Northern Health has recently welcomed a new team member in Simulation Centre – a new generation SimMan 3G manikin.

The manikin was purchased conjunctively by Northern Health, the University of Melbourne and Latrobe University, and will provide base education, simulation and training for Northern Health staff and students.

The Simulation Centre is also equipped with two older models of electronic SimMen, IV equipment and cameras to provide students and staff with education and training opportunities.

The new SimMan 3G manikin is a more advanced model than its predecessors, featuring functions such as a highly realistic look and texture, the ability to speak and project a trainer’s voice via a headset and a microphone, various pre-programmed voice-controlled commands, and even the functionality to cry.

“The SimMan 3G plus has the most realistic patient presentation features. I am looking forward to including SimMan 3G plus in clinical deterioration simulations across the hospital. This will give the learners a real experience and enable them to practice working within the multidisciplinary team in coordinating care during clinical emergencies,” said Clinical Nurse Educator Simulation and Clinical Support Nurse Surgical, Navya Jose.

Consultant Anaesthetist, Andrew Huang, says having an advanced model available at Northern Health will significantly improve the training opportunities for staff and students.

“The additional training capacity with the new model has really opened up the possibility to create high fidelity education opportunities for our students and staff to enhance the care we provide at Northern Health,” he said.

The SimMan 3G manikin can be used by medical, nursing or allied health educators for, but not limited to, deteriorating patient scenarios and cardiac arrest resuscitation scenarios.

“Students have already said how much more realistic he is. I have used him for deteriorating patient scenarios, and they were much easier to run. The system gave me excellent feedback of CPR effectiveness. The students found being able to have measurable outcomes in CPR, and improvement, very rewarding,” said Dr Pip Wills, Simulation Teaching Specialist, University of Melbourne and Emergency Physician, Northern Health.

Monika Aulakh, Lecturer at La Trobe University says that SimMan 3G will help students to minimize making mistakes in their future practice.

“SimMan 3G plus can provide students with a learning environment to develop nursing skills, that is safe and controlled so that the participants are able to make mistakes, correct those mistakes in real time and learn from them, without fear of compromising patient safety.”

The new SimMan 3G manikin is available for simulation and training sessions Monday – Friday, across all four campuses of Northern Health. To book a session please email simulation@nh.org.au

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Rexhepi, Simulation Technical Support Officer, Dr Andrew Huang, Dr Suzy Cook, Lorette Botha, Dr Pip Wills, Monika Aulakh, Eloise Willams and Navya Jose with the new SimMan 3G manikin.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Teneille Talbot, Clinical Nurse Manager, Emergency Department

Q: Tell us about a career highlight for you while you’ve been with Northern Health?

A: I have been employed by Northern Health for 10 years, which in itself is a milestone. My greatest achievement to date is becoming a Clinical Nurse Unit Manager (CNUM) in the Emergency Department which has been my home since I started as a graduate nurse.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?

A: My role is very diverse with clinical and non-clinical work. I love working clinical and I do not see myself giving this up anytime soon, as it allows me to provide care to the patients in our community. I also enjoy being able to support the staff on the floor. My role as a CNUM allows me to have the best of both worlds, work clinical with patients and also be in a position where I can implement change from a senior management role.

Q: We understand you recently completed your first IRONMAN triathlon. Tell us more about that?  

A: The 70.3 Ironman was on my bucket list before the very first COVID lockdown. Since then, I suffered a hip injury requiring surgery, got married, had a miscarriage and then was diagnosed with and beat a rare cancer requiring 14 weeks of chemo. I have always been a strong minded and focused person, and watching my husband complete his fifth 70.3 Ironman, I was determined to complete one myself. It all started with a 26-week training program (written by my husband) for the 70.3 Ironman Geelong. Training consisted of six to seven sessions a week, ranging from 1.5-6 hour sessions, which allowed me to be distracted from the difficult aspects of life at the time. The 70.3 Ironman included a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle, and 21.5km run, which I was able to complete in 6hrs and 42 min (ultimately my goal was to complete it in under seven hours).

