Integrated Analysis of Quality Use of Pathology Program (QUPP) Final Reports 1
A Summary Report for the 1
Australian Department of Health and Ageing 1
Medical Benefits Division 1
Canberra 1
22 June 2012 1
Cognitus Pty Ltd 1
Table of Contents 2
Executive Summary 3
General Findings from the Analysis 4
Consistent Themes Identified from the Analysis 5
Conclusion 5
Abbreviations 7
Introduction 8
Background 8
Promoting Evidence-Based Practice 11
Evaluation of the Impact on Pathology Practice of the Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests (2001) 13
Description 13
Grant Recipient 13
Aims 13
Objectives 14
Findings 14
Recommendations 15
Key Project Learnings 16
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 16
Areas for Future Consideration 16
Revision of Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests (2004) 16
Description 16
Grant Recipient 16
Aim 16
Findings 17
Recommendations 17
Key Project Learning 17
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 17
RCPA Manual Transformation Project (2010) 18
Description 18
Grant Recipient 18
Aims and Objectives 18
Outcomes 18
Finding 18
Recommendation 18
Key Project Learning 19
Areas for Future Consideration 19
An Historical Analysis of Pathology Ordering by General Practitioners between April 1998 and March 2001 from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) Program (2002) 19
Description 19
Grant Recipient 19
Aims and Objectives 19
Findings 20
Key Project Learnings 20
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 21
Evidence-Practice Gap in GP Pathology Test Ordering: A Comparison of BEACH Pathology Data and Recommended Testing (2009) 21
Description 21
Grant Recipient 21
Aims and Objectives 21
Findings 22
Recommendations 22
Key Project Learnings 23
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 24
Areas for Future Consideration 24
A Project to Examine the Utilisation of Pathology Tests in the Investigation of Tiredness in General Practice (2002) 24
Description 24
Grant Recipient 24
Aim 24
Objectives 24
Findings 25
Recommendations 25
Key Project Learnings 26
Areas for Future Consideration 26
Analysis of Current Practices in Relation to the Teaching of Pathology (Laboratory Medicine) (2003) 26
Description 26
Grant Recipient 26
Aims and Objectives 26
Findings 26
Recommendations 27
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 28
Areas for Future Consideration 28
Analysis of Current Laboratory Medicine (Pathology) Teaching Practice in Prevocational and General Practitioner Vocational Training (2003) 28
Description 28
Grant Recipient 28
Aims and Objectives 28
Findings 28
Recommendations 30
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 31
Areas for Future Consideration 32
A Mechanism for the Development, Implementation and Evaluation of Evidence-Based, Best-Practice Clinical Guidelines to Facilitate Quality Use of Pathology Tests (2003) 32
Description 32
Grant Recipient 32
Aim 32
Findings 32
Recommendations 33
Areas for Future Consideration 33
Academic Detailing Supporting Better Outcomes from Diagnostic Technologies (2004) 33
Description 33
Grant Recipient 34
Aims and Objectives 34
Findings 34
Recommendations 35
Key Project Learnings 36
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 36
Common Sense Pathology (2006) 36
Description 36
Grant Recipient 36
Aim 36
Outcomes 36
Findings 37
Recommendation 37
Key Project Learnings 37
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 37
Common Sense Pathology Publication Series (2011) 37
Description 37
Grant Recipient 38
Aims and Objectives 38
Outcomes 38
Findings 38
Improved Pathology Reporting, Education and Practice (IPREP) for Colorectal Cancer (2009) 38
Description 38
Grant Recipient 38
Aims and Objectives 38
Outcomes 39
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 39
Structured Pathology Reporting Standards for Cancer (2009) 39
Description 39
Grant Recipient 39
Aim 40
Outcomes 40
Key Project Learnings 40
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 40
Promoting and Expanding Structured Pathology Reporting of Cancer (Stage 2) (Current) 40
Description 40
Grant Recipient 40
Aims and Objectives 40
