PCD Strategy Evaluation 2007.pdf - NT Health Digital Library ...

3.1.2 Patient information and recall systems (PIRS)Objective 2: There will be updated population lists in all community health centres;and a recall system, either paper-based or computerised, in all community healthcentres and general practices.The Evidence:There is strong evidence that health care systems for chronic conditions are most effective whenthe „health of a defined population‟ is prioritised, rather than a single unit of patient seeking care(32, 36) . Using a systematic population approach – through the use of population lists, andinformation and recall systems – will have a greater effect on the patient‟s health outcomes thanindividual care (32, 37) . It will also be more financially efficient in the long run.The situation at baselineIn the late 1990‟s a number of patient information systems were being used throughout theNorthern Territory to organise chronic disease care in Aboriginal Community Controlled HealthOrganisations (ACCHOs) and remote primary health care services. These systems included:‣ The computerised Chronic Disease Recall (CDR) used in NTDH&CS Remote HealthServices‣ Indigenous Coordinated Care Trials Information System (CCTIS) at KWHB and Tiwiislands,‣ Medical Director in General Practice‣ The paper-based Total Recall system in Top End and CARDEX in Central Australia, and‣ A number of other methods designed and utilised locally on an ad-hoc basis.At this time computerised patient information systems were not commonly used in Aboriginalprimary health care services. In 2000 OATSIH provided funding for ACCHOs to purchase acomputerised Patient Information Recall System (PIRS). The systems available for purchase wereCommunicare or Ferret.What patient information and recall systems exist?a. Patient information systemsThe majority of ACCHOs funded by the Australian Government in the NT use one of two PIRSsystems – Communicare or Ferret. Medical Director has become the information system of choicein general practice and a few ACCHOs also use this system. All of these computerised patientChapter 3: Progress Against PCDS Objectives – Evaluation of the NT Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy 2007 23