Reference: 2012-010 - Audit of ear health outcomes in the Fitzroy Valley

Researchers: Dr Amanda Thomas, Dr Carole Reeve (Kimberley Population Health Unit)

Funding:

Project summary: Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) conditions represent a significant health concern for Australia’s Indigenous population, especially in rural and remote areas. Service provision of ENT specialists in the Kimberley region is limited for multiple reasons, and every effort must be made to maximise specialist time when they are available in the region.

In 2010, an audit was performed on ENT referral letters to determine what clinical information was provided to the visiting ENT surgeons and what initial management plan had been implemented. It was found that limited information was conveyed to the specialists, so despite long waiting times, it was not possible to triage referred cases(1). Following this study, an electronic referral template was implemented to ensure adequate referral information was conveyed. Telehealth sessions were also conducted to minimise waiting times for scheduled visits.

This audit aims to review the new referral process, the wait-list times for specialist review and surgery, and again review the management of each individual case, now that these new processes have been implemented.

Progress: Completed in 2013