Best Practice Software

Bp Premier

Implementation of Bp Premier at Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS)

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Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) provides essential health services across one of Australia’s most remote regions: Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula. This area comprises 31 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs), two hospitals (Thursday Island and Bamaga), a multi-purpose health service (Cooktown), and an integrated health service (Weipa).

Amalgamated in 2012, this Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is responsible for the health services of a population of over 26,000 people covering an area of more than 130,000 square kilometres. 63.7% of this population identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Making this HHS one of Australia’s largest health services providers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

TCHHS’s commitment to providing culturally appropriate healthcare services is crucial, particularly given the complexity of delivering healthcare in resource-limited, geographically dispersed, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

In recent years, TCHHS introduced Bp Premier as their primary electronic medical records (EMR) system to address inefficiencies and patient safety concerns related to their existing clinical and administrative workflows.

Background and Challenges

Prior to the implementation of Bp Premier, TCHHS faced several challenges with their previous system. The northern PHCC sites had been using Bp Premier since 2012, while the southern PHCC sites had been utilising an alternative EMR solution for three years. TCHHS aimed for a unified EMR across its network of service locations to improve uniformity, efficiency, and communication between their healthcare providers. However, the EMR currently being utilised by the southern sites posed significant issues, especially in areas of the electronic delivery of pathology results, imaging, referral letters, and clinical communication.

The Decision to Implement Bp Premier

After carefully evaluating several EMR systems, TCHHS decided to extend the use of Bp Premier across its entire network. The decision was driven by a need for an efficient, reliable, and safe system that could seamlessly integrate with their existing processes and improve workflows across remote PHCC locations.

The key factors in choosing Bp Premier included:

  1. Safety: A system that ensures the secure and accurate delivery of critical patient information such as test results and referrals.
  2. Efficiency: Streamlined workflows for both clinical and administrative tasks, including billing and appointment management.
  3. Integration: The ability to unify patient records across the entire health service and populate reports using Bp Premier’s data extraction tools for quality improvement.
  4. Customisation: TCHHS required a system that could be customised to meet the unique healthcare delivery needs of rural and remote communities, particularly in Indigenous health settings.

Advocacy for Change

Dr Ineke Wever is a GP Rural Generalist with advanced skills in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. She is currently backfilling as the Executive Director of Medical Services for TCHHS and assisting with Bp Premier’s continued rollout across the Southern Cape PHCC. Her ultimate goal is to create a single medical record across the HHS.

Dr Wever has been using Bp Premier as her primary EMR system since 2012, describing the solution as “Efficient, safe, reliable and improving primary care workflows.”

She also credits the rollout of Bp Premier with positive impacts on patient safety. “Patient safety has improved, and oversight over clinical follow-up and safety netting.”

Dr Wever said that the team particularly enjoyed the built-in features of HealthLink SmartForms, John Murtagh’s Patient Education material, observation graphing capabilities, Enhanced Primary Care tools, including health assessments and care plans, plus clinical functions such as the INR manager, cardiovascular risk calculator, DASS21 and Edinburgh PND Scale. The TCHHS has also created customised workflows and templates tailored to their specific service needs.

The Impact of Bp Premier

The rollout of Bp Premier had several positive impacts on healthcare delivery within TCHHS. Some key outcomes included:

  1. Improved patient safety: Bp Premier ensured the accurate and reliable delivery of pathology results, imaging, and clinical correspondence, reducing patient safety risks.
  2. Efficiency benefits: Administrative processes, particularly in billing, appointments, and patient recall, became more streamlined, saving time and reducing the burden on staff.
  3. Customisable workflows: The ability to customise workflows and templates enabled TCHHS to meet the specific healthcare needs of their population, particularly in delivering culturally appropriate care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  4. Reporting and Data Extraction: Bp Premier’s integration with the Primary Healthcare Data Portal allowed TCHHS to extract data for reporting and monitor population health metrics, which is crucial for ongoing quality improvement initiatives.

Conclusion

The introduction of Bp Premier in TCHHS marked a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery in one of Australia’s most remote and untapped regions. The system’s efficiency, reliability and safety have contributed to improved clinical outcomes and streamlined administrative processes. The case of TCHHS exemplifies the importance of tailored, culturally sensitive health solutions in achieving health equity in diverse populations.

