QAAMS Newsletter March 2021

newsletter March 2021

Certificates of Excellence 2020 The Certificates of Excellence were circulated in February 2021, to all the services listed below, in recognition of the sustained high standard of performance in Quality Testing in the QAAMS Program. This represents a 21% increase in the number of awards given compared to 2019. We thank you all for your continued support and excellence in the Quality Testing you conduct.

Danny, Lyn, Sally and Tony (L to R) from Wuchopperen Health Service in Cairns QLD with their certificate.

QLD

NSW

NT

ATSICHS Brisbane 4223 Carbal Toowoomba 10240 Carbal Warwick 10414 CWAATSICH Roma 4158 Goondir St George 4056, 11854 Kalwun Oxenford 4185 Wuchopperen 4010

Awabakal Newcastle 10854 Awabakal Raymond Terrace 11647 Bulgarr Ngaru 4033 Daarimba Maara 4220 Dharah Gibinj 4053 Durri 4032, 4078, 4190 Galambila 10464 Tharawal 4080 Katungul Batemans Bay 11424 Katungul Narooma 4084 Orange 10384 Riverina 4066 Tobwabba 11267 Wellington 10460

Adelaide River 10766 Amoonguna 4180 CAAC Larapinta 10937 Utju 4240 Wurli Wurlinjang 4002

SA Port Lincoln 4017, 4072, 4117 Nunkuwarrin Yunti 4060

VIC Mildura 4028

WA Derbal Yerrigan 4042, 11368 Great Southern 4025 Mawarnkarra 4167 Moorditj Koort 10241 South West 4164, 10841

Indigenous Eye Health “SPOTLIGHT on Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)” Source: AIHW Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 4th Annual Report, Thursday 5th November 2020.

A complication of diabetes is eye disease known as diabetic retinopathy (small blood vessels inside the retina are damaged).

The Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision, 2015 highlighted the following data: > 37% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have diabetes and 13% have already lost vision > 98% of blindness from diabetes is preventable with early detection and timely treatment > Only 20% have had an eye exam in the last year.

According to the 2016 National Eye Survey, DR is the third most common cause of vision loss amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For the diagnosis of diabetes or monitoring of diabetic control, is a blood test called HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin), where circulating sugar (glucose) in the blood attaches to the protein (Haemoglobin) of red blood cells. Levels of HbA1c provide an indication of the levels of sugar (glucose) over the past 6-8 weeks (which is the lifespan of normal red blood cells).

Keeping HbA1c levels to within normal limits or reducing high levels, will lead to a decrease in the risk of getting microvascular disease such as DR and other conditions.

Regular measurement and control of HbA1c (and hence blood sugar) levels, is recommended.

The QAAMS Program promotes the quality measurement and training for HbA1c testing.

QAAMS welcomes two new members to the team, Katie and Evelyn, and look forward to their invaluable contributions to the program.

Katie Cundale Prior to starting at Flinders, I worked in WA at the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. The ride here hasn’t been straight exactly, with a few pit stops in countries like Malawi and China, but I’m very excited to be making a new home in Adelaide and working with the incredible team at QAAMS. After finishing my Masters of Public Health in London, I’ve worked mostly in global health research focusing on access to health care in rural and remote locations. I look forward to working with everyone in the program and learning more about communities around Australia.

Evelyn Bennett Evelyn joined the Centre as an Administrative Assistant in February 2021 and provides administrative support for the QAAMS and TTANGO programs.

Prior to this, Evelyn worked in the higher education sector for 5 years specialising in student services and executive level support. She has studied a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of South Australia, receiving a Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation twice and a University Merit Award.

2021 QAAMS Workshop Update The 2021 QAAMS Workshop scheduled for May 5-6 in Darwin has been cancelled. The decision, taken in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders of the program, is in the best interest of the health, safety and wellbeing of all concerned.

We look forward with earnest to meeting up with you at our next Workshop.

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Retirement of Pauline Rudevics From the 23rd March, Pauline begins her well-deserved retirement from professional life. Pauline joined the QAAMS team in 2005 as Administrative Assistant working alongside Professor Mark Shephard, and since has had a pivotal role managing the last 13 annual QAAMS Workshops – as you can imagine to ensure all the travel and accommodation needs of invited speakers and participants are met and coordinated, venue management bookings and payments are made, co-ordination of the support for the activities on the days of the Workshop run smoothly – Pauline has done this single-handedly and with great success.

All this planning she starts up again for the next Workshop immediately on the Monday of the following week. Pauline’s dedication to excellence is second to none and will be sadly missed. Pauline has also contributed to the efficient running of the Centre’s administration office and her pleasant and welcoming voice will be well known to all.

Pauline has made many lasting friendships with the Workshop participants, who will also miss her enthusiasm and friendliness, as we in the Centre will.

A big thank you from all your colleagues and friends past and present from QAAMS and the International Centre for Point of Care Testing. Pauline, we wish you good health, long lasting happiness, and a hearty retirement.

World Kidney Day (11 March) This year’s theme is: ‘Living Well with Kidney Disease’. This theme focuses on the importance of patient empowerment and effective symptom management.

Urine ACR testing for kidney disease diagnosis and management is a large part of the QAAMS Program. Above are some quick facts on Urine ACR testing within the QAAMS Program.

Narelle Brown and Pauline (L to R) at the 2014 QAAMS Workshop in Darwin.

For more information on kidney disease please visit World Kidney Day and Kidney Health Australia Facebook pages.

Quality Assurance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Services Newsletter March 2021 | 3

Are you interested in a Leadership role in QAAMS? There are several state Deputy Leaders positions available (WA, NT and Torres Strait). The responsibilities are not onerous but mainly as a support to the state Leader. If you would like to have a chat about these opportunities, you can call National Leader Christopher O'Brien (0487 779 193) or the QAAMS Program (08 8201 7555). We thank you for your consideration.

Why is quality management for Point-of-Care Testing important?

Point of Care Testing (POCT) allows us to perform a client test, obtain a rapid result and provide immediate treatment (if necessary). Research has shown that POCT can lead to improved health outcomes for individuals and whole communities.

We also know that unless a system supporting this process is safe, reliable and allows for continued performance of a high standard, we cannot be certain that the device will provide us with results that are accurate and appropriate for client care.

According to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS), developed by the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality in Health Care, client safety is embedded into quality systems that work together to ensure health outcomes benefit client care.

What does this mean for us in QAAMS? We need to run monthly Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) testing on the device to ensure that it is functioning as it should be, and our results are appropriate for patient care. Monthly quality testing is also an essential part of being able to claim the Medicare rebates exclusive to QAAMS. QCis important because it is our immediate internal assessment of how well our device is functioning.

QAis equally important, as it not only allows us to assess how well our device is functioning, but monitor its performance over time.

If our QC and QA results fall into the set target ranges each month, our device is meeting quality expectations and we can continue to test our clients with confidence.

QAAMS quality testing is more than just an indicator of device performance. It is a way of monitoring performance across the entire program; from the patient, through to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on how to do the test, to sample integrity, to ensuring operators are trained and supported, to the test itself and the result obtained and finally any action(s) taken.

We perform regular quality testing so we can ensure that our clients and their communities are receiving the best care possible.

For more information on quality management, or to enter your quality management results online, visit www.qaams.org.au. Alternatively, call the QAAMS hotline on (08) 8201 7555.

Quality Assurance for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Medical Services

qaams@flinders.edu.au (08) 8201 7555 (08) 8201 7666