Evaluating a safety and efficacy protocol of a COVID-19 respiratory clinic
Project Details
The Department of General Practice and Primary Care was commissioned to evaluate the safety, acceptability and costs of the Altona North Respiratory Clinic (ANRC), one of Australia’s first general practice–led respiratory clinics established in response to COVID-19. The clinic operates within an existing general practice setting and was developed alongside a drive-through testing clinic.
This project examines how a general practice–led model can deliver safe, patient-centred respiratory care during a pandemic, and what resources are required to establish and sustain such a service.
Patron ID: PAT032
Project Lead:
A/Prof Jo-Anne Mansk-Nankervis
Dr Ruby Biezen
Overview:
Patient level data that has been recorded in a patient’s EMR by the respiratory clinic staff will be analysed to determine the number of patients assessed, the number of swabs taken and the proportion of swabs that return positive results for COVID-19.
Collected data will include patient age, gender, temperature, symptoms and information on whether a swab was taken or not. This patient data will be de-identified and extracted from the clinic electronic medical record where it will be stored in the secure Data for Decisions data repository.
Approach:
We used a mixed-methods evaluation including:
- On-site observations and document review to assess safety and clinic processes
- Costing analysis of the resources required to establish and run the clinic
- Interviews with staff and stakeholders to explore acceptability and feasibility
Key Features of the model
- GP-led care within an established general practice structure
- Multi-stage triage and separate respiratory consultation and testing spaces
- Use of clinical health assistants in flexible roles (reception, scribe, health assistant)
- Remotely scribed consultation notes to reduce infection risk
- Dedicated, streamlined general practice software system
- Structured follow-up of patients with test results and advice
Patient feedback highlighted strong communication, infection control, organisation, professionalism and quality of care. Suggested improvements focused on clearer directions to the clinic and reducing waiting times.
Researchers:
Prof Anthony D (Tony) LaMontagne
Ms Rhea Martin
Dr Karyn Alexander
Dr Tim Monaghan
Dr Katherine Gibney
Dr Jemimah Ride
Mr Patrick Abraham
Prof Douglas Boyle
Dr Christine Hallinan
Dr Elsa Barton
Ms Kaleswari Somasundaram
Collaborators
- Altona North Medical Group
- North Altona Health Hub
- Cirqit Health
Funding
Commissioned evaluation funded by Australian Government COVID-19 response funding to Circle Health (Altona North Respiratory Clinic and DTTC)
Research Outcomes
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Circle Health received federal government funding to establish a general practice–led respiratory clinic and trial a novel drive-through testing clinic (DTTC). Service delivery is provided by Altona North Medical Group, with implementation and logistics supported by Cirqit Health. Both services operate under the broader Altona North Respiratory Clinic (ANRC) model, sharing processes, staffing and equipment. They diverge at the final stage of the patient journey: Respiratory Clinic patients enter a demountable clinic for assessment, while DTTC patients remain in their vehicles for testing.
This patient-centred model uses a stepped approach to care. All patients receive clinical evaluation prior to being directed either to the DTTC or to the Respiratory Clinic for further assessment if they are unwell or require targeted examination. This study focuses on the safety and acceptability of the Respiratory Clinic.
Patient feedback on the Respiratory Clinic was generally very positive. Respondents highlighted communication, infection control, organisation, professionalism and quality of care as key strengths. Suggested improvements included clearer directions to the clinic and reduced waiting times.
Research Publications
Abraham, P., Manski-Nankervis, JA., Biezen, R. et al. Costing of an Australian general practice COVID-19 drive-through testing and respiratory clinic. BMC Prim. Care 23, 58 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01664-4