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Fetal Rhesus Screening: A Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

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Around one in seven individuals in Australia has a Rhesus D (or RhD) negative blood group. When an RhD negative pregnant patient carries an RhD positive fetus, there is risk of maternal exposure to fetal RhD antigens. Such individuals may be at risk of subsequent pregnancies being affected by haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). This condition causes the red blood cells in the fetus (or in the newborn) to haemolyse, leading to stillbirth or severe neonatal jaundice.

Recommended by clinical guidelines

Traditionally, prophylactic anti-D immunoglobulin (Ig) injections were recommended for RhD negative pregnant patients, irrespective of the fetal Rhesus status. However, it is now possible to determine fetal Rhesus status by testing for the presence of the RHD gene in the placental cell-free DNA derived from the maternal blood sample.

The Australian National Blood Authority Guidelines (endorsed by RANZCOG) recommend that all RhD negative pregnant patients should have access to fetal Rhesus screening (where feasible), to ensure the responsible administration of anti-D Ig only in pregnancies where it is required, avoiding unnecessary exposure to donor blood-derived products.

Clinical screening pathway

Fetal Rhesus screening is a blood test performed on an RhD negative pregnant patient. Testing can generally be performed from 11 weeks’ gestation; however, minimal gestational age requirements may vary between laboratory providers. The detection of RHD gene sequences in the maternal plasma increases the likelihood that the fetus is RhD positive. For these pregnancies, routine anti-D Ig prophylaxis and repeat maternal antibody screening are recommended. The absence of a detectable RHD gene sequence in maternal plasma indicates that anti-D Ig prophylaxis is not required. However, if initial testing was performed prior to 18 weeks’ gestation, repeat testing may be recommended, for confirmatory purposes.

As the fetal Rhesus status may be different with each pregnancy, it is important that this testing is performed each time that an RhD negative patient becomes pregnant.

Medicare eligibility criteria

Bulk-billed testing for fetal Rhesus screening is available under two separate item numbers, depending on whether or not the prospective parent has been previously alloimmunised against RhD. It is therefore vital that the clinical information regarding whether or not the patient has been alloimmunised, confirmation of the RhD negative status of the patient, and the current gestational age of the pregnancy, is provided on the request form to ensure the correct test is performed.

73420

Non‑invasive prenatal testing of blood from an RhD negative pregnant patient for the detection of the RHD gene from fetal DNA circulating in maternal blood, if the patient has not been previously alloimmunised against RhD.

73421

Non-invasive prenatal testing of blood from an RhD negative pregnant patient for the detection of the RHD gene from fetal DNA circulating in maternal blood, if the patient has been previously alloimmunised against RhD.

Further information

For further information regarding this test, and other genetic tests relevant to pregnancy, please visit https://www.sonicgenetics.com.au/our-tests/reproductive-health/

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An Update for Users of Bp Premier Spectra & Spectra SP1

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A navy banner with a yellow bell with text saying that there is an important update for Bp Premier Spectra

This is an update on the identified issue where clinical notes or additional patient information may not be saved in Spectra and Spectra SP1. Please note, previous versions of Bp Premier are not impacted by this issue.

Please be assured that Best Practice is committed to addressing this issue with the highest priority. We appreciate your patience as we work toward a resolution.

Affected users:

Groups that we have seen impacted include:

  • Users experiencing network connectivity issues.
  • Users with configurations that may contribute to communication disruptions between client workstations and server machines (such as laptops/desktops with power saving/sleep modes or hibernation).
  • Other scenarios where the client workstation cannot contact the server.

Identified issue:

  • When a scenario occurs impacting the connection between the Bp Premier client workstation and the server, an explicit notification of the lost connection no longer appears where it has previously, nor is there an option to retry or re-establish the connection.
  • When the connection is restored, there may be instances where Bp Premier appears to operate correctly, but data entered during this time may not save with areas impacted such as visit notes, correspondence, and past prescriptions. This may impact both clinical and non-clinical information.
  • In some cases (but not all), an error message is displayed, though it does not clearly indicate what is happening. 

Current status:

  • We have reproduced this behaviour in a testing environment.
  • A candidate fix has been identified and is currently in beta testing.

