Clinical Practice Resources

The Statements and Guidelines expressed as endorsed on this website have been endorsed as general documents, appropriate having regard to the general circumstances to which they apply at the time of their endorsement. It is the responsibility of the user to have express regard to the particular circumstances of each case, and the application of the Statements and Guidelines in each case.

GESA’s endorsement is applicable at the time at which the endorsement is expressed. The Statements and Guidelines, developed by third parties, may be reviewed and updated from time to time. GESA does not necessarily take responsibility for reviewing its endorsements, and it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that they have obtained the current version, or are aware of more recent or more appropriate Statements and Guidelines.

The Statements and Guidelines have been prepared having regard to the information available at the time of their preparation (and applicable at the time of GESA’s endorsement), and the user should therefore have regard to any information, research or other material which may have been published or become available subsequently. GESA takes no responsibility in this case.

Whilst GESA endeavours to ensure that professional documents are as current as possible at the time of their endorsement, it takes no responsibility for matters arising from changed circumstances or information or material which may have become available subsequently.

The endorsement of GESA does not imply that the Statements and Guidelines are applicable in all cases, or in any particular case, but are general policy documents that may provide guidance for users.  Users should use their own judgment and consider the particular circumstances of each case.

  Advanced Liver Disease.

The liver is the body’s largest internal organ and has many essential functions.

Decompensated cirrhosis is a medical emergency and carries a high risk of death. Information about Decompensated Cirrhosis Care Bundle..

Cirrhosis Care Checklist (PDF) Cirrhosis Care Checklist (word document).

  Economic Cost and Health Burden of Liver Disease in Australia 2013 GESA commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to calculate the prevalence, mortality and economic cost of liver diseases in Australia.

  Endoscopy - Infection Prevention and Control 2025 Update The 2025 update of Infection Prevention and Control in Endoscopy was developed in partnership by GESA and GENCA. A multidisciplinary committee of representatives from the Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases and Federation of Sterilizing Research and Advisory Councils of Australia collaborated on this project.

  Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Faecal Calprotectin Faecal calprotectin and disease activity algorithm for IBD (developed in collaboration with NPS) Please visit the NPS website to explore further information and resources for gastroenterologists, GPs, pharmacists, nurses and hospitals to optimise the safety and health outcomes of biologics and targeted small molecule medicines for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

  Haemochromatosis Clinical Update 2021 Hereditary haemochromatosis (HFE) is a common inherited disorder in which excessive iron absorption may lead to increased body iron stores with deposition of iron in parenchymal cells of the liver, heart, pancreas and other organs.

  Handbook of Clinical Pancreatology 2021 The Second Edition of the Handbook of Clinical Pancreatology, an educational resource developed under the auspices of GESA, is now available from the Google Play Store and Apple Books. The editor, Ben Devereaux, presents an up to date, succinct guide rather than a definitive textbook. It is a resource you can refer to in the lecture hall, hospital ward or consulting room. The Handbook is also an invaluable resource for medical students, doctors in training and experienced clinicians. Three new chapters have been added to complete the scope of the Handbook; Paediatric Clinical Pancreatology, Cystic Fibrosis and the Pancreas and Diabetes of the Exocrine Pancreas. Each chapter is now co-authored by an Australian and international expert. Pancreatologists from around the globe (Scotland, England, France, Germany, India, Thailand, New Zealand, USA and Canada) agreed to contribute to the Handbook. This emphasises that the challenges of understanding the complexities of pancreatic physiology and thereby optimising the care of patients enduring an array of pancreatic pathologies is shared by colleagues across the world. The necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of patients remains a consistent theme as reflected by the breadth of expertise amongst the authors.

  HCC Consensus Statement 2020 Additional information on the HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA (HCC) CONSENSUS STATEMENT including a full copy of the consensus statements.

  Hepatitis C - Consensus Statement Management of Hep C in Australia’s Prisons 2022 The aim of the Consensus Statement, developed by the National Prisons Hepatitis Network is to make recommendations for best practice standards in hepatitis C prevention, testing and treatment in the prison sector based on available evidence. Consensus Statement on the Management of Hepatitis C in Australia’s Prisons (2022)

  Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Consensus Statement 2022 Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health challenge for Australia, affecting about 120 000 people who are at risk of progressive liver fibrosis leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Updated recommendations (2022) for the management for HCV are now available.

  Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Consensus Statement 2022 Australian recommendations for the management of Hepatitis C virus infection: a consensus statement December 2022.

  IBD - Algorithms for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Guided Anti-tumour A wall chart for medical practitioners outlining algorithms for the interpretation of TDM results may be downloaded here.

  IBD - Review article: consensus statements on therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases Review Article by N. Mitrev et al - published in AP&T Alimentary Pharmacology &Therapeutics, 2017.

  Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Advanced Therapies Prescription Guide Resource for gastroenterologists on prescribing advanced therapies for patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. View Advanced Therapies Prescription Guide

  Iron Deficiency Clinical Update 2022 Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide and accounts for about half of the global burden of anaemia. It may also result in fatigue, reduced cognitive function, hair loss, glossitis, stomatitis or restless legs in the absence of anaemia. Iron deficiency may occur at all ages, but particularly susceptible groups include children, women after the onset of menstruation, elderly people, vegetarians (especially vegans) and disadvantaged populations, such as Indigenous Australians, refugees, recent migrants and people in institutions.The Iron Deficiency Clinical Update 2022 covers basic iron physiology, causes of iron deficiency, risk groups, symptoms, prognosis, management and prevention of the condition.

  Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) Consensus Statement 2024 Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common liver condition in Australia and worldwide and is often encountered in general practice. This consensus statement details 21 evidence-based recommendations to aid primary care health professionals in the diagnosis and assessment of liver disease and comorbid conditions in patients with MAFLD. Recommendations for the assessment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in primary care: a consensus statement - MAFLD Recommendation Summary Assessment - Algorithm for MAFLD Patient - More information

MAFLD Recommendation Summary

Assessment Algorithm for MAFLD Patient

  Management of Patients with Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and Altered (Reduced) Food Intake Behaviour 2025 The statements and guidelines expressed as endorsed on the GESA website have been endorsed as general documents having appropriate regard to the general circumstances to which they apply at the time of their endorsement. It is the responsibility of the user to have express regard to the particular circumstances of each case and to the application of the statements and guidelines in each case. GESA’s endorsement is applicable at the time at which the endorsement is expressed. The statements and guidelines, developed by third parties, may be reviewed and updated from time to time. GESA does not take responsibility for reviewing its endorsements. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure they have obtained the current version and are aware of more recent or more appropriate statements and guidelines. The statements and guidelines have been prepared with regard to the information available at the time of preparation (and applicable at the time of GESA’s endorsement) and the user should therefore have regard to any information, research or other material which may have been published or become available subsequently. GESA takes no responsibility in this case. GESA aims to ensure that professional documents are as current as possible at the time of their endorsement. GESA takes no responsibility for matters arising from changed circumstances or information or material which may have become available subsequently. Read the DGBI-induced altered food intake behaviour guideline

  Clinical Update: Surgical Risk for Patients with Cirrhosis 2022 Surgical risk for patients with liver cirrhosis depends on the type and anatomical site of the proposed surgical procedure, severity of liver disease and presence of comorbid conditions. In patients being considered for surgery, CTP score, MELD score, Mayo postoperative mortality risk score, HVPG or VOCAL-Penn score can provide reasonable estimations of surgery-related mortality. Clinical Update: Surgical Risk for Patients with Cirrhosis 2022

  Seven Steps to Sustainable Endoscopy Seven Steps to Sustainable Endoscopy

  Hepatitis C in Children 2024 update – GP and Physician Resources - HCV in Children: Australian Commentary on AASLD-IDSA Guidance (2024) The Australian (AU) Commentary on the AASLD-IDSA HCV Guidance: HCV in Children provides recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C. HCV in Children: Australian Commentary on AASLD-IDSA Guidance (2024) A two-page summary was developed from the HCV in Children: Australian Commentary on AASLD-IDSA Guidance. The resource supports clinicians to provide advice and manage hepatitis C in children. Decision making – Hepatitis C in Children (2024)

  Decision making – Hepatitis C in Children (2024) The Australian (AU) Commentary on the AASLD-IDSA HCV Guidance: HCV in Children provides recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C. HCV in Children: Australian Commentary on AASLD-IDSA Guidance (2024) A two-page summary was developed from the HCV in Children: Australian Commentary on AASLD-IDSA Guidance. The resource supports clinicians to provide advice and manage hepatitis C in children. Decision making – Hepatitis C in Children (2024)

  Understanding Liver Tests 2024

This resource provides a guide to the indications for liver tests, interpretation of their results and further patient management. The use of non-invasive tests to estimate liver fibrosis and indications for referral to a gastroenterological specialist are also covered

  Alcohol use disorder in Australian general practice: first-line management and when to assess the liver Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is common, treatable and often under-recognised in Australian general practice. Alcohol is an important cause of liver disease, but its harm extends well beyond the liver to include injury, mental illness, cardiovascular disease, neurological complications and cancer (as a class 1 carcinogen). This resource focuses on what GPs can do in practice

  Cirrhosis Care Bundle 2022 Decompensated cirrhosis is a medical emergency and carries a high risk of death.

  Infection Control in Endoscopy: 2017 Infection Control in Endoscopy Consensus Statements on Carbapenemase–producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) - summary Endoscopy is a well-recognised diagnostic and therapeutic tool. It is a medical procedure that allows health professionals to inspect, view and investigate the inside of a patient’s body without the need to perform major surgery via a long, flexible tube that has a camera on one end. Due to the potential risk associated with inserting medical tools into a patient’s body, standards must be followed at all times. A breach of protocol leading to transmission of infection has the potential to harm patients and/or endoscopy personnel. The GESA Consensus Statement Flyer: Infection Control in Endoscopy Consensus Statements on Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (2017) details the importance of infection control in endoscopy. Circumstances in which an endoscopy-related infection might occur are discussed, as are measures to prevent infection, including endoscope reprocessing, antibiotic prophylaxis, and protection of endoscopy personnel. Practitioners, endoscopists, endoscopy nurses and associates should use these guidelines as an aid in relation to disinfection and sterilisation practices and not as a complete or authoritative statement of such procedures. This clinical update has been prepared by a combined Committee of GESA and Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australia (GENCA). Contributions were also made by representatives of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases. It was prepared under the chairmanship of Dr. Andrew Taylor. Specific recommendations are based on relevant published information and will be updated periodically as new information becomes available.

MAFLD Recommendation Summary

Assessment Algorithm for MAFLD Patient

  CR-105_Hepatitis C Management Summary 2022 – GP The wallchart for GPs summarising clinical guidance for treating Hepatitis C virus infection with a checklist for pre-treatment assessment of people with Hepatitis C virus infection has been updated based on the amendments in the HCV Consensus Statement 2022. An updated 'Remote Consultation Request for Initiation of Hepatitis C Treatment' is available as PDF or as a Word document.