Q: What was the best book you ever read?

A: I am not a big book reader as this takes time to sit still. I am a very active person, which is why ED nursing has always suited my personality.

Q: Jeans or sweatpants?

A: Sweatpants for sure, though if I could choose it would be leggings, I’m all about comfort!

This morning, Northern Health held its annual ANZAC Day Service at Bundoora Centre.

Our ANZAC Day Service has been closely associated with our patients for over a decade, particularly those at Bundoora Centre. The service provided an opportunity for us to gather together to remember, reflect and pay tribute to those who made great sacrifices to make our country a safer place.

The service opened with a mounting of the Catafalque Party from the Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Wing, before our master of ceremonies, Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, and Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Officer, welcomed everyone.

“On 25 April, 1915, Gallipoli was the site of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War,” Lisa said.

“Today, we remember and honour the 60,000 Australians who were killed and 156,000 wounded or taken prisoner in that war. We also remember over 800 Aboriginal Australians who landed at Gallipoli, 13 of whom were killed in action. We remember the more than 3,000 Australian civilian nurses, who volunteered for active service in the First World War. Today we also pay tribute to more than 1.5 million service men and women, who have served our country.”

Representatives from across the health service featured and attended the service, including Jennifer Williams AM, Board Chair, Linda Rubinstein, Board Director and Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive.

Members of our local community were also in attendance this morning, including Colin Brooks MP, State Member for Bundoora, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers and Minister for Child Protection and Family Services, Dal Crocker, RSL Victoria, David Boyle, Bagpiper, Watsonia RSL, Bill Pattinson, Bugler.

Our very own Northern Health Choir, sponsored by Northern Health Foundation, participated in the ANZAC Day Service, singing The Lord’s Prayer and the Australian National Anthem.

Thank you also to the Catafalque Party from the Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Wing, for providing their services today.

To watch a recording of the service, please click here.

After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern Health Gastrointestinal Physiology Laboratory has begun providing services again.

The lab, located at the Day Oncology Unit at Northern Hospital Epping, is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art instruments and analysis software to cater for patients in the rapidly growing northern catchment. The lab provides oesophageal manometry and pH testing service for patients suffering from symptoms such as dysphagia (inability to swallow) and severe heartburn.

Chris Leung, Gastroenterologist, said many patients with severe dysphagia or heartburn cannot enjoy the simple pleasure of life, like eating a meal.

“Moreover, when severe, these symptoms can lead to significant weight loss and malnutrition. The Oesophageal Manometry and pH Service at Northern Health is a vital tool in diagnosing the cause of severe dysphagia or reflux. It is also an important investigation prior to upper gastrointestinal surgery,” he said.

Oesophageal manometry involves inserting a thin, flexible catheter into the patient’s nose and down into their oesophagus. This tube contains sensors that measure the pressure in the oesophagus when swallowing. By using 36 channels, 256 total sensors and 432 points of measurement, high-resolution catheters diagnose important conditions such as oesophageal spasm, ineffective motility and achalasia (inability of the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax).

A 24-hour oesophageal pH study measures the amount of acid reflux in the oesophagus and determines the severity of reflux. These two tests, alone or together, enables dietary, pharmacological and/or surgical treatments to be tailored to each patient.

“This is a significant step forward for Northern Health in serving our local community,” Chris said.

“Severe dysphagia can be very distressing for our patients. The ability to diagnose and treat it quickly is essential for their wellbeing. We have a commitment to provide the highest level of care to our patients and ensure that they have access to the latest diagnostic and treatment options.”

“Indeed, there is a thrilling satisfaction in witnessing a patient being able to swallow their favourite cuisine with their loved ones after months, or even years, of severe symptoms. Perhaps together, we can truly have our cake and eat it too.”

