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The Statements of Principles Monitoring, Aetiology and CCPS Commentary Unit |
4th floor AMP Place, 10 Eagle St Brisbane Qld 4000.
Facsimile: 07 3223 8722.
Bob Connolly |
07 3223 8325 (Manager, Brisbane) |
Dr Bev Grehan |
07 3223 8376 |
Maureen Anderson |
08 8290 0365 (Manager, Adelaide) |
Dr Jon Kelley |
07 3223 8412 |
Duncan Cape |
07 3223 8757 |
Sue Lee |
08 8290 0227 |
Gaynor Cavanagh |
07 3223 8331 |
Bernadette McCabe |
07 3223 8393 |
SOP BULLETIN # 15 |
7 September, 1998
THE FOLLOWING RMA SOPS ARE TO BE GAZETTED ON 9 SEPTEMBER 1998
New SOPs |
nil |
Revocations & Determinations |
cervical spondylosis thoracic spondylosis lumbar spondylosis depressive disorder pterygium refractive error (revocation) myopia, hypermetropia & astigmatism (determination) |
Amendments |
nil |
IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL FEATURES
PTERYGIUM |
Revocation - 60 & 61 of 1998 (replaces 253 & 254 of '95) |
The previous SOP had only one factor, which was inability to obtain appropriate clinical management. Two new factors have been added - solar UV damage and heavy exposure of the eyes to dust.
MYOPIA, HYPERMETROPIA AND ASTIGMATISM |
Revocation - 62 & 63 of 1998 (replaces refractive error - 294 & 295 of '95) |
THERE HAVE BEEN MAJOR CHANGES TO THIS SOP.
- This SOP now covers myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism only. Anisometropia and aniseikonia are no longer covered and are now non SOP conditions.
- The non specific code for unspecified refractive error has been removed from the SOP as it is essential that the type of refractive error be identified. The unspecified code 367.9 for refractive error should never be used.
- If the veteran has more than one type of refractive error each type must be coded and determined separately. If feasible the CCPS rulebase will be altered to enable all three conditions to be determined through a single entry, however until and unless this is done conditions such as myopic astigmatism will need to be coded and determined as two separate conditions ie. astigmatism and myopia.
- Previously there were no factors for myopia now there are five, previously there was one factor for hypermetropia now there are three and for astigmatism there were three factors and now there are six.
DEPRESSIVE DISORDER |
Revocation - 58 & 59 of 1998 (replaces 181 and 182 of '96) |
Major depressive disorder, single episode was not covered in the previous SOP but is now included.
The definition of depressive disorder has been changed to fully cover all types of depressive disorder covered by the SOP.
A new factor has been added “suffering chronic pain of at least six months duration at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder”.
The factor “ having a psychiatric condition ...” has been altered to “having a clinically significant psychiatric condition ...”
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS |
Revocation - 56 & 57 of 1998 (replaces 161 & 162 of '96) |
The definition of inflammatory joint disease has been changed such that this factor now applies only to five specified inflammatory conditions.
A factor has been added for septic arthritis.
A factor has been added to cover exposure to positive G forces whilst flying in an aircraft. G forces are defined as 2G or greater; acute signs and symptoms must result within 24 hours and last for at least 7 days (10 days for BOP).
In the BOP SOP only, where there has been trauma to the cervical spine this must now have occurred within 25 years of the onset of cervical spondylosis.
In the previous SOP there were only two worsening factors, in the new SOP there are six, that is for all the primary factors except for POWs and G forces.
THORACIC SPONDYLOSIS |
Revocation - 54 & 55 of 1998 (replaces 163 & 164 of '96) |
LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS |
Revocation - 52 & 53 of 1998 (replaces 165 & 166 of '96) |
Similar changes have been made to both these spondylosis SOPs. The comments which follow are relevant to both SOPs.
- The definition of inflammatory joint disease has been changed such that this factor now applies only to five specified inflammatory conditions.
- A factor has been added for septic arthritis.
- A new factor has been added that covers being occupationally required to undertake continuous heavy physical activity for at least ten years before the clinical onset (or clinical worsening) of the spondylosis. For BOP only, the clinical worsening must have occurred within the 25 years immediately following such activity.
- In the BOP SOP only, where there has been trauma to the relevant section of the spine this must now have occurred within 25 years of the onset of spondylosis.
HYPERTENSION |
Revocation - 64 & 65 of 1998 (replaces 83 and 84 of '95) |
The definition for hypertension has been changed to specifically exclude temporary changes in blood pressure.
Alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse must involve consumption, on average, of at least 200gm (300gm BOP) of alcohol per week.
The salt factor now refers to salt supplements rather than additional salt.
The SOP now has fewer factors as many of the previous factors have been combined, for example the new factor “suffering from a chronic renal parenchymal disease or injury includes seven factors from the previous SOP.
If you are having any problems with SOPs, including if you think a SOP needs to be changed, talk to us!