Webinar: Health Assessments - The Role of Nurses in General Practice

Introduction

• Host: Michaela, Practice Support Team, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN
• Guest Speaker: Michelle Horswood, Practice Manager and Nursing Consultant
• Webinar on the role of nurses in health assessments within general practice

Acknowledgments and Housekeeping

• Acknowledgment of traditional custodians of the land
• Webinar being recorded, available on Cespin's YouTube
• Evaluation survey post-webinar for feedback and certification
• Q&A function for questions
• Upcoming events: Cultural awareness training, registration on the PHN website

Objectives of the Webinar

1. Recognize opportunities for primary health care nurses to undertake health assessments
2. Understand importance of childhood development screening
3. Awareness of MBS funded health assessments and criteria
4. Understand associated Medicare billing and allowed combinations

Health Assessments

Definition

• Systematic process for nurses to collect, analyze, and synthesize patient information
• Importance in preventative healthcare to reduce heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer

Role of Primary Health Care Nurse

• Essential in team-based environments for efficient practice
• Cost-effective primary care and team collaboration

Childhood Development Screening

• Importance of basic development checks beyond immunization
• Use of "Learn the Signs, Act Early" surveillance tool
• Recommendation for child and family health nurse involvement

MBS Funded Health Assessments

Types and Criteria

1. Type 2 Diabetes Risk Evaluation

   • Age criteria: Non-Indigenous (40-49), Indigenous (50-54)
   • Requires Aus diabetic risk score >12
   • Every 3 years

2. 45 to 49 Year Health Assessment

   • For early lifestyle modification
   • Presence of an identified risk factor
   • Once during the age period

3. 75 and Older Health Assessment

   • Importance of depression, frailty, cognitive assessments
   • Recommendations for comprehensive assessments

4. Intellectual Disability Health Assessment

   • Immunization and consent considerations
   • Annual assessment

5. Refugee Health Assessment

   • Once post-arrival
   • Cultural and language considerations

6. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check

   • Age categories: 0-14, 15-54, 55+
   • Item 715 allows for follow-ups and allied health visits

7. Healthy Heart Check

   • For cardiovascular risk assessment
   • Linked to the Australian Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator

Medicare Billing

• Health assessments include nurse’s time
• Non-time-based items can be billed together
• Separate billing for ECG and GP management plans

Resources

• RACGP guide, Blue Book tool, AusRisk, and cardiovascular check calculator

Q&A Highlights

• Health assessments and billing combinations
• Strategies to engage patients for health assessments
• Use of templates in software like Medical Director or Best Practice

Conclusion

• Emphasis on the importance and impact of health assessments
• Encouragement to utilize provided resources and engage in further learning
• Thank you to Michelle, support team, and attendees for participation