Publications - P

PIP QI Incentive guidance

The Australian Government’s Practice Incentives Program (PIP) aims to support general practice. The PIP Quality Improvement (QI) Incentive guidance outlines the components a general practice needs to meet to qualify for a PIP QI Incentive payment.

• General practice
• Primary health care

Probable epidemic Mycoplasma pneumoniae disease activity in metropolitan Sydney, 2015: combining surveillance data to cross-validate signal detection

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of encephalitis and pneumonia in children. Active surveillance identified a cluster of children with suspected encephalitis associated with M.pneumoniae in NSW during July, 2015. An investigation that cross validated encephalitis surveillance with ED pneumonia surveillance and senitenal reference laboratory data revealed probable epidemic M.pneumoniae disease activity in Sydney during 2015.

• Communicable diseases

Position statement on interferon-γ release assays for the detection of latent tuberculosis infection

Interferon-y release assays (IGRAs), such as the Quantiferon (QIFN) TB-Gold Plus assay (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and the T-SPOT.TB test (Oxford Immunotec Limited, Abingdon, United Kingdom), are marketed as a substitute for the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The relative merits of IGRAs and TST have been hotly debated over the last decade. The specificity of IGRAs has been optimised by using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens. However, IGRAs are functional in vitro T-cell-based assays that may lack reproducibility due to specimen collection, transport, processing and kit manufacturing issues.

Longitudinal studies comparing the ability of IGRAs and TST to predict the future development of active tuberculosis disease (TB) are the ultimate arbiters on the respective utility of these assays. Three meta-analyses addressing this comparison have now been published and clinical experience with IGRAs is accumulating. The systematic reviews show that IGRAs and TST have similar (but poor) ability to identify patients with LTBI at risk of developing active TB disease. The improved specificity of IGRAs however may reduce the number of patients requiring preventative therapy.

Based on these meta-analyses, The National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee (NTAC) now recommends either TST or an IGRA for the investigation of LTBI in most circumstances. Both tests may be used in patients where the risk of progression to active TB disease is high and the disease sequelae potentially severe (eg. LTBI testing in immunocompromised patients or those commencing anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) therapy). Neither test should be used in the investigation of active TB disease (though TST and/or IGRA may be used as supplementary tests in paediatric cases). The choice of test for serial testing in healthcare workers (HCWs) remains controversial. A preference remains for TST in this circumstance because IGRAs have been bedevilled by higher rates of reversions and conversions when used for serial testing. These recommendations supersede all previous NTAC IGRA statements.

• Communicable diseases

Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) annual report 2015: Prospective hospital-based surveillance for serious paediatric conditions

This is the second of planned annual reports to Communicable Diseases Intelligence for Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS), a hospital-based active surveillance system for select serious paediatric conditions of public health importance. PAEDS has a focus on monitoring vaccine preventable diseases and adverse events following immunisation and in 2015 included surveillance for: acute flaccid paralysis; encephalitis; influenza; intussusception; pertussis; and varicella and zoster.

• Communicable diseases

Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission: are we following guidelines?

This article describes the results of an audit investigating the hepatitis B vaccination completion outcomes and serological testing of infants in the Northern Territory who were born to mothers with hepatitis B infection. The results demonstrate that although adherence to the vaccination schedule in this group of infants was good, mechanisms for ensuring that infants receive serology testing need to be strengthened.

• Communicable diseases

Pathology (Approved Collection Centres) Roundtable on Compliance – Boston Consulting Group Report of Roundtable held on 27 April 2016

• Pathology

Partners in Recovery annual report 2014-15

The second report from the Partners in Recovery (PIR) evaluation and monitoring project broadly focussed on early evidence of outcomes for clients as a result of PIR.

• Mental health

Partners in Recovery evaluation and monitoring project: final annual report 2013-14

The first report from the Partners in Recovery (PIR) evaluation and monitoring project broadly focussed on programme establishment by the 48 PIR organisations during the first year of PIR.

• Mental health

Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System Operator: Annual Report 2012-2013

The Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) System Operator (Secretary of the Department of Health) has prepared an annual report for 2012-13 period in accordance with section 107 of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Act 2012. The report includes information on the operation and security of the PCEHR system, the volume of registration and use of the system, activities undertaken by the System Operator and the operation of the advisory committees - the Jurisdictional Advisory Committee and the Independent Advisory Council.

• Annual reports
• e-Health

Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System Operator: Annual Report 2012-2013

The Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) System Operator (Secretary of the Department of Health) has prepared an annual report for 2012-13 period in accordance with section 107 of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Act 2012. The report includes information on the operation and security of the PCEHR system, the volume of registration and use of the system, activities undertaken by the System Operator and the operation of the advisory committees - the Jurisdictional Advisory Committee and the Independent Advisory Council.

• Annual reports
• e-Health

Practitioners' guide to recovery principles that support recovery-oriented mental health practice

Poster for practitioners.

• Mental health

Practitioner guide to recovery principles that support recovery-oriented mental health practice: journey of hope and new beginnings

This guide provides some essential information and prompts for your day-to-day clinical work, whether you are working in a community or inpatient setting, with children, adults or older people.

