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December: QI Activity

Health Topic: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

We have around 621,500 people in our region, and 6.5% of our population identifies as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. This is higher than the state average of 5.2% and the nearly double national average of 3.8%.

  • There is an 11.8-year gap in health-adjusted life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in the Darling Downs region, and an 8.3-year gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in the West Moreton region, compared with other residents (Queensland Health 2017).
  • Across the Darling Downs and West Moreton region, more than 35% have at least one chronic condition.
  • In the Darling Downs region, cardiovascular disease (2.9 years), mental health (1.2 years), cancer (2.1 years) and diabetes (1.5 years) are the most significant contributors to the gap.
  • In the West Moreton region, cardiovascular disease (2.4 years), diabetes (1.5 years) and mental health (1.4 years) are the most significant contributors to the gap.

Step 1: Identify your QI Measures

Start by considering which of the relevant QI measures you will work towards in support of better managing your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Measures you could choose from include:

  • Identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients eligible for an annual 715 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Assessment
  • Identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients eligible for an annual CDM GPMP/TCA
  • Identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients with 2+ chronic conditions who have not visited the practice in the last 6 months.

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Step 2: Undertake your QI activity

We've prepared a simple worksheet that can help you work through activity you will need undertake to meet the Improvement Measure you have selected.

1. Identify your plan, using the Model for Improvement:

  • What are you trying to accomplish? eg. increase the proportion of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients with 715 Health Assessment recorded in the last 12 months.
  • How will we know that change is an improvement? Set a specific measure or SMART goal, eg. increase the proportion of regular (active) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients with a 715 Health Assessment claimed at the practice in the last 12 months by 15% by the end of the PIP quarter.
  • What changes can you make that will result in improvement? Come up with your own ideas or consider ours below.

2. Some possible ideas you could choose to do:

  • Conduct a team meeting to ensure all relevant team members are aware of the PIP QI focus for the quarter and highlight the importance of having 715 Health Assessments completed every 12 months for this vulnerable cohort.
  • Complete a CAT4 search for eligible patients and recall those who have not had their 715 Health Assessment completed in the last 12 months.
  • Regularly use Pen CS CAT4 and/or Topbar to track and report the percentage of eligible patients in this cohort. Save and document these reports throughout the PIP quarter (ensure all staff are aware that a PDSA is to be completed and filed each quarter should your practice be audited).
  • Display 715 Health Assessment (or general Health Assessment) materials in the clinic waiting room.
  • Utilise Topbar MBS app. Consider creating a specific CAT Prompt Topbar notification for this patient cohort.
  • Use PHN Exchange to track 715 Health Assessment trends to see if we are continuing to improve.

3. Document your actions

  • Use our PDSA Worksheet to document your activity. It also walks you through how to complete a CAT4 search and use PHN Exchange to track cervical screening trends.

4. Resources to help you

Need PHN support?

Our Primary Care Liaison team is available to provide one-on-one support.

Call 07 4615 0900 or contact us online

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Last updated 23 October 2024