Recommended interim actions:

In the interim, to reduce the likelihood of clinical notes and additional patient information not being saved, you can do the following:

  • If your hardware has sleep mode enabled, we recommend disabling sleep mode to prevent potential issues.
  • If you see the errors below (or similar), verify network connectivity on the workstation before continuing. Closing Bp Premier while the errors are occurring or before the network connection has been restored, may result in information not saving.
  • Please take note of or copy information entered, restart your workstation and upon restart, verify network connectivity and if the previous information has been saved.
  • Once you have restarted your workstation and verified network connectivity, check Bp Premier is operating correctly before continuing to add data. For example, add a note to the clinical record, close and re-open the patient record and confirm the note exists.

Support is available:

For further information or advice on this notification, contact our Software Support team on 1300 40 1111 (in Australia), or 0800 40 1111 (in New Zealand), selecting Bp General Products (Option 1 / 1) at the menu.

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Tips & Tricks in Bp Premier

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Have you ever looked at the patient record during a consult and thought…”Wow, I sure don’t need any more useful information on this person”? It’s unlikely isn’t it. Knowing more about your patient’s current and historic family and social history can prove very useful for those of us who are short on time. 

When you start a consult with a patient, take a moment to check their smoking and alcohol history (Ctrl +F10 from the clinical record). This history should always be complete and up to date. You will want to ensure that Smoking, Alcohol history and Ethnicity are all recorded for your PIP QI reporting!

To save time, did you know you can simply double-click the Summaries in the patient record to edit them? Once recorded, this information is easily scannable.

Don’t forget to record a patient’s ethnicity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have differing recommendations for vaccinations than non-indigenous Australians.

While we’re in the patient record, did you know that you can use the ABC button to spellcheck your notes?

Don’t forget to use the database search and supplied searches to generate lists of patients who have missing data. Learn more about it in the knowledge base article on Searching the database.

And for one of the last tips, did you know that from the main screen of Bp Premier you can select Setup > Preferences > ‘Open patient in’ to change how the record opens by default for your patients?

Authored by:

Jesse Maddren
Content Developer at Best Practice Software

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Heart of the Practice: Ideas for Effective Practice Management

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It almost goes without saying, but Practice Managers are increasingly burdened with high staff turnover, frustrated patients, pressures of legislative changes and higher than ever running costs. Never has the role of a Practice Manager become just so pivotal. As the keystone in this intricate ecosystem, Practice Managers bear the responsibility to navigate and mitigate these challenges to ensure the seamless operation of the practice – but how can you increase efficiencies, profit and staff morale when you just don’t have the time?

Through the implementation of targeted communication strategies, staff training programs, and wellness initiatives, Practice Managers can craft an environment that not only supports their teams but also fosters a harmonious workplace culture. Such initiatives are not mere reactionary measures but rather strategic endeavours aimed at building resilience and adaptability among staff members. Out of a competing priority list, start by prioritising effective communication strategies to bridge any gaps between staff and patients. This in turn will help to mitigate misunderstandings and fostering a more respectful atmosphere. Simultaneously, well-curated staff training programs equip team members with the necessary skills to adeptly handle the evolving demands of their roles, thus reducing turnover rates. Is technology or your practice software causing your issues? Your software vendor might be able to help equip your team with some additional skills.

Building upon these strategies, Practice Managers must delve deeper into their implementation to transform the workplace culture genuinely, and that starts with the right people. Leveraging research-based tactics in staff selection and training can fundamentally alter the dynamics within a workplace. By meticulously selecting and interviewing potential hires, Practice Managers ensure that new staff members align with the ethos and demands of the practice, effectively reducing future turnover.  Once they’re on board, developing robust training programs equips staff with pertinent skills but also fosters a sense of preparedness and confidence. This proactive approach aligns with best practices in crisis management by emphasising ongoing development and follow-up as crucial components in staff support systems. You don’t have to do it alone though. There are external organisations full of highly skilled and accredited trainers to outsource to, should you wish. 

The role of Practice Managers in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by General Practitioners’ offices is both pivotal and transformative. Through the implementation of targeted communication strategies, tailored staff training programs, and holistic wellness initiatives, you, as leaders, construct a resilient framework that not only mitigates immediate stressors but also fosters long-term adaptability within your team. By bridging gaps through clear communication, equipping staff to meet evolving demands, and prioritising mental well-being and physical health, Practice Managers can influence an environment where team members feel supported and empowered. This proactive approach transcends mere crisis management by embedding resilience and cohesion into the very fabric of workplace culture.

