A patient is offered cataract surgery when they have a lens opacity that limits their vision-related activities and causes clinically significant visual impairment involving reduced best corrected visual acuity, disabling glare or contrast sensitivity.
A patient with visual problems and suspected cataract has an initial assessment in primary care of their visual impairment, vision-related activity limitations, comorbidities and willingness to have surgery. When referral is appropriate based on these criteria, the patient is referred for consideration for cataract surgery, and this information is included in the referral form.
Healthcare variation – why does it happen and what can we do about it? Our online Better Care Everywhere: Healthcare variation in practice program series will answer these questions and more in the first program of its kind dedicated to reducing unwarranted variation in clinical care across Australia.
This series is part of the Commission's wider Better Care Everywhere initiative which brings together the wide range of guidance, tools and resources developed by the Commission to provide a comprehensive approach to appropriate and sustainable health care.
Antimicrobial stewardship in aged care is important to improve the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials and decrease the risk of antimicrobial resistance for older people.
The Commission is seeking real-world case studies from health service organisations to share experiences of implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard.
The Commission is working in partnership with The George Institute for Global Health and Sepsis Australia to extend the National Sepsis Program. This program aims to improve the awareness, recognition and support for people at risk of or diagnosed with sepsis in Australia.
Informed consent is an important part of health care and works best when there is good communication between patients and their healthcare professional. Achieving informed consent is a goal health professionals and patients must approach together.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care convened the Clinical Quality Registries (CQR) Advisory Group, comprising members with relevant expertise and experience in the CQR sector.
Effective management of chronic conditions requires multidisciplinary, coordinated care. Whilst some patients receive this type of care, the current Australian health system does not provide the ideal support for integrated team care. Half of the Australian population has at least one chronic condition, with large variation in the severity and complexity of conditions and the intensity of care patients require.
The Atlas series examines variation in use of some commonly prescribed medicines. Medicines are effective when used appropriately for the right duration. However, substantial variation in use can suggest that some individuals and the community are being exposed to avoidable harms and unnecessary costs, while others may be missing out on an effective treatment.
The range of tests, technologies and treatments that can be used to investigate and manage health problems is growing. Whilst this can bring great benefit, there is an associated risk of diagnosing and treating people for conditions that would never have caused them harm (over-diagnosis).
Thank you for your support in helping to promote this important initiative.
The Emergency Department Clinicians’ Guide to My Health Record was developed with the assistance of many individuals and agencies.
My Health Record resources are also available from the following organisations:
The Emergency Department Clinicians' guide to My Health Record in EDs and its supporting resources have been developed to support hospital and ED clinicians to use the My Health Record to inform their clinical decision making.
The My Health Record system collects documents from a range of healthcare providers. Some of this information may not be the most up-to-date patient data at the time of access.
Each year, the Commission’s staff participate in the Australian Public Service (APS) Employee Census - an opinion survey conducted between May and June and invites all APS employees across Australia to participate.
Contact your clinical information system support team or hospital trainer for information on how to access patients records, navigate the My Health Record system, or troubleshooting.
A My Health Record is an electronic collection of patient health information that helps to inform and improve clinical decision making. Commonly asked questions are answered below.
Vulnerable population groups often access the healthcare system through the ED.