SearchCOVID-19 Digital Health Update
March 26, 2020
Consult safely using Telehealth Video Call Consultations
The outbreak of COVID-19 in Australia has placed increased importance on primary healthcare providers using telehealth video call consultations with their patients/clients due to social distancing and self-quarantine measures.
Recent updates to MBS item numbers due to COVID-19 support telehealth video consultations to be bulk billed by GPs, specialists, consultant physicians, obstetricians, consultant psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, allied mental health workers and midwives. See the MBS online summary webpage for COVID-19for eligibility and item number information.
As of 23 March, the new telehealth items numbers were expanded to include vulnerable general practitioners and other vulnerable health professionals who are currently authorised to use telehealth items numbers, so they can continue to consult with their patients.
This includes healthcare providers who are:
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GPs and other health care providers in our region can sign up and access for free healthdirect Australia Video Callplatform. The telehealth platform allows you to deliver care to your patients via video consultation.
Contact our practicesupport@ddwmphn.com.au if you want to get connected.
Use My Health Record to streamline patient information
As demand increases for primary health care services due to COVID-19, it is important that your patient’s shared health summaries are uploaded to My Health Record
When used by patients and health care providers My Health Record can quickly provide:
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My Health Record can be used by general practices, pathologies, specialists, allied health providers and pharmacies and provides quick information for healthcare providers about a patient’s previous care. During the COVID-19, this is particularly important in case your patient requires care away from their usual care setting.
For more information see myhealthrecord.gov.au
Beware COVID-19 scams
ASD’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has advised of a COVID-19 themed scam being distributed via text message.
The text messages appear to come from ‘GOV’ as the sender and they include a fake link to find out when to ‘get tested in your geographical area’ for COVID-19. The link in these text messages is not legitimate, and if clicked on, may install malicious software on your device, designed to steal your banking details.
Attackers are trying to exploit heightened public interest during this unprecedented time. Please update all your staff on this scam and be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links that look suspicious.
See more cyber security tips here.
