SOP Bulletin No. 73

4 — th Floor AMP Place, 10 Eagle St Brisbane  3 — rd Floor Blackburn House, 199 Grenfell St Adelaide

Intranet site:  http://intranet/nat/comp/dp/Nop/dsu/dsudefault.htm

6 June 2003

THE FOLLOWING RMA SOPS ARE TO BE GAZETTED ON 11 June, 2003

IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL FEATURES

There are minor changes to the definition, to now include diagnosis by cytogenetic analysis and molecular analysis.

The factor for occupational exposure to external ionising radiation has been removed from both the RH & BOP SOPs.

The smoking factor has been removed from the BOP SOP.

The atomic radiation factor uses the new wording and is now in both SOPs (previously RH only) with doses of 0.01 Sv RH/0.1 Sv BOP.  There is now a latency period of two years for both SOPs, and there is a cessation period of 40 years for the BOP SOP.

In the BOP SOP, the latency period in the therapeutic radiation factor is now one year (previously 5 years), and there is a cessation period of 40 years.

The definition has been changed to specifically exclude carcinoid tumour.

There are new factors for atomic radiation in both SOPs with doses of 0.05 Sv RH and 0.5 Sv BOP, with a latency period of five years in both SOPs.

There is a new factor for organ transplant from a donor with malignant neoplasm of the brain in the RH SOP only.

The HIV factor has been removed from the BOP SOP.

The definition has been reworded without a change in meaning.

The previous cardiac disease factor has been replaced in each SOP by 6 new factors, each for a specific cardiac disease.  These factors are for valvular heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease and congestive heart failure.  In the RH SOP only, myocarditis and congestive cardiac failure may now occur within the 30 days immediately before the clinical onset (previously at the time of).

There are new factors in the RH SOP for hypertension, pericarditis, alcohol consumption and undertaking strenuous physical activity.  The alcohol consumption required is 250 kg within a ten year period within the 15 years immediately before the clinical onset.  The physical activity required is for an average of 3hrs per week, for a minimum of 40 weeks per year, for at least 5 consecutive years. .  Strenuous physical activity is measured by METS and equates to activities such as competitive cycling, competitive swimming and running at approximately 7 mph.

The thyrotoxicosis factor previously in both SOPs has been replaced by hyperthyroidism, which includes both thyrotoxicosis and subclinical hyperthyroidism.

There are new factors in both SOPs for cardiac or thoracic surgery, chronic bronchitis with pulmonary obstruction, and emphysema.  The surgical factor is the only replacement for the “acute trauma to the myocardium” which was included in the definition of the old cardiac disease factor.

There is a change to the definition which now includes endoscopic findings as evidence of chronic sinusitis.

The mechanical obstruction factor has been reworded and now refers to impaired drainage of the sinus, with an associated definition.

For RH only, there is a new causal and worsening smoking factor.  This requires smoking ten cigarettes per day or the equivalent thereof, and having smoked at least one pack year of cigarettes or the equivalent there of, at the time of the clinical onset or worsening.

There are five new causal and worsening factors which are in both SOPs.  The first is diabetes for chronic invasive fungal sinusitis only.  The second is a specified dental condition (with associated definition) for chronic sinusitis affecting the maxillary sinus only.

The third is for inhaling one of the specified substances (with an associated definition), and requires both acute upper respiratory symptoms or signs within 48 hours and scarring or erosion of the nasal or sinus mucosa.

The final two are for allergic rhinitis and sinus barotrauma.

There is a new causal only factor for therapeutic radiation in both the RH and the BOP SOP.

The set out of the definition has been changed, and the requirement for demonstrated difficulty in completing mental tasks has been removed.

The Epstein-Barr virus infection factor now requires the infection to be symptomatic.

For the purposes of this SOP, Ross river virus infection is defined as a clinical illness accompanied by serological evidence of recently acquired Ross river virus infection.

There is a new causal factor in both SOPs for Coxiella burnetti (Q fever) infection.  The associated definition defines a clinical illness compatible with Q fever accompanied by serological evidence of recently required Coxiella burnetti infection.

Remember! If you are having any problems with SOPs, or SOPs in CCPS, talk to us!