Authored by:

Suzi Eley Blog Author Image

Suzi Eley
Training and Deployment Team Leader at Best Practice Software

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How Yarra Trail Medical Slashed No-Shows & Streamlined Payments

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Missed patient appointments are a big problem for GP practices. They waste valuable time that could have been used to see other patients, which means longer wait times for everyone. Each missed appointment slot adds to the pressure on already overstretched GPs, making it harder for people who really need help to be seen. Staff also end up spending extra time chasing up no-shows and rearranging appointments. For practices already dealing with high demand and tight budgets, missed appointments just make things harder. Simple solutions like pre-payments and deposits might be the solution that your practice can’t afford not to have.

Yarra Trail Medical is using an online patient payment solutions to make it easier to get paid, reduce missed appointments, and save patients’ time. Erin Manderson, Practice Director at Yarra Trail Medical, shared how the options to take deposits and charge pre-payment have saved the practice money. “We’re using Healthengine to take pre-payment for certain procedures, particularly the more expensive procedures where we need to buy consumables. It’s great because now we don’t lose out if a patient does not attend.”

“With Healthengine Payments, we know that the patient’s card is being checked for funds when they make their booking online, so for cancellations outside our cancellation policy, we can take payment without having to call the patient and chase up invoices.”

Keeping track of every transaction is a huge task. Managing payments incoming from patients and fund distribution for payroll tax can be very confusing, especially when individual practitioners are on different payroll arrangements. “As a growing clinic with lots of doctors – all with different bank accounts – staying on top of who we’re paying is hard. But Healthengine payments makes it easy.” Erin commented. “We’ve had a lot of new doctors start and they’re all set up with Healthengine payments already, it was quick and simple, and they can take control of their own account if they want to.”

“I can happily say that Healthengine is the easiest part of my reconciliation by far – by far! They come through in a batch on Tuesdays and the payments are always in the right doctors’ accounts. In contrast, reconciling the EFTPOS’ receipts with the physical receipts each day is a massive pain.”

Using the EFTPOS machine to take payments can be slow and painful. Erin pointed out, “There’s nothing worse than patients having to stand there at the end of their consult waiting to pay.”

Now, the practice asks its patients, “Can I take the payment through Healthengine?” And they say, “Yes!” They’re happy to get out of the waiting room faster and get on with their day.

GPs, dental clinics, allied health professionals, and specialists can now use online tools to collect deposits and payments, process refunds, reconcile accounts, and follow up on outstanding balances via secure SMS payment links and a conversion-optimised patient payment gateway.

Plug-and-play with: pre-pay, post-pay, deposits, skip payment for medicare eligible appointments, payment request SMS sent with secure payment links, and much more. To learn more about Healthengine Payments, click here.

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Is Outdated Payments Tech Slowing Your Practice Down? Here’s the Fix

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Tryo Health Blog Graphic

Picture a typical busy Monday morning at your practice. Patients are arriving, you’re juggling appointments, and the administrative tasks seem endless. One major source of stress? The time it takes to process payments and claims.
This is a familiar scenario for many healthcare providers in Australia. Outdated payment systems can create bottlenecks, leading to frustration for both patients and staff, and taking valuable time away from what really matters: providing high-quality patient care.

However, there is a solution.

With a modern payment solution, you can transform your practice into a more efficient, patient-focused, and profitable business.

Imagine a practice where patients can pay their bills quickly and easily, allowing your staff to dedicate more time to patient interactions, which can improve overall morale and productivity. A streamlined payments and claims workflow can significantly reduce errors and speed up claim submissions, ultimately supporting your practice’s growth.

For example, the Tyro Pro Key is a next-generation EFTPOS device designed to improve healthcare payment processes. It’s built with a focus on accessibility and user-friendliness, combining a tactile keypad with a touchscreen to accommodate all patients comfortably. This flexibility can minimise confusion and anxiety for patients while helping staff process payments more efficiently, reducing wait times.

This inclusivity is essential in healthcare settings, where diverse patient populations may have varying levels of tech-savviness. By incorporating a device like the Pro Key, which caters to different preferences and abilities, you not only reduce confusion and anxiety for patients but also foster a welcoming environment that prioritises their needs.

