Rebecca Esteve, Improvement Foundation Australia
Phase Two of the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives (APCC) Program is now being rolled out to Divisions and practices across Australia . The Program is delivered by the Improvement Foundation ( Australia ) [IFA] who was awarded the tender in December 2007. IFA is a subsidiary company of the Improvement Foundation based in Manchester, England; an internationally renowned quality improvement organisation.
The work of the Improvement Foundation has affected 60 million people in the UK and internationally, including in Australia, over the last six years. The Improvement Foundation has a track record of gaining results, and building local capacity to ensure that organisations can continue their quality journey. For more information about IFA visit <www.improve.org.au>.
The workshops
The first learning workshop events were held in Sydney in June 2008 and included participants from NSW, QLD and ACT, and in Perth in August for WA, SA and NT participants. Participants included GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and Division staff. Plenary speakers Dr Dale Ford, Dr Tony Lembke and Dr Andrew Knight inspired audiences at both events with their expertise and passion for quality improvement. Participants returned to their practices enthusiastic about making improvements to the care they are delivering to their patient communities. Learning workshop 1 for Victoria and Tasmania will be held in Melbourne in November this year.
Baseline data
Following each state event, practices submit baseline data. Baseline data showed a higher starting point compared to practices in Phase 1. Having the Phase 2 baseline data at a higher starting point may indicate a general improvement in the way data is managed at the practice level. This is an encouraging sign for the APCC team and Phase 1 Divisions who worked hard to get the word out about having clean data and up-to-date registers. You will find all state data graphs at <www.apcc.org.au/results.html>.
Measurement and Data submission
Measurement continues to be a vital component of the effectiveness of the Program and we keep the Divisions network updated with any new developments in this area. We encourage all Phase 1 practices to continue their improvement work with the Program and to continue measuring their progress by submitting data each month and we welcome Phase 1 practices to take advantage of additional measures as they become available. The Program continues to provide quarterly graphs to all Phase One practices who submit monthly data.
For more information about the APCC Program see <www.apcc.org.au>.
Rebecca Esteve Communications Officer
Improvement Foundation Australia
E: rebecca.esteve@improve.org.au
W: www.apcc.org.au
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