Outcomes 41
Areas for Future Consideration 41
Evidence-Based, Best-Practice Prevention of Blood Borne Virus Transmission in Health Care Settings Program (PBBV) (2009) 41
Description 41
Grant Recipient 41
Aims and Objectives 41
Outcomes 42
Recommendations 42
Key Project Learning 42
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 42
Risk Minimisation 43
RCPA – Quality Assurance Programs Key Indicator Project (2004) 43
Description 43
Grant Recipient 44
Aims and Objectives 44
Outcomes 44
Findings 46
Recommendations 46
Key Project Learnings 47
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 47
Pilot Laboratory Assessment and Peer Review Mechanism for Pathology Key Performance Indicators (2007) 47
Description 47
Grant Recipient 48
Aims and Objectives 48
Outcome 48
Findings 48
Recommendations 49
Key Project Learning 49
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 50
Performance Monitoring of External Quality Assurance (Current) 50
Description 50
Grant Recipient 50
Aim 50
Objectives 50
Outcomes 50
NATA File Audit – Risk Analysis of Assessment Non Conformances Identified in Pathology Laboratory Assessment Accreditation (Current) 51
Description 51
Grant Recipient 51
Aims and Objectives 51
Outcome 51
Key Incident Monitoring & Management Systems (Current) 51
Description 51
Grant Recipient 52
Objectives 52
Outcomes 52
Findings 52
Recommendations 53
Key Project Learnings 53
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 54
Areas for Future Consideration 54
Quality Assurance and Capacity – New Technology 55
Virtual Microscope (2005) 56
Description 56
Grant Recipient 56
Aims and Objectives 56
Outcomes 56
Findings 57
Key Project Learning 57
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 57
High Resolution Scanning Microscopy for Quality Assurance and Educational Applications (2009) 57
Description 57
Grant Recipient 57
Aims and Objectives 57
Outcomes 57
Development of a Quality Assurance Module for Human Papilloma Virus Testing (2008) 58
Description 58
Grant Recipient 58
Aims and Objectives 58
Outcomes 58
Findings 59
Recommendations 59
Preparing for Genomic Medicine: National Audit and Development of a Best Practice Approach (2009) 59
Description 59
Grant Recipient 59
Aims and Objectives 59
Outcomes 60
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 60
The catalogue of genes, genetic tests and genetic laboratories was established as a component within the 60
Areas for Future Consideration 60
Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Testing (2011) 60
Description 60
Grant Recipient 60
Aims and Objectives 60
Findings 60
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 62
Areas for Future Consideration 62
PoCT Training, Certification, Support and Skill Maintenance Program (Australian PoCT Practitioners Network – APPN) (Current) 62
Description 62
Grant Recipient 62
Aim 62
Outcomes 62
Establishment of a Molecular Genetics Quality Assurance Program (Current) 63
Description 63
Grant Recipient 63
Aim 63
Objectives 63
Outcomes 64
MAWSON – An Online Repository of Genetic Data to Aid Reporting of Medical Genetic Tests (Current) 64
Description 64
Grant Recipient 64
Aim 64
Outcomes 64
Areas for Future Consideration 65
eHealth Capability 66
Pathology Informatics Working Party (2003) 67
Description 67
Grant Recipient 68
Aims and Objectives 68
Outcomes 68
Findings 68
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 68
Development of on On-line Maintenance System for the Australian Pathology Request and Result Code Sets (2003) 69
Description 69
Grant Recipient 69
Aims and Objectives 69
Outcomes 69
Recommendations 70
Key Project Learning 70
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 70
Pathology and General Practice Software Integration Project (PaGSIP) (2003) 70
Description 70
Grant Recipients 70
Aims and Objectives 70
Findings 70
Recommendations 71
Key Project Learnings 71
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 72
Areas for Future Consideration 72
Chain of Information Custody for the Pathology Request-Test-Report Cycle in Australia (Guidelines for Pathology Requesters and Pathology Providers) (2004) 72
Description 72
Grant Recipient 72