• Mental health

People living with psychotic illness 2010

Report on the second Australian national survey of psychotic illness.

• Mental health

Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) Strategy: Phase three: 2010-2014

This document provides information for the primary health care research community and others about the PHCRED Strategy.

• Primary health care
• Research and development

Private Sector Outreach Services - Review of Private Sector Outreach Services Legislation

This page provides information about the Review of Private Sector Outreach Services Legislation.

• Private Health Insurance

Prevention of type 2 diabetes program resources

Documents and application forms for the Prevention of type 2 diabetes program

• Diabetes
• Chronic disease
• Health promotion

Private health insurance - Private Patients' Hospital Charter audio

The Private Patients' Hospital Charter is a guide to what it means to be a private patient in a public hospital, a private hospital or day hospital facility.

• Private Health Insurance

Panic disorder and agoraphobia: Australian treatment guide for consumers and carers

This guide is intended to help you find the right care and treatment for panic disorder and agoraphobia.

• Mental health

Public discussion paper - Adoption of the Globally Harmonised System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals in Respect to Domestic and Consumer Chemicals Including Pesticides

The Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Health is seeking public comment on a Discussion Paper which outlines possible options for the adoption of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) within the system of public health regulation of domestic and consumer chemicals, including pesticides.

• Drugs

Poliomyelitis Outbreak Response Plan for Australia

This document was compiled by the Office of Health Protection in the Department of Health.

• Communicable diseases
• Diseases and conditions

Patterns of use and harms associated with specific populations of methamphetamine users in Australia - exploratory research

This research identified patterns of use and harms associated with methamphetamine use among specific groups in Australia.

• Drugs and substance abuse

Public Health Considerations for Australian Medical Assistance Teams Going to the Asia-Pacific Area

This document provides recommendations for public health practitioners who are traveling to disaster-affected areas in the Asia-Pacific area as a member of an Australian government health team.

Policy on antiviral prophylaxis and the implications for pathology and research staff

This position statement arises from a discussion session on antiviral use for laboratory staff working with H5/Pandemic Influenza A virus at the October 2006 face-to-face meeting of the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN).

• Communicable diseases

Pathways of recovery: report of the national consultation on preventing further episodes of mental illness

This report describes the national consultation undertaken in 2004 on the role of relapse prevention in the recovery process for people who have been seriously affected by mental illness.

• Mental health

Pathways of recovery: report of the national consultation on preventing further episodes of mental illness

This report describes the national consultation undertaken in 2004 on the role of relapse prevention in the recovery process for people who have been seriously affected by mental illness.

• Mental health

Pre-departure Communicable Diseases Health Screening Protocols for Refugees Arriving from Africa

This diagram depicts the steps that should be taken for screening refugees arriving from Africa and is current as of February 2006.

Pathways of recovery: preventing further episodes of mental illness (monograph)

This paper considers the role of relapse prevention within the recovery process for people who have been seriously affected by mental illness.

• Mental health

Pathways of recovery: 4As framework for preventing further episodes of mental illness

This document presents a framework to inform policy, programs and practice for continuing care to prevent further episodes of mental illness for people who have been seriously affected by mental illness. The basic elements of the framework are the 4As: awareness, anticipation, alternatives and access.

• Mental health

Panic disorder and agoraphobia: Australian treatment guide for consumers and carers, 2005

This guide is intended to help you find the right care and treatment for panic disorder and agoraphobia.

• Mental health

Providing culturally appropriate palliative care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: Resource Kit

The resource kit providing strategies and training material to support staff in mainstream health services to provide culturally appropriate palliative care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
• Research and development
• Palliative care

Pharmacy and Government Arrangements

The new five year Community Pharmacy Agreement between the Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia commenced on 1 July 2000.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

The Australian Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides reliable, timely and affordable access to a wide range of medicines for all Australians.

• Pharmaceutical benefits
• Pharmacy
• Prescribed drugs

Pharmacy and Government Arrangements

The new five year Community Pharmacy Agreement between the Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia commenced on 1 July 2000.

PHERP Review Reports

This page provides links to documents relevant to PHERP reviews and other relevant review reports.

• Research and development

Pilot Surveillance Program for Antimicrobial Resistance in bacteria of animal origin

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RESCINDED

Performance Measures for Australian Laboratories Reporting Cervical Cytology (Third Edition 2015)

This is a publication of the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) which is managed by the Australian Government Department of Health

• Pathology

Prevention of Substance Use, Risk and Harm in Australia - a review of the evidence, The

This page contains links to the publication 'The Prevention of Substance Use, Risk and Harm in Australia - a review of the evidence'.

• Drugs
• Illegal drugs

Pathology Services Table (PST)

The Pathology Services Table (PST) lists the pathology tests for which Medicare benefits are available, their Schedule fees and conditions for use.

Point of Care Testing in General Practice Trial (PoCT)

For the purposes of the General Practice trial, PoCT was defined as pathology testing performed by or on behalf of a medical practitioner at the time of consultation, allowing the results to be used to make immediate, informed decisions about patient care.

Private health insurance - private patients' hospital charter

The Private Patients' Hospital Charter is a guide to what it means to be a private patient in a public hospital, a private hospital or day hospital facility.

• Private Health Insurance