Quality Use of Medicines Program - NPS

Aims

In partnership with the National Prescribing Service the Sutherland Division's Quality Use of Medicines program aims to ensure that all local GPs have access to the information and support they need to make good prescribing decisions.

• Ensure major stakeholders input into the program
• Facilitate quality use of medicines on the basis of best evidence available, through activities such as, educational visits, CME activities, case studies and clinical audits
• Promote NPS/QUM program within the Sutherland Shire
• Provide data collected to NPS

QUM Activities Educational visits

Practice visits within practices in the Sutherland Shire bounday are conducted to discuss evidence based therapy on a particular topic. The NPS provides detailing aids, key messages and objectives for the visit and background reading.

The current educational visiting topics are: Analgesics in Persistent Pain and Osteoporosis. If you would like to have a practice visit on either topic please email Liesl at lmccoy@shiregps.org.au or call her at the Division on 9525 4011

GP Education CME

Coordination and facilitation of meetings focusing on:

• Case history discussion
• Peer review to discuss prescribing feedback
• Medication review workshops

If you would like to have a lunch time case study facilitated at your practice please email Liesl at lmccoy@shiregps.org.au or call her at the Division on 9525 4011

Clinical audit activity

As a component of the QUM program the National Prescribing Service offers clinical audits. If you would like a copy of the latest audit please contact the NPS on 8217 8700

Quality Prescribing Initiative (QPI) and Practice Incentive Payments

This targeted incentive is intended to assist practices in keeping up to date with information on the quality use of medicines. It rewards participation in a range of activities recognised or provided by the National Prescribing Service (NPS). Each activity is undertaken on an individual GP level, and the NPS will provide feedback to the individual GPs. However payment will be made to the practice if the practice meets a minimum participation level, set at 3 activities per full time equivalent (FTE) GP. One of these activities must be a clinical audit, while the other two can be any recognised activities including educational visits, and NPS case studies.

For more information about PIP or to register your practice in the program, call the PIP Enquiry Line on 1800 222 032 (free call) or visit their website at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/providers/incentives_allowances/pip.htm