays. This clinics will also accommodate patients booking in for doses 1 and 2 (having just become eligible).
The first version of the roster has been input into BP, with the longer term one available in Teams by clicking on the button below:
...eReferrals and Environmental Impact
With the changes to eReferrals and eMAILED referrals, we've managed to significantly reduce both our paper wastage, as well as our carbon footprint.
However...
- I-MED referrals will continue to print the paper referral, despite the patient receiving the electronic copy (via SMS) automatically. The paper copies can be discarded (shredded).
- Pathology referrals require the word 'telehealth' to be written ANYWHERE on the referral (DHM's system filters for the term to generate eReferrals for patients). The hard copy will STILL print, but again can be discarded if not being collected in person.
(Editors' Note: given the frequent issues we have had with both CMI in Marrickville and Laverty Pathology broadly in terms of receiving results and reports, it is recommended that patients are disuaded from using these services if/when possible.)
...eScripts (and where to send them)
To help allow patients without smartphones access scripts (particularly as we move into a period where access to physical care may be limited by COVID exposure and Christmas holidays), we have updated the online referral and script portal with the option to eScript to PHARMACY, rather than eScript to EMAIL (which has had issues of relability for patients using hotmail or live.com addresses for eScripts outside of consult).
While this is not a 'built for purpose' solution (as pharmacies should be using the 'LiveScripts' feature for patients on regular medications), sending eScripts directly to the pharmacy has cut down on requests to reissue scripts, and has allowed us to better track and secure S8 medications between GPs and patient pharmacies.
...Microsoft Teams > WhatsApp
After a few months of preparation, CSMP is now ready to rollout Teams for all staff:
- Improved security of communications, as well as reliability, and customisable notifications to ensure that staff aren't overwhelmed by discussions in which they have no interest.
- More robust collaborative space: Teams uses a 'channel' system, allowing for specific topics of discussion to be housed in one area, without having to jump back and forth across threads and topics for relevant information. In addition to this, a Wiki or Knowledge Base feature, that is highly versatile in storing documents, policies or procedures in an environment that can be changed and updated collaboratively and easily when required, as well as important web pages (such as the CSMP Staff Portal, but other more clinical useful ones, too).
- Chat features almost identical to WhatsApp, allowing for easy communications with other users - again, with customisable notifications, as well as video conferencing and calendars.
- Available in both a Desktop application and Mobile: ultimately allowing users to 'switch off' when they don't want to be disturbed outside of hours, and an activity feed if they want or need to catch up later.
Your user name for Teams is your CSMP windows user name (ie. your first name and last initial, eg. John Smith = JohnS) with the @csmp.com.au domain handle. Your passwords have been sent to you in Best Practice.
It's recommended that you log in at least ONCE before taking leave. Training sessions will also be organised on a number of lunch times throughout January and early February so we are able to get the most out of the platform, and customise your accounts best for your needs!
Coming Events...
- Secret Santa: if you participated this year, please collect your gift from under the tree ASAP!
- Closures: we'll be closed on Christmas Eve (from 2pm), Christmas Day, 27th-28th Dec, New Year's Eve (from 2pm), New Years' Day and 3rd January. I'll be on leave from 27th to 31st Dec.
- Accreditation: has been moved to February, 2022!
