Quality Use of Pathology
Quality Use of Pathology Program (QUPP)
The goal of the Quality Use of Pathology Program is to achieve improvement in health and economic outcomes from the use of pathology in health care, through the pursuit of better practice amongst requesters (or referrers) and providers of pathology services and knowledgeable and engaged consumers
Background
The Quality Use of Pathology Program (QUPP) was established in 1999 under the pathology Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between pathology stakeholders and the Australian Government. The Australian Government is represented by the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department). Under the original MoU the objectives of the QUPP were to improve patient care through enhancing the quality of pathology services and the appropriate use of services.There has been a continued commitment by the Government to the QUPP in the Pathology Funding Agreement signed with pathology stakeholders in April 2011.
Purpose of the QUPP
The goal of the Quality Use of Pathology Program is to achieve improvement in health and economic outcomes from the use of pathology in health care, through the pursuit of better practice amongst requesters (or referrers) and providers of pathology services and knowledgeable and engaged consumers.The Quality Use of Pathology Program has three sub-programs and objectives:
- Quality Consumer Services: To develop and improve consumer-focussed, accessible and coordinated services that promote informed choice and meet consumer needs.
- Quality Referrals (Requesting or Ordering): To support referral practices that are informed and facilitated by best practice professional relationships and protocols between referrers and providers; that:
- are informed by evidence
- maximise health benefits, and
- inform and engage consumers.
- Quality Pathology Practice: To support professional practice standards that meet consumer and referrer needs and provide evidence-based, best practice, quality-assured services that are safe, cost effective and efficient.
- The QUPP has been guided by the Quality Use of Pathology Committee comprising nominees from peak pathology bodies, medical practitioners, tertiary education, consumers and representatives from the Department.
QUPC Secretariat
Quality Pathology Section
Department of Health and Ageing
(MDP 951)
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6289 3335
Fax: 02 6289 4028
Email: Quality Use of Pathology Program
