Increasing use of 75+ yr old Health Assessments(HA) in your practice

What is the aim of this QI activity?

• identify 10 eligible patients and increase completion of 75+ yr old Health Assessments.

• identify potentially preventable health conditions and risk factors.

• connect patients with appropriate services and supports.

What will I need to do?

• form a quality improvement team - use this Team roles & responsibilities worksheet.

• review what you will need to complete the HA see: Note AN.0.39 | Medicare Benefits Schedule.

• read the PDSA example supplied in this activity. (See below, Example of completed QI activity tab).

How will I complete this activity?

• review your current 75+ yr old Health Assessment process.

• consider:

  • is there a documented process for recalls?

  • is there a process for annual reassessment?

  • do staff understand assessment and billing requirements?

• use Primary Sense to identify eligible patients. If required verify patient eligibility through PRODA.

• recall patients using SMS, phone, letter or email.

• complete 75+ yr old health assessments with the nurse and GP.

• record findings, care plans and advance care planning discussions.

Where do I document my results?

• Quality Improvement Register.

• Primary Sense reports.

• MBS billing reports.

• manual recording of baseline and final results.

Who can I contact for support?

For support with this activity please contact the General Practice Quality Improvement team on 38647540 or email [email protected].

1. Use Primary Sense to identify patients aged 75 years and over who may be eligible for a Health Assessment.

In Primary Sense:

• select Health Assessments.

• locate the 75+ yr old Health Assessment Report.

• generate a list of eligible patients.

Note: Primary Sense reports rely on information recorded within your clinical software. Patient eligibility should always be confirmed through PRODA prior to booking appointments, as patients may have already received a Health Assessment within the previous 12 months with another GP/practice.

Primary Sense Instructions.

2. Invite identified patients for a health assessment

Determine the most suitable recall method e.g. SMS, phone call or Email. Consider sending follow-up reminders to patients who do not respond initially.

3. Complete 75+ yr old Health Assessments

Use your clinical software Health Assessment template to conduct and document assessments.

• MedicalDirector - Health Assessment

• Best Practice -Health assessment tool

What you will need to complete the HA see: Note AN.0.39 | Medicare Benefits Schedule.

Bill MBS item number after HA completed.

• using a basic tally sheet or by using the Quality improvement Register

• Primary Sense 75+ yr old Health Assessment reports.

• MBS billing reports.

Tracking Results Using MBS Reports

Best Practice Users

1.     select Management > Reports.

2.     select Payments - By Account Type (group by item) including related services.

3.     select your reporting dates, provider and location.

4.     enter the Health Assessment item numbers relevant to your practice.

5.     select View Report.

MedicalDirector Users

1.     open Pracsoft.

2.     select Reports > All Reports.

3.     select Fees.

4.     choose Practice Fees by Item Number.

5.     enter your reporting date range.

6.     enter the relevant Health Assessment item numbers.

7.     select Print to display the report.

How did you go?

As a team, reflect on how the activity went.

• what were the challenges/barriers?

• what worked well?

• are there any small changes that you could implement to continue improving 75+ yr old Health Assessments?

Celebrate your achievements as a team!

Share your results with your practice and Brisbane South PHN.

Next Steps

• continue identifying eligible patients through Primary Sense.

• embed 75+ yr old Health Assessments into routine practice workflows.

• monitor MBS activity and patient outcomes.

75+ yr old HA PDSA example