Aims 72
Outcome 73
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 73
Supporting HL7 for Health Informatics Standards (2004) 73
Description 73
Grant Recipient 73
Aims and Objectives 73
Outcomes 73
Finding 73
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 73
A Study of the Impact of the Use of General Practice Computer Systems on the Ordering of Pathology (2004) 74
Description 74
Grant Recipients 74
Aim 74
Outcomes 74
Findings 74
Recommendation 76
Key Project Learning 76
Areas for Future Consideration 77
Application of Pathology Informatics to Reporting of Critical/Abnormal Results for Improved Requester/Provider Communication and Improved Patient Care (2004) 77
Description 77
Grant Recipient 77
Aims and Objectives 77
Outcomes 78
Finding 78
Recommendations 78
Key Project Learnings 78
Padlok On-line Pathology Ordering System (2005) 79
Description 79
Grant Recipient 79
Aims and Objectives 79
Outcomes 79
Findings 79
Recommendations 80
Key Project Learnings 80
Areas for Future Consideration 81
Information Extraction from Narrative Pathology Reports on Melanoma (2008) 81
Description 81
Grant Recipient 81
Aims and Objectives 81
Findings 81
Recommendation 82
Key Project Learnings 82
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 82
Automatic Compilation of Synoptic Reports from Narrative Pathology Reports (Stage 2) (2010 Submitted with the title: The Pathology Reporter) 82
Description 82
Grant Recipient 82
Aims and Objectives 82
Outcome 83
Findings 83
Recommendation 83
Key Project Learning 83
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 83
Areas for Future Consideration 83
Automatic Population of Synoptic Reports from Narrative Pathology Reports (Stage 3) (Current) 83
Description 83
Grant Recipient 83
Aims and Objectives 83
Recommendation 84
Standardisation of Pathology Terminology and Units (Current) 84
Description 84
Grant Recipient 84
Aims and Objectives 84
Pathology Requesting and Reporting – Requester and Consumer Focus 85
Guidelines for Patient/Consumer Access to Pathology Test Reports (2001) 87
Description 87
Grant Recipient 87
Aim 87
Findings 87
Recommendations 88
AUSLAB Retest Interval Trial Project (2003) 89
Description 89
Grant Recipient 89
Aims 89
Outcomes 89
Findings 90
Recommendations 90
Key Project Learnings 90
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 91
AUSLAB Retest Interval Project (2004) 91
Description 91
Grant Recipient 91
Aim 91
Outcomes 91
Findings 91
Key Project Learnings 92
Area for Future Consideration 92
Home Monitoring of Warfarin Therapy in Children using the CoaguchekTM Point of Care INR Monitor (2003) 93
Description 93
Grant Recipients 93
Aim 93
Outcomes 93
Findings 93
Recommendation 94
Key Project Learning 94
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 94
Facilitating Best Practice Pathology Utilisation by the Use of Hand-Held Decision Support Devices (2004) 94
Description 94
Grant Recipient 94
Aims 94
Objectives 94
Outcomes 95
Findings 97
Recommendations 97
Key Project Learnings 98
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 99
Area for Future Consideration 99
Improving GP Access to and Use of Retrospective and Current Pathology Data to Increase Detection of Early Diabetes (IGT and IFG) in General Practice (2005) 100
Description 100
Grant Recipient 100
Aims and Objectives 100
Outcomes 100
Findings 101
Recommendations 101
Key Project Learnings 102
Areas for Future Consideration 103
Quality Use of Pathology Services Education Program (2006) 103
Description 103
Grant Recipient 103
Aims and Objectives 104
Outcomes 104
Findings 104
Recommendations 105
Key Project Learnings 105
Areas for Future Consideration 105
Investigation into the Reasons for Incorrect or Incomplete Pathology Request Forms (2008) 105
Description 105
Grant Recipient 106
Aims 106
Outcomes 106
Findings 106
Recommendations 107
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 107
Areas for Future Consideration 107
Enhancing the Quality Use of Pathology for GP Registrars and International Medical Graduates – Assessing the Need (2009) 108
Description 108
Grant Recipient 108
Aim 108
Objectives 108
Outcomes 108
Findings 109
