To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
Influenza immunisation – annually
Pneumococcal immunisation
Herpes Zoster Vaccine (Shingles) – funded for 70-79 years old
Pertussis – funded for certain cohorts
Falls Risk Factors – Stay on your feet
• Have there been any near misses?
• Review anticholinergic medications and sedatives
• Check sitting and standing blood pressure
• Reduce tripping risks – consider footwear, eyewear, night lighting, other hazards.
• Gait and Balance problems – observe ‘get up and go’ for all patients.
Referral to Falls and Balance clinic https://gcphn.org.au/referrals/falls-balance/
FRAX – Fracture Risk Assessment Tool
• Vitamin D and adequate (or supplemented) calcium should be prescribed for any patients taking osteoporosis medications.
• Loss of height > 3cm merits spine x-ray
• For exercise to improve bone density regular high-intensity resistance training is needed.
Osteoporosis resources
MBS Bone density guidelines
Fracture risk calculator
Osteoporosis Australia – RACGP Guidelines
Chronic Kidney Disease Management Handbook
• Confirm eGFR checked in the last 12 months
• If chronic kidney disease is present, add this as a coded diagnosis.
Polypharmacy Guidance – Medicines Review
• Consider checking for low sodium levels
• Review or complete Geriatric Depression Scale to monitor/manage depression.
Clinical practice guidelines for people with dementia
Geriatric Depression Scale
RACGP The Red Book
Heart Foundation Hypertension Guidelines – observational studies show no mortality benefits of antihypertensive medication in the frail elderly. The standard treatment target for the elderly <150/90.
RACGP Green Book
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