Featured image L-R: The Interdisciplinary Team, Kaylene Eckersall, Gastrointestinal Physiology Nurse, Chris Leung, Gastroenterologist, Melissa Gwynne, Day Oncology Unit Nurse Unit Manager and Sarah Taylor, Gastroenterology Registrar.

The Reception and Switchboard at Northern Health operate across Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital and Bundoora Centre.

The team is responsible for greeting and assisting patients, staff and the general public, while also answering and directing phone calls from internal and external stakeholders.

Reception and Switchboard also process incoming and outgoing mail, manage the paging systems, maintain a directory of over 6,500 contact numbers and summarise clinician rosters to ensure quick access to on-call details in an emergency.

Northern Hospital Epping is a 24/7 department, and the Reception and Switchboard team based there are often the first point of contact for many additional responsibilities that need to be accessed after-hours, including answering after-hours calls for Broadmeadows Hospital and Bundoora Centre.

Reception and Switchboard also responds to the 2222 Emergency Code Phone. There are 15 different types of Emergency Codes that can be called, each with their own procedures that must be followed.

There are seven receptionists at Broadmeadows Hospital, eight at Bundoora Centre and 28 at Northern Hospital Epping. Each of them utilises their own individual customer service skills and makes sure they are up to date with Northern Health processes and any changes that may occur.

Receptionist and Switchboard operator, Gloria Lipus, has recently celebrated 33 years of work and commitment to the health service.

“In 1990, when my twins were only one year old, I took a job at PANCH because mortgage interest rates were rising. It was only supposed to be a temporary job, but my twins are 34 years old now, interest rates are still rising, and I haven’t looked for another job since,” she said.

Reflecting back on some of the changes she has seen since she first started, she says life was much simpler back then.

“Computers and mobile phones replaced the plug and cord switchboard, PANCH became too small while Northern grew bigger and bigger. At PANCH I knew everyone, but now I know only a handful of my colleagues as there are so many of us,” she said.

Northern Health Reception Manager, Nick Caruana, says that Reception and Switchboard are the main point of contact, and are privileged to work closely with all of the Northern Health’s stakeholders.

“From patients and their families to the staff that keep this place running, Reception at some point will assist most people who either enter the hospital or call seeking assistance,” he said.

The pandemic triggered a number of changes within Northern Health that Reception and Switchboard had to stay on top of, all the while handling 30,000 – 45,000 calls a month – a 50 per cent increase in call volume compared to before the pandemic.

“During this time, the Reception and Switchboard team were instrumental in keeping information flowing across Northern Health to our stakeholders, which I can confidently say was handled exceptionally well,” said Mr Caruana.

In 2023, the Reception and Switchboard team is looking to streamline their current processes to make them more efficient. One way in which they have already achieved this is by automating Northern Health’s clinician on-call rosters to ensure they always have online, up-to-date information.

They also look forward to increasing their workforce as Northern Health’s catchment keeps expanding and staying up to date with any changes that come with Northern Health’s incredibly exciting growth.

Thank you to our Reception and Switchboard team for everything that you do for Northern Health!

Pictured in featured image (left to right): Receptionists and Swtichboard operators Debra Kinder, Elizabeth Anagnostou,  Bianca Greig and June Duckmanton with Hospital Reception Manager Nicholas Caruana

Northern Health staff and volunteers are now able to receive their annual influenza (flu) vaccination.

As Melbourne’s cold winter months approach, now is the time for staff and volunteers to come forward, roll up their sleeves and boost their immunity with the flu vaccine.

It is recommended by the Department of Health that individuals receive their annual flu vaccine from mid-April onwards to ensure protection against the flu is at it’s highest during the peak flu season, typically between June and September.

Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive, received his flu shot last week. He said the vaccine was an important step in boosting your immunity this winter.

“It is still as important as ever to receive your flu shot this year, especially with COVID-19 still in the community. By getting the flu shot, you are not only protecting yourself from the flu, but also your family, friends, colleagues and community,” he said.

