Local Solutions By Your SideThe project arose from complaints about noise from patients and staff, staff concerns about time wasted looking for patient files and observation of staff congregating at the desk and leaving confidential files open. The aim was to reduce noise and non-productive work time, eliminate confidentiality breaches and increase patient engagement in care by returning care to the bedside. New workflow practices and work environment designs were trialled. The result has been reductions: in decibel readings at the central desk (45% average); non-productive time spent looking for files (80%); and confidentiality breaches (60%). Results also show increases in: note writing at the bedside (75%); engagement of patients in the planning; and recording of their care and engagement in care planning and evaluation between disciplines. Since this redesign the unit has had its lowest falls rate in over three years. High Value Road Retrieval Health care Delivery in the HunterAim: To reduce transport costs and improve response times of Hunter Retrieval Service (HRS) inter-hospital road retrievals. Method: HRS data revealed increasing transport costs and delays in inter-hospital road retrieval response times due to its reliance on NSW Ambulance vehicle (and paramedic) availability. Use of the dedicated Hunter NETS retrieval ambulance eliminated delays in HRS paediatric road retrievals. A dedicated HRS road retrieval model was introduced – with 24/7 on site drivers and a dedicated (ex-Health Transport Service) retrieval van. Results: HRS road retrieval transport costs dropped significantly and delays in road retrieval response times for both adult and paediatric patients were eliminated. Conclusion: The HRS dedicated inter-hospital road retrieval driver and vehicle provides a patient focused timely and cost efficient model of care. Establishing a casual pool to fill Allied Health vacanciesAim: District wide development, implementation and evaluation of an Allied Health Casual Pool as a trial project to help address allied health workforce issues in HNE Health, in particular, to fill short term vacancies for projects, sick leave, annual leave, and while recruitment is occurring to ensure that allied health services can be maintained. Method: Surveys assessed Allied Health Managers and current and previous casual pool employees’ perceived usefulness of the Allied Health Casual Pool. Results: Surveys revealed: 71% of managers had used the Casual Pool to fill short term vacancies. Of those managers who utilised the casual pool, 84% had used it multiple times. 79% of managers reported they would utilise the casual pool in future and 96% of casual pool employees responded they would re-apply for a position on the casual pool. Responses indicated there was usefulness and improved efficiencies through: feedback that the District Allied Health Project Team coordinating bulk recruitment action had saved time for individual disciplines; 80% of managers reporting the Casual Pool had eliminated vacancies and reduced gaps in staff successfully. Conclusion: Evaluation results indicated the Allied Health Casual Pool assisted managers to fill short-term vacancies to maintain Allied Health services and provided employment opportunities for casual pool employees. Allied Health managers and casual pool employees supported the continuation of the Allied Health Casual Pool as a useful service for filling short-term vacancies. |