POLAR data tool
Population Level Analysis and Reporting (POLAR) is a free, web-based business intelligence tool for general practice. It extracts data from your practice software to support quality improvement and business development, with the ultimate goal of providing better patient-centred care.
On this page:
About POLAR
POLAR is free to all general practices in the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) region. Using data from your clinical and billing software, POLAR can assist your practice to:
- Meet quality improvement requirements under the Practice Incentives Program (PIP QI).
- Identify patient eligibility for health assessments, care plans, team care arrangements and reviews, and mental health treatment plans.
- Recall patients for immunisations, screening tests and other preventative health items.
- Streamline business processes, including practice accreditation, through improved data quality and records.
- Improve patient outcomes.
As part of this free service, you must agree to provide EMPHN with de-identified practice data. This data helps us to identify system gaps and work towards developing better services for the community.
More information on POLAR
Read the Outcome Health POLAR FAQs
Getting started
1. Check that POLAR is compatible with your practice software.
| Practice software | Compatible with POLAR |
|---|---|
| Medical Director | Yes |
| Best Practice | Yes |
| Zedmed | Yes |
2. Request POLAR by emailing digitalhealth@emphn.org.au and ask that a POLAR License Agreement be sent to you.
3. You can request a demonstration by contacting the team at digitalhealth@emphn.org.au.
Walrus
Walrus is a free point-of-care support tool that can be downloaded from the POLAR program. It can be customised to provide GPs and practice nurses with prompts about missing or incomplete data, including MBS items, PIP QI measures and risk score information.
Walrus introduction video
Walrus setup and use video
Introducing Walrus flyer
Practice Data Quality Report
Reports are sent to all practices quarterly, please contact EMPHN to request a hard copy of your Practice Data Quality Report at: digitalhealth@emphn.org.au. Practices can also request reports for other months if required by emailing digitalhealth@emphn.org.au.
This report demonstrates practice performance against benchmarks, which can lead to better patient outcomes and identification of areas for improvement.
Polar Demo Practice Report Data Quality
Practice Report Data Quality Guide
Interpreting your EMPHN POLAR Practice Report
Practice resources
Explore the resources below for more information on implementing POLAR in your practice.
Privacy and security
Data security fact sheet
Download PDF [264.64 kb]
Data Security and Privacy Information
Download PDF [329.1 kb]
Privacy Policy (Outcome Health)
Download PDF [26.58 kb]
Secondary Use of General Practice Data (RACGP)
Download PDF [674.72 kb]
Business and income modelling
Business modelling guide
Download PDF [561.99 kb]
Business modelling spreadsheet (excel)
Download [19.69 kb]
Practice training
EMPHN has developed an extensive range of free training resources to help your practice get the most out of POLAR. All videos can be accessed via the EMPHN YouTube channel.
Getting started
Introducing POLAR
How to access POLAR
Managing users in POLAR
Applying filters
Applying filters in POLAR
Applying filters within Excel to sort data
Exporting, formatting and printing POLAR patient lists within Excel
Data management
Education portal and data mapping
Opting patients out of POLAR
Reports
Education portal and data mapping
Opting patients out of POLAR
Introduction to POLAR reports
Cardiovascular Disease
Clinical Indicators
Diabetes Quality Improvement Activities
Health Assessments
Hospitalisation Risk
MBS Care Plans
Practice Incentive Program Quality Improvement (PIP QI)
Hospitalisation Risk (Outcome Health)
Practice support
Explore the resources below for more information on common POLAR support topics.
Accounts and passwords
Troubleshooting
POLAR Clinic Summary Quick-Reference Guide
POLAR Hummingbird Troubleshooting Guide
Walrus Troubleshooting Guide
Browse the POLAR Help dropdown menu (see image).
If you require technical assistance for POLAR, please contact the Digital Health Team at digitalhealth@emphn.org.au.
Walkthrough instructions
Select the arrow to view topics:
Health Assessments
Patients eligible for a Health Assessment – 75+ year old
Download PDF [487.57 kb]
Patients eligible for an Indigenous Health Assessment
Download PDF [499.64 kb]
Plans and reviews
Patients eligible for a General Practitioner Management Plan (GPMP) or GPMP review
Download PDF [700.45 kb]
Patients eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan
Download PDF [696.66 kb]
Practice support
Exporting patient lists from Excel
Download PDF [4.94 mb]
Installing and setting up Walrus
Download PDF [292.21 kb]
SMS broadcasting
Download PDF [118.3 kb]
Cardiovascular risk factors
Patients eligible for a Heart Health Check
Download PDF [503.75 kb]
Diabetes management
Patients with incorrect diabetes coding
Download PDF [493.48 kb]
Patients with no HbA1c recorded in the last 12 months
Download PDF [529.2 kb]
Vaccination
Flu vaccine trends (to predict stock levels)
Download PDF [555.83 kb]
Patients eligible for a flu vaccine
Download PDF [758.19 kb]
Patients eligible for a Government-funded flu vaccine
Download PDF [507.96 kb]
Patients eligible for a Government-funded Zostavax vaccine
Download PDF [577.3 kb]
Tracking free flu vaccines
Download PDF [655.04 kb]
Digital Remote Support Service
Our Digital Remote Support Service is able to connect you with a member of the EMPHN Digital Health Team by request who will be able to remotely access your computer to provide immediate technical assistance via the TeamViewer platform.
Contact the team at digitalhealth@emphn.org.au, and they will direct you to access the Digital Remote support via teamviewer.
Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) activities can be found on our Quality Improvement (QI) page
