EMPHN Ceasing Data Logging Of Vaccine Fridges On 30 June
EMPHN General Practice Engagement Team will be ceasing the data logging service on 30 June 2017. In line with best practice for Cold Chain management as set out in National Vaccine Storage Guidelines, Strive for 5 (2nd Ed.) practices are encouraged to purchase a data logger if the vaccine fridge does not have an integral logger. Information on data logger selection is available in Strive for 5.
By utilising accurate data logging, practices can reduce their legal and financial risk, avoid unnecessary reporting of cold chain breaches and maintain the potency of government supplied and private vaccines.
To assist practices meet their compliance with vaccine and cold chain requirements for accreditation and government requirements EMPHN General Practice Engagement Team will continue to provide vaccine and cold chain management education including data logger selection and data interpretation and practical advice at practice visits.
Any practices utilising a bar fridge for vaccine storage are NOT compliant with National Vaccine Storage Guidelines or DHHS Government Funded Vaccine Account requirements. EMPHN can provide assistance with the selection criteria to consider when purchasing a purpose built fridge.
Industry News
Crohn’s And Colitis Australia Release Final Report of IBD Audit
Both documents are products of the CCA Quality of Care Program which has been a collaboration between CCA and the key learned bodies involved in IBD healthcare in Australia and people living with IBD.
Interim Australian IBD Standards were released by CCA in 2015. Hospitals throughout Australia have been audited against these standards and the findings are described in the IBD Audit Final Report.
Incorporating learnings from the audit, the standards have been revised and released as the Australian IBD Standards 2016.
CCA and the multi organisational steering committee urge hospitals, clinicians, healthcare planners, funders and other IBD stakeholders to examine this evidence and implement improvement in the organisation and delivery of healthcare to people living with IBD.
Diabetes Australia Release New Emotional Health Resources
Diabetes Australia has developed the Diabetes and Emotional Health handbook and toolkit, which was developed as part of the National Diabetes Services Scheme Mental Health and Diabetes National Development Programme.
The handbook has been designed as an evidence-based, practical resource to enable health professionals to identify, address, and communicate about emotional problems during consultations with adults with diabetes.
A related toolkit contains resources to complement the handbook, including summary cards of several chapters, questionnaires for routine clinical use, and related ‘factsheets’ for people with diabetes.
The latter provide information about the psychological topics covered in the chapters of the handbook, tips about what people with diabetes can do when they experience this problem and where they can get further support.
Diabetes Australia has developed the Diabetes and Emotional Health handbook and toolkit, which was developed as part of the National Diabetes Services Scheme Mental Health and Diabetes National Development Programme.
