PoCT Training, Certification, Support and Skill Maintenance Program (Australian PoCT Practitioners Network – APPN) (Current)
Description
This project is seeking to establish a training, competency assessment and ongoing education infrastructure for Point-of-Care Testing (PoCT) device operators known as the Australian Point of Care Practitioners Network (APPN)
Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB)
Aim
to provide access to a training and support service that will allow PoCT devices to be operated by health personnel to adequate clinical standards.
This project is current and this aim is in the process of being achieved.
Outcomes
Core education and assessment modules have been established for competency in the operation and maintenance of PoCT devices in settings outside laboratories (such as general practices) which can be delivered by Registered Training Organisations and used under relevant accreditation frameworks as a basis for competency assessment.
The Diabetes Modules have been approved by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal College of Nursing Australia (RCNA) as counting points for their continuing personal development programs.
The INR (International Normalised Ratio) Anticoagulation Module has been approved by the ACRRM.
The Lipids Module is complete with modules for PoCT for cardiac markers and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) currently in development.
Guidelines, where available, have been included into the content of the modules.
In December 2011 almost 800 people were registered as APPN members and over 620 competency assessments had been performed with the proportion of competency tests passed continuing to increase as the material content increased.
Establishment of a Molecular Genetics Quality Assurance Program (Current)
Description
This project is seeking to improve existing and new quality assurance (QA) modules for external assessment of molecular genetic tests.
to improve the quality of genetic testing in Australian laboratories by establishing a stand-alone program for the external quality assessment of molecular genetics within the current quality assurance program provided by RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty Ltd.
Objectives
to establish an expanded methods-based external quality assessment of molecular genetic program for incorporation into the Molecular Genetics Quality Assurance Program (MGQAP) which will be trialed in the latter part of 2009 for introduction as a formal RCPA QAP Program in 2010
to change administration of the existing Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) Program into the established RCPA QAP with joint administration by the RCPA QAP and HGSA
to develop new technical modules for the external quality assessment of molecular genetics
to develop procedures and documentation to allow International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation G13:2000 standard accreditation
to establish the procedures and documentation to allow MGQAP to operate as a self-funded stand-alone program after the completion of the project.
This project is current and the aim and objectives are in the process of being achieved.
Outcomes
Nine MGQAP modules have been developed.
A laboratory has been established to enable accurate preparation of genomic DNA samples for quality assurance and sample exchange modules, together with a DNA bank which is currently expanding with additional samples.
Work has commenced in preparation for the accreditation of the MGQAP including holding discussions with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for a planned assessment in June 2012.
A sample exchange registry has been established for smaller test numbers where no formal quality assurance program (QAP) currently exists to assist laboratories in comparing test results.
A basic informative website is planned for early 2012 with a more comprehensive site planned for a mid year release.
MAWSON – An Online Repository of Genetic Data to Aid Reporting of Medical Genetic Tests (Current)
Description
This project is developing a database (the MAWSON Database) to hold genetic data collected semi-automatically from participating Australian genetic laboratories for use as a reference tool to enable best-practice reporting of genetic testing. The database can be handed over to a suitable organisation to allow it to operate as a self-funded stand-alone program after the completion of the project with the intent of maximising participation. Data will also be uploaded from the MAWSON Database to the International Human Variome Project (HVP). More information can be found at: http://www.mawsonproject.com.
to develop a database (the MAWSON Database) that will retain genetic data collected semi-automatically from participating laboratories. These data will be accessible to a group of collaborating medical genetic laboratories in the form of a “virtual lab meeting” to enable the development of best practice reporting of genetic testing. The program will initially establish a database repository with familial breast cancer mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes) from genetic laboratories throughout Australia.
This project is current and this aim is in the process of being achieved.
Outcomes
The project has successfully tested the prototype at Flinders Medical Centre, SA, with publication of the source code for laboratory access (Mawson Client).
Undertaking further testing of the prototype at other laboratories has delayed the project. The Familial Cancer Service at Westmead Hospital NSW, and the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at Pathology Queensland-Central Laboratory has agreed to test the prototype
Initial discussions have been undertaken with the RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty Ltd (RCPA QAP) regarding the ongoing maintenance and possible commercialisation of the database when the project has been completed
A formal agreement has been negotiated with the HVP to collect eligible data in SA and convey it to the HVP database to allow data comparison.
Areas for Future Consideration
Further possible work by the Genetics Working Party set up under the Pathology Funding Agreement.
