E-referrals can now be made to Audika using Clanwilliam Health’s CareSelect service.

For more than 100 years, Audika (formerly Hearing Life) has been helping people with hearing loss get their lives back, and the new referral process will enhance its services, says Diem Smith, Clinician and Audika’s Group Clinical & Sales Trainer NZ.

Mrs Smith, an audiologist, says Audika was founded in 1904 in Denmark by Hans Demant who was determined to help his wife Camilla, who had hearing loss, lead a better life.

“That foundation of care carries on today in Audika’s 30 clinics located around New Zealand. We are passionate about helping people hear better and get their lives back,” Mrs Smith says.

“We aim to provide excellent hearing care to all our patients.”

Audika offers full adult diagnostic hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings, as well as providing the service to some children at designated clinics.

“We have ACC accredited clinicians who are able to see noise-induced/head trauma claimants and Veterans’ Affairs claimants. Our clinicians are also able to access the Ministry of Health’s hearing aid funding and subsidy schemes on behalf of patients.”

Helping patients reconnect

Mrs Smith says denial is the main reason many people with hearing loss do nothing about it, and it’s often a loved one or companion who notices the hearing loss first.

“It can get to the point where a person’s quality of life is affected if they can’t hear properly. Relationships can break down. If they can’t take part in conversations they withdraw and are isolated, so the sooner they get help, the better.”

She says it’s rewarding to help patients reconnect with the world again.

“It’s a fantastic feeling knowing you’ve made a difference to someone’s life when they get their hearing back and are participating with their family, friends and colleagues again,” she says.

“While the majority of our patients are older, we’re seeing more younger people with hearing loss due to recreational noise exposure from things like attending concerts or using personal listening devices with the volume up too loud.”

Ear wax removal service

Mrs Smith says some Audika clinics now offer ear wax removal by suction.

“Qualified ear wax removal nurses are hard to find so we’re proud to be able to offer this service carried out by our clinicians who have been trained up on how to do it.”

She says for more complex cases, they will still refer patients to a qualified ear wax removal nurse.

“As a healthcare provider, people can be assured that Audika has introduced a range of measures to ensure the safety of both our patients and staff.”

How to refer to Audika:

• open the patient record
• select the HealthLink icon
• use the CareSelect search bar, type “Audika”
• select the local Audika branch
• click “Compose Referral”.

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Stock photo

Having the same nurse visit Jeanette Miller’s home over a two-month period to treat a leg wound helped her recover much faster, the 80-year-old says.

Jeanette seriously grazed her lower right shin after falling on a concrete slab on her way to lunch with her husband in Noumea in October 2019.

The deep wound bled profusely and was treated with disinfectant and dressings. Upon her arrival home to Auckland two days later, Jeanette visited a GP.

After a few visits to the GP, she was asked if she would like some free ACC wound care home visits from a Healthvision NZ nurse to help the wound heal.

“I said yes straight away. I didn’t even know that you could get that type of help, but I’m so glad I did,” Jeanette says.

She describes her Healthvision nurse Pat Mankelow as “wonderful”.

Pat visited Jeanette in the comfort of her own home twice a week over a two-month period, starting at the end of November 2019.

Speedy recovery

Jeanette says the home visits helped speed up her recovery.

“It was nice to have consistency with the same nurse. I had so much confidence because the same person was treating me every time. She was always punctual too.

“She put a lot of thought and care into how to treat my wound and it has healed beautifully. She always told me what she was doing and why in a really clear way,” she says.

“Pat knew so much about wounds and gave me great confidence that it would heal. She was so professional and had all the right equipment to treat the wound.”

Jeanette says she looked forward to Pat’s visits.

“She was such good fun and we got to know each other and build up trust. I miss her visits now.”

She says having her come to her house was convenient.

“It meant I didn’t have to drive or travel anywhere to get to my appointments, which made it so much easier.”

Faster healing outcomes

Healthvision’s national manager of nursing and rehabilitation Julia Morris says having the same registered nurse from the beginning to the end of a patient’s treatment ensures continuity of care and faster healing outcomes.

“Our team of specialist wound care nurses can visit ACC patients in their home, work or school and have access to highly specialised burn and wound dressings, which is all free of charge to patients.”

Julia says if there are any underlying vascular conditions, Healthvision can provide patients with a Doppler assessment and issue two pairs of free compression stockings if necessary.

How to refer to Healthvision:

Healthvision accepts free ACC burn and wound referrals for patients in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch.

E-referrals can be made electronically via Medtech32, Medtech Evolution, MyPractice and indici.

If you’re not sure how, Healthvision can provide free training. Simply call Healthvision on 0508 733 377, email [email protected] or call their relationship manager on 022 5900 125.

If your practice uses Medtech32:

• Open the patient record
• Select the HealthLink icon
• Click on the ACC Burn and Wound Care link currently located at the top of the right column, under ‘Referred Services’