Continuous Quality Improvement

Timing of the first antenatal visit – best before 11 weeks gestation.

Regular antenatal care, and especially that starting in the first trimester, is associated with less pregnancy-related complications and with positive maternal and child health outcomes.

Proportion of Aboriginal Babies born in the last 12 months, whose mother accessed the health care service before the 11th week of the pregnancy.

Child Health Assessments 0 to 4 years old

A regular health check/Assessment is important to help identifying illness, chronic conditions and vison, hearing, growth and developmental issues. It is recommended this be done at least every 12 months. It is much easier to prevent a problem and if detected, to treat it early.

Proportion of Child Health Assessments that have been done for 0 to 4 year old Aboriginal clients in the last 12 months.

Clients who are immunised against influenza

Aboriginal people are at greater risk of influenza and its complications than non-Aboriginal people of the same age, and influenza vaccination can prevent complications such as pneumonia requiring hospitalisation, miscarriage or even death in clients.

Proportion of regular Aboriginal clients aged 6 months and over who are immunised against influenza in the last 12 months.

Female clients who have had a cervical screening (HPV) test

Aboriginal people are more likely to die from cancer than non-Aboriginal people. Testing can reveal abnormalities that can be treated before they turn into cervical cancer, resulting in fewer deaths and improved quality of life.

Proportion of female regular Aboriginal clients aged 25 to 74, who have not had a hysterectomy and who have had a cervical screening (human papillomavirus (HPV)) test within the previous 5 years.

Aboriginal Clients age 35 to 74 years old, without Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) who have had the necessary tests and have had an assessment for cardiovascular risk.

CVD includes a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. By knowing which clients are at risk of CVD disease, the health provider can intervene and help reduce their risk of CVD, including heart attack and stroke.

Proportion of regular Aboriginal clients with no known cardiovascular disease (CVD), aged 35 to 74, with information available to calculate their absolute CVD risk.

Aboriginal clients with Type 2 Diabetes or Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) who have been tested and assessed for kidney disease in the last 12 months

Diabetes and CVD can damage the kidneys. If kidney disease is diagnosed early, appropriate treatment can be given to reduce the chances of disease progression. A screening test includes an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) AND an albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR). Guidelines recommend this be done every 12 months.

Proportion of regular clients who are Aboriginal, aged 18 and over, who are recorded as having type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD) and who had an eGFR and ACR done in the last 12 months.

Aboriginal clients with type 2 Diabetes who have had an HbA1c test in the last 12 months

Type 2 diabetes is a silent and progressive condition which can lead to serious complications if not well managed. The HbA1c (haemoglobin A1c or glycated haemoglobin) blood test gives an indication of whether blood glucose levels have been higher than normal over the preceding 6–8 weeks. People who have diabetes need this test regularly to see if their levels are staying within range and whether they need to adjust their diabetes management.