Welcome to the OAA NSW/ACT Division Website
NOTE TO ALL WEBSITE VISITORS...
If you are looking for an optometrist with therapeutic qualifications (or other specific attributes), you are welcome to call the NSW/ACT Association for assistance on (02) 9712 2199.
ATTENTION THERAPEUTIC OPTOMETRISTS!
If you have therapeutics qualifications and haven’t yet advised the office, please contact Andrew on (02) 9712 2199 or via email by clicking here. We are compiling a list of members with therapeutics endorsement.
2012 AUSTROADS MEDICAL STANDARDS
The March 2012 Austroads medical standards for licencing and clinical management guidelines entitled "Assessing Fitness to Drive for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers" have just been released. Some of the changes include:
- Expanded section on the roles and responsibilities of the driver licensing authority, drivers and health professionals (Part A:2 and A:3)
- Expanded section on practical drivers assessments (Part A:4.9)
- Modified medical decision-making process flowchart (Part A:5)
- Expanded information on procedures to test visual acuity and visual fields (Part B:10)
- Changes to the medical standards for visual acuity and visual fields (Part B:10)
Please click here to download the new standards.
MAY 12 NEWS: From the President
All of us have them – "challenging" patients. You know the ones - the patient who despite our best efforts and explanations refuses to clean or change their contact lenses, continues extended wear despite warning and even after viewing images of their GPC, or the patient with a family history of glaucoma who refuses anaesthetic.
Where do you stand in all of this? How can you still provide quality care and be covered against complaints?
Firstly it is important to remember that we advise patients, and the patients make decisions based on our advice. This means they may choose to refuse treatment offered.
Despite having a family history of glaucoma and retinal detachment, it is a patient’s right to refuse anaesthetic and mydriatic drops. However, in these circumstances even though we cannot protect the patient from themselves, we need to ensure that we protect ourselves and our employers.
It is our duty of care as health professionals to ensure we make every effort possible to clearly explain that some ocular conditions are difficult or impossible to detect without the use of eye drops. Just as importantly we need to explain that if this information is not obtained the possible ocular conditions which can be undetected.
Thinking outside the box, you may want to consider newer tonometers now available that don’t require eye drops. If the patient is failing to adhere to any reasonable standard of contact lens wear and care you may want to consider withdrawing the supply of contact lenses.
To protect you and your employer, your best defence is to ensure that your advice and warnings on risks for the patient, as well as their decision based on that advice, is recorded in your clinical records.
If you are particularly concerned that the patient did not understand, and their decision has the potential to result in vision loss please confirm your advice and their decision in writing.
Further information on how to keep excellent clinical records will be available in a CPD series provided by the association later in the year.
In the meantime if you have any questions on this topic, please contact Andrew McKinnon who has assisted many optometrists through similar situations and is more than happy to help.
Regards,
Lara Foster
MAY 12 NEWS: WARNING! Online Contact Lens Companies Approaching Members
We have been made aware that at least one seller of online contact lenses is contacting optometrists to ask if they would become their "provider of record" for online contact lens sales. What this entails is that the optometrist basically 'sells' their provider number to the online contact lens business so that customers can claim a health fund rebate.
We are advising members, in the strongest possible terms, not to become involved in any arrangement of this sort.
The Association is still involved in assisting a member who did enter into exactly this type of arrangement to answer concerns from the HCCC about their behaviour. The legal bills thus far are substantial.
If an online seller wishes to obtain a health fund provider number, they are perfectly entitled to approach the health funds on their own account and seek one. Do not sell them yours!
If you need any more information about this please don’t hesitate to contact Andrew on (02) 9712 2199.
MAY 12 NEWS: Eye Health Screening Morning
The Association hosted an eye health screening morning at Parliament House on Monday 2 April, in conjunction with Glaucoma Aust and the Australian Diabetes Council. Colleagues Amy Hong and Paula Katalinic provided expert advice to the many MPs and staff who attended.
ANDREW STILL TO SUPPLY IMAGE FOR THIS STORY!!!
MAY 12 NEWS: Super Sunday Conference
The registration brochures for the Super Sunday conference on 24 June at Australian Technology Park, Redfern have been mailed to all members. Registrations are already flowing in, with over 180 received thus far. Workshops in particular are filling fast (less than 10 places left in some), so if you want to be part of this very different (and hopefully exciting) CPD experience, please don’t hesitate to contact the office on (02) 9712 2199.
MAY 12 NEWS: CFEH Clinical Guidelines
CFEH has recently begun publishing a series of clinical guidelines for optometrists, the first of which is now available online. This series will provide optometrists with practical information to assist clinical practice. The first topic covered is the NHMRC Guidelines for Glaucoma, which can be found by clicking here.
The most recent Image newsletter from CFEH, focused on Pterygium, is also now available onlinle here.
MAY 12 NEWS: Guide Dogs - Providing Free Services to Help People with Impaired Vision
Many people associate guide dogs with blindness, but few realise it is the white cane that is the most widely used mobility aid among those with impaired vision.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is the leading provider of orientation and mobility services in NSW and the ACT, and has a range of free services to help people with impaired vision get around safely and independently. Take a look at their latest professional newsletter to learn more about these services and how you can refer your clients for a confidential assessment.
MAY 12 NEWS: SCAM ALERT
A company called Workplace Accidents Safety Compliance Pty Ltd is sending out pro-forma invoices for $69.95 to businesses around the state. They claim that it is for compulsory workplace safety information. It isn’t – you’ll receive some worthless paper and have wasted $70 of your hard earned money. Throw it in the bin!
MAY 12 NEWS: Industry Events Calendar
Click here to be taken to our Industry-wide Events Calendar, updating you on optometric events happening throughout the coming year.
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