All staff members and volunteers at Northern Health are required to receive the flu vaccine. The vaccine will be administered by an immunising nurse in all clinical and non-clinical areas. Staff with contraindications with the vaccination are required to attend a face-to-face consultation with the immunisation nurses.

Managers of non-clinical areas can email Staff Health at staff.health@nh.org.au to arrange for an immuniser to visit their work area. Group sessions also begin today, between 9 am and 2 pm in the front area of Ward 21 on Level 5, Main Ward Block at Northern Hospital Epping. These sessions will occur weekly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

For staff members who have had the vaccine elsewhere, a link will be sent from a Northern Health credentialing system for you to upload the details directly.

All COVID-19 vaccines can also be co-administered (given on the same day) as an influenza vaccine. Community members are encouraged to speak to their local doctor or pharmacy to access flu vaccinations.

For more information, please visit the Intranet.

Featured image L-R: Dr Bill Shearer, Executive Director, Quality, Safety and Transformation, Christine Polmear, Director, Performance Management and Risk and Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive.

#WeAreNorthern 

Meet Lisa Bethune, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care Service

Q: Tell us about your role at Northern Health?

A: I am a palliative care nurse practitioner and I work with the Northern Health Palliative Care Consult Service, caring for patients with palliative care needs. This can be providing symptom management, participating in family meetings and communicating with patients and families about what is the most important thing to them. Often this involves facilitating discharge home with palliative care supports or referral to our palliative care unit. I am also involved in education and support for staff providing palliative care and ensuring that dying is recognised, and patients are comfortable at the end their life.

Q: If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

A: It’s difficult for me to imagine being anything other than a palliative care nurse. I always harboured a desire to write a novel, so in my fantasy world, I would be a writer.

 Q: What career advice would you give to your younger self?  

A: Keep listening, learn from those around you, have confidence that you will find the job position that is right for you.

 Q: What was cool when you were young, but isn’t cool now?

A: Legwarmers! Very cool in the early 1980s.

Q: City or country?

A: I love both equally. I like to be surrounded by nature wherever I am.

Northern Health Electronic Medical Record (EMR) training registration opens on Monday, 17 April.

The EMR team started working with various stakeholders within the organisation to design and build the system in 2021. Fast forward to April 2023, the EMR is now ready for the final stage of testing, before training takes the spotlight in June.

The EMR training schedule was published on the EMR website and via an All Manager email. In a 10-week window, the EMR training team will train more than 5,000 staff before our go live in September. Thanks to the engagement of more than 20 stakeholder groups, the team was able to construct a schedule that is best suited for the organisation to reduce the impact on the operations.

To help you prepare for EMR training, we have familiarisation videos for you to get early visibility of the system. The team will also be running Solution Galleries in May at Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, and Bundoora Centre to demonstrate workflows that are relevant to your area of work.

Similar to other EMR implementations, under the guiding principle of ‘no training no access’, all staff who will be interacting with the EMR, whether it be ‘full access’ or ‘read-only access’, will need to undergo some form of training before using the system. This is to ensure our patients are safe when we transition from documenting on paper to documenting electronically.

On average, the team will deliver 58 EMR classroom training per week, Mondays to Fridays, training around 600 staff per week. Most nursing staff will complete a full day of classroom training, whereas doctors and other disciplines will complete a four-hour or less training. Training facilities are available across Epping, Bundoora, and Broadmeadows.

Starting on Monday, 17 April, area managers and their delegates will be able to register their staff for classroom training using myLearning. Most classes, except for some medical slots, will be first come first serve basis. Managers will be able to allocate staff to certain classes based on your roster.

The EMR training registration guideline will be distributed to all managers to outline the registration process. The EMR team is also running EMR Training Registration Roadshow on 18 April at 10.30 am at NCHER Level 3 Training Space for all managers, and on 26 April at 2 pm at Epping Main Lecture Theatre specifically for NUMs where you will be able to ask the team any questions.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the myLearning team for their wonderful support in building the EMR courses into the system.

Featured image: Cliff Wiltshire, EMR Training Manager