The user-friendly design of the Tyro Pro Key doesn’t just help patients; it also significantly enhances the efficiency and productivity of practice staff. With both a tactile keypad and a touchscreen, staff can choose the most convenient method for processing payments, depending on the situation. For instance, a busy front desk can quickly enter transaction details using the keypad while allowing other tasks to be completed using the touchscreen interface when necessary.

“When speaking with our providers, it became clear that practice staff wanted the option of using a physical keypad in addition to a touchscreen. Knowing this, we’ve designed a device that offers both methods, giving staff more flexibility,” says Pete Williams, CTO at Tyro Health.

Staff can easily switch between methods to accommodate patients’ preferences, which minimises wait times and enhances the overall patient experience. Not only that, but less time spent on payment processing means more time available for staff to engage with patients, answer questions, and provide personalised care—key elements that contribute to higher patient satisfaction.

Beyond its user-friendly design, Tyro Pro Key will seamlessly integrate with existing practice management systems (PMS). This integration can streamline payment workflows by reducing the time spent entering and submitting insurance claims, processing gap payments, and handling end-of-day reporting.

Looking ahead, Tyro Pro Key is set to introduce features that further enhance convenience and accessibility, like standalone Private Health and Overseas Visitor claiming (no ethernet cable needed anymore), sign-on-glass, multi-merchant, digital health insurance cards, and options to minimise payment processing costs, such as Dynamic Surcharging1 and Tap & Save2 least-cost routing.

These innovations will help alleviate the stress often associated with payments and claims, allowing you to focus more on patient care. By choosing a modern payment solution, you’re not just improving efficiency; you’re also enhancing the patient experience and supporting your practice’s growth in a meaningful way.

To stay updated on the Tyro Pro Key launch and to learn more about how this device can transform your practice, visit tyrohealth.com/prokey and register your interest.

About Tyro Health

Tyro Health simplifies claims and payments for healthcare providers by offering innovative digital solutions through Tyro Health Online, and our point-of-sale EFTPOS devices. Designed for the health industry, our EFTPOS solutions seamlessly integrate with Best Practice, ensuring efficient operations for your business. Whether you’re an individual practitioner or a multi-location health business, our solutions are designed around the way you work. Find out more at tyrohealth.com

Tyro Health Pty Ltd (Tyro Health) is a wholly owned but not guaranteed subsidiary of Tyro Payments Limited ACN 103 575 042 AFSL 471951.

Disclaimers:

Advertised features will be released progressively and may not be available immediately upon launch.

1. Dynamic Surcharging is available for Mastercard, Visa, eftpos, UnionPay, American Express, JCB, and Diners Club transactions. The Dynamic Surcharging feature is not available for eCommerce transactions or to customers on No Cost EFTPOS pricing. By default, we do not include your EFTPOS machine rental costs into the calculation of your cost of acceptance, however you may choose to apply these costs into your calculation of your cost of acceptance via the Tyro Portal subject to the surcharging rules as set by the RBA and enforced by ACCC and, in relation to American Express transactions, the American Express Merchant Operating Guide (found at www.americanexpress.com.au/merchantopguide).

2. Tyro does not guarantee any cost savings by opting in for Tap & Save. Savings on eligible transactions processed through the cheapest network vary for each business depending on their card mix, transaction volume and amount, industry, and pricing plan. Eligible transactions are contactless debit card transactions less than $1,000. Tap & Save is not available on Special Offer pricing or Card Not-Present Transactions. For details refer to Tyro.com or call 1300 00 TYRO (8976).

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New MBS Item for Diagnosis of Heart Failure

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Healius Blog Banner

The introduction of bulk-billed b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for use in the screening of heart failure by general practitioners is a welcome addition to the Medicare Benefit schedule from November 2024.

Heart failure is a significant clinical problem on a worldwide basis and the early diagnosis can help patients and doctors manage the condition more effectively.  Giving access to GPs for BNP testing is an evidence based and key step in the care pathway. In 2013 an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality sponsored comparative effectiveness review demonstrated that there is a high quality of evidence to support the use of BNP or NT-proBNP as a rule-out test in chronic and acute heart failure both in the emergency room and in the community.