Recommendations 111
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 112
Areas for Future Consideration 112
Effect of a Structured Microbiology Laboratory Report on Antimicrobial Prescribing for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Elderly Females (2010) 112
Description 112
Grant Recipients 112
Aim 113
Outcomes 113
Findings 113
Recommendations 114
Areas for Future Consideration 114
Identifying how Electronic Decision Support (EDS) in Computerised Pathology Order Entry Systems can Improve Pathology Practice, Rational Ordering and Patient Outcomes (2010) 114
Description 114
Grant Recipient 115
Aims and Objectives 115
Outcomes 115
Findings 116
Recommendations 116
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 116
The Impact of the Implementation of Electronic Ordering of Pathology Requesting and the Quality and Effectiveness of Hospital Pathology Services – Building a Robust Evidence Base and Benefits Framework for Successful e-Health Diffusions (Current) 117
Description 117
Grant Recipient 117
Aim 117
Objectives 117
Outcomes 117
Computer Assisted Patient Simulations for Education in the Rational Use of Investigations – Final Report for Phase 1 (iNvestigate Project) (2010) 118
Description 118
Grant Recipient 118
Aim 118
Outcomes 118
Recommendations 119
Key Project Learnings 119
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 119
iNvestigate: Online Patient Simulations for Education in the Rational Use of Investigations – Final Report for Phase 2 (2011) 119
Description 119
Grant Recipient 120
Aims and Objectives 120
Outcomes 120
Finding 120
Recommendations 120
Key Project Learnings 121
Follow on Initiatives and Projects 121
Areas for Future Consideration 121
iNvestigate: Online Patient Simulations for Education in the Rational Use of Investigations (Current) 121
Description 121
Grant Recipient 121
Aims 121
Outcomes 121
Encouraging Quality Pathology Ordering in Australia’s Public Hospitals (2011) 122
Description 122
Grant Recipient 122
Aims and Objectives 122
Outcomes 122
Findings 124
Recommendations 126
Key Project Learning 127
Areas for Future Consideration 127
Effective Communication of Pathology Results in Requesting Practitioners and Consumers (Current) 127
Description 127
Grant Recipients 127
Aims 127
Outcomes 127
Workforce Capacity and Competence 129
PathWay (2005) 130
The Australian Pathology Workforce Crisis (2008) 131
Description 131
Grant Recipient 131
Review of Pathology Specialist Development Pathways (2010) 137
Description 137
Grant Recipient 137
Impact of Workload of Anatomical Pathologists on Quality and Safety (2011) 141
Description 141
Grant Recipient 142
Survey of the Pathology Workforce (2011) 144
Description 144
Grant Recipient 144
Career Structures and Pathways for the Scientific Workforce in Medical Pathology Laboratories (2011) 148
Description 148
Grant Recipient 148
Consumer Focus and Information Strategies 152
Quality Use of Pathology Consumer Consultation Project (2010) 152
Description 152
Grant Recipient 152
Benefits and Risks of Pathology Testing (Current) 154
Description 154
Grant Recipient 155
Lab Tests OnlineAU Stage 1 (Current) 155
Description 155
Grant Recipient 155
Access Initiatives – Raising Awareness 157
Optimising Health Benefits for Aboriginal People who take Warfarin (2009) 158
Description 158
Grant Recipient 158
Quality Assurance for Aboriginal Medical Services (QAAMS) (Current) 160
Description 160
Grant Recipient 160
Quality Assurance for Aboriginal Medical Services (QAAMS) Quality Assurance Program (Current) 163
Description 163
Grant Recipient 163
Communication Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement 165
Report from the National Workshop on Safety and Quality in Pathology (2007) 165
Description 165
Grant Recipient 166
The Second National Workshop on Safety and Quality in Pathology (2008) 168
Description 168
Grant Recipient 168
Best Practice in Pathology Requesting and Reporting Workshop (2009) 169
Description 169
Grant Recipient 170
Pathology Workforce Workshop (2011) 171
Description 171
Grant Recipient 171
Areas for Future Consideration 174
Appendix A – Report Summaries Relevant to Different Themes 175