Since 1 December 2017, the new Australian National Cervical Cancer Screening program mandates by Federal law that gynaecologists submit data about colposcopies to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).
SurgicalPerformance modified its data fields to be consistent with the data fields implemented in the NCSR, which is operated by Telstra Health.
SurgcialPerformance users can opt into this service for their colposcopy entries and therefore fulfil their legal obligations requirement.
Here we address some of the questions we’ve been receiving from our users recently:
1. Should colposcopy data prior to 1 DEC 2017 submitted to the NCSR?
No. Only Colposcopies performed in Australia on or after 01 Dec 2017 are eligible for entry into NCSR.
2. I do most colposcopies in my rooms. Do I need to register my rooms as an institution?
Yes, entering data into SurgicalPerformance requires a practice location because all outcomes will be presented by practice location.
Once you are logged intoSurgicalPerformance, you go to your profile (top left of the screen) select “Locations”, start typing "private rooms" and then select the one that is within your state.
3. How can I physically submit data to the NCSR through SurgicalPerformance?
It is the health practitioner’s responsibility to complete the record within the colposcopy module. Users can either instantly generate the NCSR report from the bottom of that page, or save and generate it at a later date.
To do it later, simply click on the colposcopy records, find the case you wish to report on. Click on the little 3 dots at the end of the row and click NCSR report. Then a window will open that will require you to provide information on the patient and yourself. The information about yourself can be saved so that you don’t need to enter that every time. Information about the patient and the colposcopist are mandatory.
Once that information is entered you click “Generate "PDF". It will automatically download to your computer. If it doesn't automatically open - check your downloads folder. You can then print it and either fax it or post it to the locations listed on the form.
4. What options other than SurgicalPerformance do I have to submit my colposcopy data to the NCSR?
If you are not a SurgicalPerformance Premium user, you can download the Colposcopy and Treatment form from this website, complete it by hand and submit it in a method similar to the above.
5. What is the advantage of submitting colposcopy data through SurgicalPerformance?
There are two major advantages:
a. Apart from being compliant with legislation, you will also have full electronic access to your colposcopy procedures and treatment outcomes. These outcomes are available 24/7 and users of SurgicalPerformance will be able to compare themselves with other users in Australia while full confidentiality is maintained. You will also earn CPD points.
b. For medical practitioners and their staff who are used to a paperless administration, it will be quicker to complete these forms electronically rather than by hand.
Should you have any further questions or require any support, please contact us via the little speech bubble on the bottom left of your screen, email [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] – available 24/7.