SECTION ONE
National Vaccine Storage Guidelines (Australian Government links)
Strive for 5 (link to 1Meg pdf with pictures)
Standards
RACGP Entry Standards 3rd Edition 5.3.2 and 5.3.3
7 Standards for childhood vaccination (Source: The Australian Immunisation Handbook 8th Ed.)
Accreditation
Accreditation of general practice in Australia
In 1991 the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP), in conjunction with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Commonwealth Government, began developing a set of national Standards for general practice to address the issue of continuous quality improvement. Accreditation in general practice was introduced in Australia in 1997-1998. Although accessing accurate figures is difficult, approximately 80% of general practices are fully accredited in Australia, with a further 5-10% registered for the accreditation process. The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) is linked to accredited practices. For further information about the PIP please go to: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/providers/incentives_allowances/pip.htm
There are two accreditation agencies in Australia –
Australian General Practice Australia Limited (AGPAL) was launched in 1998; and GPA Accreditation plus (GPA).
Both agencies accredit general practices to the RACGP Standards for General Practices (3rd Edition).
Not all immunisation incentives payable to GPs and practices are linked to accreditation – GPs can apply via the General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) Scheme to access practice outcomes payments, however service incentives payments are accessible to all providers regardless of accreditation. For further information about the GPII please go to: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/providers/incentives_allowances/gpii_scheme.htm
There are, however, linkages to accreditation for practices that are immunisation related.
Linkages to RACGP Standards for General Practice – Immunisation
In addition to access by GPs and practices for immunisation outcomes incentives (payment to practices and GPs for reaching targets of Immunisation rates above 90%), practices that participate in an accredited quality improvement cycle must comply with a number of Immunisation related criterion to meet the Royal Australian College of General Practice Entry Standards.
The (RACGP) sets the standards for general practice. For a full review of the RACGP’s Standards for General Practices (3rd Edition) can be found via the following link: http://www.racgp.org.au/standards
Standard 5.3: Equipment for Comprehensive Care
Medical equipment and resources are appropriate and adequate to ensure comprehensive primary care and resuscitation.
There is one standard, and two criteria that are assessed by surveyors for either AGPAL or GPA that relate directly to immunisation.
These are:
|
Criterion 5.3.2
Vaccine potency |
The practice has appropriate vaccine storage which maintains vaccines at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C. The temperature is continuously monitored and is checked and recorded daily. |
|
Criterion 5.3.3
Perishable Materials |
Perishable materials held in our practice (medicines, vaccines, and other health care products) are not kept or used beyond their expiry dates. |
General practice will often look for support in meeting these criteria to the Division. Many Divisions support their practices by offering tools to assist in monitoring cold chain and thus complying with Criterion 5.3.2 and 5.3.3.
For further information, please see both AGPAL and GPA websites, and Section 1 of this Kit (Section 1 Vaccine Management – Standards).
Source: RACGP Standards for general practices 3rd edition
