Safety & Quality Account 2020-21 | 2021-22 Future Priorities

Information underpins everything we do

Linking Information Technology (IT) to Patient Safety and Quality Outcomes WSLHD Safety & Quality Account

Health information technology (IT) is an essential tool for improving healthcare quality and safety.

HOSPITAL ACQUIRED COMPLICATIONS (HAC) A hospital-acquired complication (HAC) refers to a complication for which clinical risk mitigation strategies may reduce (but not necessarily eliminate) the risk of that complication occurring. HAC data is collected regularly within each facility and service and is used to drive improvements across WSLHD. The positive outcomes of improvement activities are identified via an overall decrease in the rate of HACs occurring across WSLHD. A District-wide approach has been undertaken to address harm from fall and hospital acquired pressure injuries. Strategies to reduce harm from falls include: • Intentional Rounding –a proactive, multidisciplinary activity designed to improve awareness of the clinical and personal needs of the patient • Safe and Early Mobilisation - engages the multidisciplinary team to identify, assess, plan and manage functional ability to safely mobilise patients • Recognition of Cognition and Patient Education – engages the multidisciplinary team to prevent, identify, plan, treat and manage delirium and altered cognition. Strategies to reduce pressure injuries include: • Pressure Injury Prevention Bundle – this model of care involves a safer microclimate for skin integrity reducing the incidence of incontinence associated dermatitis and reducing shear and frictions • Intentional Rounding - a structured process of regular checks are conducted with individual patients using a standardised protocol • Documentation and Staging – roll out of an education package to ensure accuracy and consistency in effective staging and documentation • Pressure Injury Prevention Plan in the electronic Medical Records (e-MR) - improves compliance with the completion of pressure injury risk assessments and prevention plans.

WSLHD utilises health IT to improve the safety of our services by reducing errors and clinical variation, improving compliance to practice guidelines and identifying areas for improvement. WSLHD collects health information to inform care and ensure appropriate treatment is provided to patients. Data is used to monitor performance and deliver innovative care. STREAMLINING THE PERIOPERATIVE SCREENING PROCESS FOR ELECTIVE SURGERY The aim of this program, which used a telehealth application, was to streamline the perioperative screening process for elective surgery ensuring that 100% of patients receive appropriate pre- assessment prior to surgery. This resulted in the patient’s baseline health being optimised prior to the surgery. As a consequence of the implementation of this program numerous positive outcomes were generated and include: • <2% cancellation Day of Surgery (which meets the state-wide key performance indicator) • Less pressure to meet the volume of face-to-face clinic appointments required which was reduced from 35 per day to 20 per day on average • Improved resource vs demand management • Reduction in patients who did not attend (DNA) face-to-face clinic appointments with telehealth now utilised within the screening criteria increasing patient attendance • Fewer post-operative complications reported at surgical services and Anaesthetic Morbidity and Mortality meetings where complication due to inadequate pre-assessment processes.

PHOTOS: Left: Nelson Ubera (NUM Renal) Right: Westmead Eye Clinic.

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