ART and IVF
How do we help your Assistive Reproductive Technology and In Vitro Fertilisation Practice?
Grow your business with a team of clinical and business specialists
and the Clinical Consultancy Pathway™
1. Assess
A comprehensive review of your practice’s current position…
- In person site inspection by a Health Business Solutions team member to review how clinical and operational processes are implemented (mandatory requirement for Australian Safety and Quality Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation)
- Gap Analysis across clinical and operational systems, practice management and reporting processes
- Assessment of information management, cyber security and business continuity practices
- Workforce capability and leadership structure including review of policies, procedures and documents
- Review a sample of patient and staff files to verify current referral and reporting processes
- Analysis of current governance, risk and compliance practices
- Alignment of clinical practice against evidence-based guidelines
- Information governance including secure reporting to referrer and entries to My Health Record
The purpose of the initial assessment is to establish a clear understanding of the practice alignment with the mandatory standards required to continue Medicare billing.
2. Align
Clarify goals, regulatory obligations, and strategic priorities…
- Radiation Safety requirements – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
- Accreditation pathway – Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
- Compliance with the radiology practice Strategic Plan
- Compliance with other regulatory obligations and mandatory standards
- Contract management and legal requirements
The purpose of the alignment process is to ensure that your radiology practice’s compliance and regulatory needs and operational goals are fully aligned across each jurisdiction in Australia so that you can bill Medicare for eligible procedures.
3. Design
Co-design tailored solutions and action plan…
- Clinical protocols aligned to evidence-based practice for radiology modalities
- Cyber security controls and protocols
- Business and clinical governance and reporting processes
- Effective information management for patients, referrers and contractors
- Equipment maintenance and calibration schedules
- Medication safety and anaesthesia processes
- Patient deterioration and clinical emergency pathways
- Workflow optimisation plans
- Business continuity and disaster recovery procedures
The purpose of the design process is to ensure that your radiology practice has completed an accreditation audit which is a mandatory requirement in Australia so that you can bill Medicare for eligible procedures. A practice specific action plan is developed to ensure your radiology practice is ready for future mandatory audits.
4. Implement
Put the co-designed solutions into action…
- Update staff knowledge on clinical processes
- Develop a cyber security action plan
- Implement processes for data governance
- Create a secure transfer of referrals and reports
- Update workflows
- Leadership coaching and clinical team support
- Clinical procedures update to include medication management, patient deterioration protocols and demonstrate use of evidence informed practice in all aspects of service including reporting and interventional radiology
The purpose of the implementation process is to ensure that your radiology practice can continue to operate within all of the mandatory requirements in Australia so that you can bill Medicare for eligible procedures. A practice specific approach ensures that leaders and team members adopt the required clinical processes.
5. Verify
Ensure compliance, quality, and performance goals are achieved…
- Testing the implementation of processes in your radiology practice prior to the accreditation audit
- Mock audits and pre audit checks
- Develop corrective action plans
- Check equipment lifecycle management plans
- Review all governance requirements
- Business continuity and disaster recovery testing
- Cyber security implementation
The purpose of the verification process is to ensure that your radiology practice’s audit preparation can stand the test of a live audit and meet the regulatory standards within all of the mandatory requirements in Australia so that you can bill Medicare for eligible procedures. Any final gaps can be included in a practice specific verification plan.
6. Support
Provide ongoing advisory and continuous improvement services…
- Assistance with unannounced audit visits
- Quarterly advisory services updating you on changes in radiology accreditation and legislative changes
- Risk and compliance monitoring
- Strategic planning refresh
- Support for new services, expansions or leadership changes
The purpose of the support process is to ensure that your radiology practice can remain within all accreditation, regulatory standards and mandatory requirements in Australia so that you can bill Medicare for eligible procedures. Keeping you abreast of any changes means that you can focus on your service provision and strategic goals.
ART and IVF Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
How do radiology practices apply for licensing with each state or territory's Department of Health in Australia?
Each radiology practice needs to complete a formal application and submit it to the relevant state or territory Department of Health and this must be completed before commencing any radiology services.
How do you apply for a Location Specific Practice Number (LSPN) so that the radiology practice can bill Medicare?
Prior to commencing radiology services, a new site or clinic must apply for a Location Specific Practice Number (LSPN) and this is required for each radiology practice site or clinic. Health Business Solutions can apply for and maintain the currency of your LSPN on your behalf.
What happens if any of the radiology services change within a radiology practice?
If any of the services within the radiology practice change, the relevant state or territory Department of Health must be notified immediately and directly.
What is required to maintain billing to Medicare for a radiology practice?
To maintain billing to Medicare, the radiology practice must be formally accredited via an independent review.
What is the current accreditation scheme in Australia for a radiology practice?
Radiology services are transitioning from the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) Standard to the National Safety and Quality Medical Imaging (NSQMI) Standards. An audit is conducted to check compliance against the standards, and the audit includes a mandatory site inspection conducted by an auditor from an independent accrediting agency.
Who are the independent accreditation agencies that can provide an accreditation audit for a radiology practice?
The current independent accreditation agencies that can provide an audit for a radiology practice include: IHDAA Australia Pty Ltd, National Association for Testing Authorities and Quality Innovation Performance QIP Ltd. Health Business Solutions can help your practice select the most relevant agency for your radiology practice.
What is included in an application to an independent accreditation agency for an accreditation audit for a radiology practice?
The application to an independent accreditation agency includes the size and scope of the radiology practice. The independent accrediting agency will conduct an assessment against the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) Standard but you also need to be aware that future accreditations will be against the National Safety and Quality Medical Imaging (NSQMI) Standards. Health Business Solutions can help your radiology practice prepare the application.
What are the mandatory requirements for the National Safety and Quality Medical Imaging Standards Accreditation in Australia?
A mandatory requirement for the National Safety and Quality Medical Imaging Standards Accreditation is an in person site inspection that reviews how clinical and operational processes are implemented. This in person site inspection can be conducted by a team member from Health Business Solutions.
How is radiation usage regulated in Australia?
Radiation usage is regulated in Australia by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
Where are Radiation Management Plans (in accordance with ARPANSA guidelines) submitted?
Radiation Management Plans must be submitted to the relevant state or territory agency and be in accordance with ARPANSA guidelines. The agency will then confirm the radiation usage guides. The responsible agency is not always the Department of Health. For example, in Victoria and Queensland, the Department of Health monitors radiation safety, but in New South Wales and South Australia it is the Environmental Protection Agency EPA and Western Australia uses the Radiological Council of WA. Health Business Solutions can ensure your radiology practice submits the relevant Radiation Management Plans correctly.
What should be included in a Radiation Management Plan?
A Radiation Management Plan is a mandatory document that outlines how a radiology practice:
- identifies radiation hazards
- manages risks
- implements safety measures
- protects people and the environment when using radiation sources
It must also include hazard identification, risk controls, staff training, equipment details, incident response procedures, and compliance with relevant regulations.
Health Business Solutions can help prepare your Radiation Management Plan and ensure that it is written specifically for each individual radiology practice.
Health Business Solutions can also ensure that the Radiation Management Plan is reviewed by a medical physicist.
What happens after an independent accreditation audit is completed?
After an independent accreditation audit is completed, there may be unannounced audit visits, so it is essential to maintain the systems within your radiology practice.
How often are accreditation audits completed?
Accreditation audits for radiology practices are scheduled mid cycle every eighteen months and re-certification audits occur every three years.
Would you like us to help you?
We welcome an initial complimentary discussion to discuss how we can assist you or you can request a quote…