The role of BNP/NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of heart failure

The National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, guidelines published in 2018 for the prevention, detection and management of Heart Failure made a Strong Recommendation for the use of BNP or NT-proBNP for diagnosis when the diagnosis is uncertain. This guideline recommended a rule-out for heart failure with NT-proBNP of less 300 ng/L. This recommendation is based on primary papers rather than the published systematic review evidence. A more recent guideline published by the European Society of Cardiology has a few different cut-points that are relevant to ruling out the diagnosis of heart failure. In chronic heart failure a NT-proBNP of < 125 ng/L or BNP < 35 ng/L can rule out chronic heart failure in all ages. This is based on people with symptoms suggestive of heart failure or symptoms that could include heart failure as a possible differential diagnosis. Above these levels it is recommended that echocardiography is performed.  For people who present with symptoms suggestive of acute heart failure the cut-point for NT-proBNP is < 300 ng/L or BNP < 100 ng/L.

The cut-points presented are based on a rule-out of heart failure either chronic or acute. Due to the number of other common conditions (e.g. advanced age, renal dysfunction, COPD, anaemia etc.) that can cause an increase in BNP/NT-proBNP the rule-in data is less robust but is still an effective biomarker, particularly as the results get into the higher ranges (> 900 ng/L for NT-proBNP). In the systematic reviews conducted for the 2014 report the GRADE rating was high (4 hashed circles)  for rule-out and moderate (three hashed, one open  ) for rule-in. Thus, the Medicare benefit talks about using BNP/NT-proBNP as a screening test to help identify who would benefit from echocardiogram, as echocardiogram remains the diagnostic test of choice.

In the context of the new benefit, for use in the community, the exclusion of heart failure with NT-proBNP of < 125 ng/L or BNP < 35 ng/L can rule out heart failure in all ages. People with values above these levels will benefit from echocardiography to make the diagnosis.

The Medicare benefit does not distinguish between BNP/NT-proBNP as the evidence for use is equivalent for both. However, there is an important caveat for the choice of BNP in the community setting. NT-proBNP is more stable (days) than BNP (hours) in collected serum samples. BNP requires special handling by the laboratory to maintain stability, if it is not analysed in reasonably quick timeframe. This factor has been taken into consideration in the UK based NICE recommendations and the Canada based Ontario Health Technology assessment.  Thus, most GPs will become familiar with NT-proBNP where hospital-based Doctors may see both BNP and NT-proBNP results.

BNP/NT-proBNP items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule

BNP/NT-proBNP has been available with restricted criteria for certain conditions. These benefits remain in place.  Items 66585 refers to testing in patients with scleroderma and risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension, 66586 for people with diagnosed pulmonary artery hypertension to monitor disease progression, and 66830 refers to the use in people presenting with dyspnoea at hospital emergency departments. The new item, 66829, refers to the use in suspected heart failure in the community setting, to aid in the clinical decision for the necessity of an echocardiogram.

The new benefit is restricted to once per year and as an assistance in identifying people with possible heart failure. For all MBS items it is important to provide the appropriate clinical detail in the clinical note on the requestion, so that the billing item can be correctly identified.

BNP/NT-proBNP items NOT on the Medicare Benefits Schedule

There are other clinical areas where the use NT-proBNP or BNP can be helpful in establishing prognosis and supporting management of heart failure. These use cases are not covered by the MBS and in these instances, patients will need to pay for the test.

References:

Balion C, Don-Wauchope A, Hill S, Santaguida PL, Booth R, Brown JA, et al. Use of Natriuretic Peptide Measurement in the Management of Heart Failure. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2013.

Booth RA, Hill SA, Don-Wauchope A, Santaguida PL, Oremus M, McKelvie R, et al. Performance of BNP and NT-proBNP for diagnosis of heart failure in primary care patients: a systematic review. Heart failure reviews. 2014;19:439–51.

Hill SA, Booth RA, Santaguida PL, Don-Wauchope A, Brown JA, Oremus M, et al. Use of BNP and NT-proBNP for the diagnosis of heart failure in the emergency department: a systematic review of the evidence. Heart failure reviews. 2014;19:421–38.

Atherton JJ, Sindone A, Pasquale CGD, Driscoll A, MacDonald PS, et al. National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand: Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection, and Management of Heart Failure in Australia 2018. Heart, Lung Circ. 2018;27:1123–208.

