Preparing for the New Financial Year: Essential Digital Health Tips from the PHN for Healthcare Administration

1. Self-register with Provider Connect Australia (PCA™)

Keeping your business details up-to-date doesn’t have to be a burden anymore. Provider Connect Australia™ (PCA™) is a free initiative by the Australian Digital Health Agency that allows you to update your business information and automatically send those updates to your connected business partners.

These partners include:

• Healthcare directories, booking, and review services
• Primary Health Networks
• Professional bodies and associations
• Public health services
• Secure messaging and information exchanges

PCA™ saves time, reduces human error, and eliminates the hassle of filling out multiple forms. To get started with PCA™, visit their official website and register your practice today.

2. Install SeNT on Practice Computers

For practices in the Hunter, New England Local Health District, it's important to ensure that SeNT is installed on all computers.

SeNT offers several features that enhance administrative efficiency and patient care:

• Practice View: All users can see all SeNT eReferrals that have been parked or submitted for all patients within the practice when SeNT is launched. This feature provides a better administrative overview of all eReferrals including access to live updates of the status of Non HNE-LHD referrals.
• Update Referral: Doctors can easily update previously submitted referrals to Hunter New England Local Health District services should their patient’s condition change or they have additional information or results to advise. The updated information is automatically linked to the original referral.
• Copy Referral: Doctors and Nurses can copy an existing referral (parked or submitted), creating a new referral pre-populated with content from the original. This function saves time by eliminating the need to re-enter data.
• User Roles: Nurses and practice managers can use the SeNT eReferral program to enhance workflow in general practice and Chronic Disease Management clinics. Nurses can commence and park referrals for Doctors to review, edit, and submit. Practice Managers can access the list views for Patient and Practice contexts.

Ask your IT provider to install SeNT and leverage these features to improve your practice’s workflow.

3. Encourage Patients to Register for an Active Script List (ASL)

Talking to your patients about registering for an ASL can significantly enhance their experience with electronic prescriptions. Previously, individuals could only register for an ASL at a pharmacy, but now general practice software may offer this functionality.

Benefits of ASL include:

• Simplified management of electronic prescriptions without the need for multiple tokens on their mobile device.
• Automatic addition of electronic prescriptions to the ASL, reducing the need for presenting tokens at the pharmacy.
• By discussing ASL registration with your patients, you can help streamline their prescription management process.

For more information about electronic prescriptions and ASL visit the Agency’s webpage on Electronic prescribing for prescribers.

Access the CPD accredited free online learning training for prescribers, Electronic prescriptions and Active Script List in your Practice.

4. Utilise Australian Digital Health Agency E-learning Modules

Continuous learning and development are crucial in the healthcare sector. Ensure that your practice staff are up-to-date with the latest practices and technologies by encouraging them to engage with available e-learning modules.

These modules can cover a range of topics from administrative tasks to patient care techniques, ensuring your team is well-prepared for the new financial year.