SOP Bulletin No. 52

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

13 September 2001

THE FOLLOWING RMA SOPS ARE TO BE GAZETTED ON 19 September, 2001

IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL FEATURES

• A new SOP, developed following a formal investigation into neuropathy.  Claims held up pending the outcome of that investigation can now be processed.
• The SOP does not cover all peripheral neuropathies.  Not covered are nerve root disorders (e.g. sciatica), single nerve disorders and disorders of cranial nerves (e.g. Bell's palsy).  Some specific peripheral neuropathies are covered by separate SOPs, i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. 
• The SOP factors are numerous and complex, with a number of general factors (notably alcohol and diabetes) and a number applying only to specific sub-types of peripheral neuropathy. 
• Precise diagnostic information will generally be needed to determine whether the SOP applies, and in some instances whether specific sub-factors apply.  The diagnostic protocol (in CCPS soon) will contain full details.  A diagnostic report will also be available.  Obtain medical advice if in doubt about the precise diagnosis or whether a claimed condition is covered by the SOP.

• The reasonable hypothesis SOP contains new causal factors for smoking and serious electrical injury.  The BOP SOP has only an “inability to obtain appropriate clinical management” factor, as before.

• This revocation finalises a formal investigation.  There are minor changes to the definition, but no change in coverage.  The SOP factors are unchanged.

• There are a number of new causal factors, most notably for treatment with corticosteroids.  The other new factors are for: endogenous hypercortisolism; Graves' disease; hypothyroidism; elevated episcleral venous pressure; and retinal detachment.
• The definition accompanying the “significant trauma” factor has been changed, with removal of the reference to radiation.  There is now a separate factor for therapeutic radiation.
• The other factors are essentially as before.

• Another finalised formal investigation.  There are changes to the definition that have no operational effect.  The SOP has only an “inability to obtain appropriate clinical management” factor, as before.

• This old SOP has been updated in format and wording, with some alterations particularly to time frames and definitions.
• Factors previously applying only to “malignant otitis externa” (diabetes and immuno-compromise) now apply to otitis externa generally.
• There is a new factor for obstruction of the ear canal.  This factor incorporates the previous Herpes infection/inflammation factor.

• The definition now specifies a need for histological evidence.  This requires endoscopy (gastroscopy) and biopsy, but as this is done routinely in establishing the diagnosis, this change will have little if any impact.
• There is a new factor for infection with Helicobacter heilmannii.  This is a rare cause of gastritis.  The organism can be transmitted to humans via contact with cats, dogs and pigs.

• Another formal investigation.  There is an updated definition, having no operational effect, and no change to the factors (“inability to obtain appropriate clinical management” only).

Remember!

If you are having any problems with SOPs, or SOPs in CCPS

TALK TO US!

Find us on the Intranet: http://intranet/nat/comp/dp/Nop/dsu/dsudefault.htm

# It's a neuron.