McDonagh TA, Metra M, Adamo M, Gardner RS, Baumbach A, et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail. 2022;24:4–131.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106

(Quality) OH. Use of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) as Diagnostic Tests in Adults With Suspected Heart Failure: A Health Technology Assessment. Ont Heal Technol Assess Ser. 2021;21:1–125.

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How’s Your Billing, Financial Management & Reporting Going?

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Billing, Financial Management and Reporting Blog Graphic

With government and regulatory requirements becoming ever more stringent, there is an imperative for meticulous financial communication to prevent costly errors and ensure compliance. By empowering your staff to navigate financial intricacies with confidence and precision, you can ultimately translate that into improved patient care through streamlined administrative functions. It’s becoming critical to make that investment into your practice efficiencies and Best Practice needs to do our part by making sure we have fit for use courses to keep you in the know.

Are you are a Practice Manager who would like to understand more about the various reports available to you in Bp Premier, or a receptionist who has mastered the basics of the appointment book and looking for the next challenge? Even an accountant or bookkeeper who may need to know how to manage practice accounts without needing to use the appointment book would benefit, so join us as we show you how to create all different types of accounts (e.g. bulk billing, private billing, DVA, Workcover, third parties); take you through the full Online Claiming workflow from start to finish; and focus on the various reports available to audit your practice and pay your doctors correctly. Access the experts, have your questions answered.  

Accurate billing produces several key outcomes, including:

  • Reduces Medicare rejections
  • Seeks to enhance patient satisfaction through clear financial communication
  • Supports financial planning by providing insights into revenue streams and expenses
  • Facilitates cost control and informed decision-making
  • Seeks to minimizes human errors
  • Improves integration with other systems
  • Enables effective training and troubleshooting, thus ensuring the smooth and compliant operation of the practice

Please join us for our next session on 19th November 9:00am – 12:00pm (AEST). Click below for more information and to register. 

Register Now

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Doctor or da Vinci? The Art of Anatomical Models

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Many doctors possess a creative touch, but few would claim to be Leonardo da Vinci when it comes to anatomical illustrations that enhance patient understanding during consultations. While it’s clear that quality visuals support better patient comprehension, sourcing consistent and accurate illustrations can be a challenge, especially with time constraints and limited resources.

Doctors’ practices often face roadblocks such as inconsistent educational materials, time limitations for explaining complex conditions, and the need for patients to grasp intricate medical concepts quickly. These challenges can hinder effective communication, leaving patients confused or unsure about their diagnosis and treatment options.

Online interactive anatomy provides a powerful solution to these challenges by offering an interactive 3D anatomical model that transforms patient education. Instead of relying on static, one-dimensional images, doctors can now present the human body in a way that is immersive and dynamic. Patients can explore detailed anatomy through interactive features, including zooming in, rotating, and even dissecting parts of the model to see how various organs, muscles, and bones function together.

For example, in a practice dealing with orthopaedic injuries, a doctor can show a 3D model of a knee joint to a patient suffering from a ligament tear. By rotating the model and isolating specific components, the doctor can explain the injury and proposed surgery with far greater clarity than a traditional diagram could provide. This interactivity not only enriches patient engagement but also helps them feel more confident in the treatment process, leading to better compliance and outcomes.

Real-world benefits like these extend beyond individual consultations. In busy practices where time is of the essence, 3D anatomy streamlines the explanation process, reducing the time doctors need to spend on repetitive explanations. This efficiency frees up valuable time, enabling doctors to see more patients without sacrificing the quality of care.

Moreover, practices can use the models to build a stronger rapport with patients, offering a more personalised and informed experience. The ability to share annotated models directly with patients ensures they leave the consultation with a clear understanding of their condition, leading to higher satisfaction and trust.

In collaboration with 3D Anatomica, and with the support of Australian Doctor Group, Best Practice is making 3DGlassman available to Australian doctors, providing an ever-expanding library of male and female anatomical models. By making these tools freely available, practices are empowered to enhance communication and patient understanding effortlessly. This not only elevates the standard of care but also helps build long-term patient relationships based on trust and clarity.

In today’s fast-paced medical environment, where patient education is critical, 3DGlassman provides an innovative solution that seamlessly integrates into daily operations, elevating the quality of healthcare communication.

Available in your Best Practice toolbar, the 3DA button allows you to conveniently register for free using the access code: BEST24. 

This opportunity is for a limited time only.

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