This Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation focus report examines recent rates of MBS-subsidised spirometry and PBS-subsidised COPD medicines for people over 35 years. The findings from this report help identify areas for improvement into the diagnosis and treatment of COPD.

Access to effective, minimally invasive treatments where appropriate, is essential to providing better care for women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Understanding healthcare variation is an important step in improving patient outcomes and in supporting sustainability of the health system. This page explains why it is useful to measure healthcare variation, common underlying reasons for variation and how data can be used to improve care.

By creating evidence-based guidance and considering the real experiences of people and health professionals, we’re able to provide better care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ensuring appropriate use of colonoscopy, including performing repeat procedures when recommended, is essential to avoid unnecessary testing and ensure timely access for those who need it most.  

Sepsis is a time-critical emergency. Early detection and treatment are essential to preventing deaths and improving outcomes for people with sepsis and their families and carers. It is vital that sepsis continues to be addressed as a health system safety and quality priority through ongoing action.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service in Perth has improved care for Aboriginal women with gynaecological conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding by establishing a gynaecology clinic that ensures culturally safe care.

Read how staff at a regional hospital investigated and addressed variation in discharge planning and prescribing of secondary prevention medication for stroke. Key factors were using the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry for benchmarking, education about the need for antihypertensive medicine after discharge, and a template for discharge...

Read how an inner-city emergency department reduced the rate of incomplete treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Co-design with the Aboriginal Health Unit was key to success. To view the summarised case study, you can skip to At a glance.

Read how a hospital Quality and Safety committee investigated clinical variation in rates of severe perineal tears in childbirth. Benchmarking data with similar hospitals showed they had the highest rates in Australia. Introducing a range of risk-reduction strategies reduced rates of severe perineal tears substantially. The hospital continues to...