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Technology/Clinical Practice Committee
The function of the committee is to ensure that new technologies and clinical practices at Southern Health are introduced within a rigorous and evidence-based framework. TCPC - Evidence Dissemination ServiceWhat is a new technology or clinical practice?A new technology or clinical practice is defined as a therapeutic intervention (including prostheses; implantable devices; high cost pharmaceuticals; medical, surgical or other clinical procedures) or diagnostic procedure that is considered by a reasonable body of clinical opinion to be significantly different from existing clinical practice. What is the purpose of the Technology/Clinical Practice Committee and how does it operate?The committee oversees and supports clinicians in the safe and appropriate introduction of a technology or clinical practice that has not previously been undertaken at Southern Health. When is an application to the Technology/Clinical Practice Committee required?Applications are required when a new technology or clinical practice that has not been performed at Southern Health is to be introduced. Variations to existing procedures and treatments that involve a new device or item of equipment may also require an application if they are significantly different from existing practice. A 'Change of Use' application is also required when any changes of use to current approved technologies or clinical practices are planned. Applications are not required when a technology or clinical practice is already in practice at Southern Health. However, the clinician should seek advice from the Southern Health Credentialing and Scope of Practice Committee regarding the credentialing requirements to undertake the procedure. What is the application process at Southern Health?The committee meets monthly to review applications. Applications are due two weeks prior to the meeting to allow sufficient time for the application to be reviewed. What resources are available to help with technical aspects of the application process?
Additional resources are provided below to assist the application process: How are decisions made?Decisions are evidence-based, transparent and accountable. The review process includes assessment of:
What applications have been made for the introduction of new technologies and clinical practices?Outcomes of applications made to the committee since 2008 are available in the following Decision Summaries: What applications have been made for the change of use to technologies and clinical practices in current practice?
Change of use applications since 2008 can be found in the attached summaries.
How are new technologies and clinical practices monitored?The committee monitors successful outcomes and adverse events for two years after introduction of a new technology or clinical practice. This information is provided to the Victorian Department of Health. Templates that meet the requirements of the Department of Health have been developed to assist with data collection and reporting. How does a new procedure become standard practice?The committee reviews previously approved applications for reclassification to standard practice. This can take place two years after introduction of the TCP or earlier by request from the relevant Department Head. Which New Technologies/Clinical Practices have been reclassified into Standard Practice at the end of the two year monitoring period?What quality assurance processes are in place?The committee invites ongoing feedback about all systems and processes. A program logic map and evaluation plan were developed to facilitate evaluation of the program. The first Evaluation Report 2008 demonstrates that the program achieved its objectives and represents international best practice. The Evaluation Report 2009 is also provided below. The program won the 2009 Australian Council of Healthcare Standards Quality Improvement Award for Non-Clinical Service Delivery. It was also nominated for the 2009 Victorian Public Healthcare Award for Most Appropriate Care: providing least intrusive and earliest effective care.
Who can provide further information?Please refer any queries or correspondence to the Committee's Executive Officer: Email: anjali.dhulia@southernhealth.org.au
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Published Date: August 26, 2009 Printed from http://www.southernhealth.org.au/page/Health_Professionals/TCPC/ © Southern Health |