In our pursuit of our ‘High Reliability – Trusted Care’ transformation, Northern Health has established a series of programs, meetings and groups, focussing on patient safety, improvements and moving towards zero preventable harm.

The Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP) aims to improve the culture of safety, while providing frontline caregivers with the tools and support they need to identify and tackle the hazards that threaten their patients at a unit or clinic level. The CUSP is a cornerstone in High Reliability Organisations (HRO) in healthcare.

Developed by Johns Hopkins University safety and quality researchers, the five-step program has been used to target a wide range of hazards, including patient falls, hospital-acquired infections, medication administration errors, specimen labelling errors and teamwork and communication breakdowns.

Northern Health currently has two CUSPs – Unit B/Med 3 chaired by Dr Yana Sunderland, which is six months old and Respiratory CUSP.

The first Respiratory CUSP took place 14 months ago, and since then, the team has held monthly meetings.

The CUSP, chaired by Dr Katharine See, Head of Respiratory Medicine, is an opportunity for all staff to be briefed, be part of the team and actively participate in initiatives to improve patient care.

“In the previous year, we’ve completed more than twelve projects and they can be things as simple as developing a form, or completely redesigning a procedure room,” Dr See said.

“It’s inclusive of all staff – from allied health to nursing, medical and cleaning, and it’s a good opportunity for everyone to speak up about safety concerns on the unit,” said Maureen Goodwin, Respiratory Clinical Nurse Consultant.

Amy Wilson, T2 Ward Clerk, feels it’s important for everyone to participate.

“I just find it interesting, as I am not part of the clinical staff, but from an administration point of view it’s interesting as we are learning new things,” she said.

Clare McCarthy, Project Manager, said this is an amazing collective of our staff coming together each month to focus on safety.

“This is where you experience our HRO transformation first-hand. The principles of HRO are played out here, like being alert to risk and avoiding simplistic interpretations,” she said.

To hear more about Respiratory CUSP achievements and goals, check out the video below:

Victoria’s first public in-house laboratory service established in 40 years opened at midnight last night at Northern Hospital Epping.

After two years of teamwork and collaboration across various departments, Northern Health is proud to have an in-house laboratory which marks a significant milestone in Northern Heath’s growth and development.

Shiraz Lubke, Operations Manager Northern Pathology, said that the team is extremely happy and that the transition went smoothly.

“We had no major problems, and everyone held together really nicely and we got through it. We didn’t get any complaints from departments which proves it was a smooth transition,” she said.

Dr Brian Beer, Director of Pathology, confirmed that the midnight transition went really well and the team quickly overcame minor challenges.

“When I got here this morning, everyone was happy and things are working out. The hospital is also happy and ED is getting good service,” he said.

Dr Prahlad Ho, Director of Haematology thanked all other departments and Northern Pathology staff for making this transition so successful.

Midwifery Educator at Northern Health, Marie Iacopino, received the award for ‘Compassionate Care’ at our inaugural Staff Recognition Awards.

Marie is the perfect example of how a small gesture, like checking in on someone during a tough time, can make a world of difference.

Marie was nominated by Graduate Midwife Larissa Hudgson, who says, “Marie is not just an amazing midwife, but she so genuinely cares for the graduates she supervises, and has gone above and beyond for me.”

“Any graduate or patient who is lucky enough to work with Marie is sure to feel respected and important,” she continues.

Larissa’s father passed away unexpectedly, and it was during this time that Marie reached out and offered help and support, meeting with Larissa to debrief and organise time off work for her.

“Despite being part of such a large organisation, Marie helped me feel important to the hospital but also ensured I had time to grieve,” Larissa says.

“She showed me where to find support and since restarting back at work, has checked on me.”

The award came as an unexpected, but much appreciated surprise for Marie, who only found out on the day she was receiving it. Marie was truly touched to read what Larissa had written in her nomination, as she didn’t realise the impact she had on her with everything going on.

“Larissa has had a tough year and I was truly humbled to know that I was able to help her through a difficult time,” Marie says.

“I was beside myself when I read her entry…I got a bit teary,” she continues.

When asked why she enjoys working at Northern Health, Marie says it’s the connections she has formed with both women in maternity and staff, to the supportive and encouraging environment she works in.

“I didn’t realise how much you could enjoy your work until I came to Northern Health. If you’re working with a good team and have a good support network it makes all the difference, and that’s what I have here,” she says.

On a final note, Marie says, “I’ve heard from women coming through our maternity services that they’ve had a really great experience at Northern Health and that’s what we want to provide.”

“If we’re doing well from our side, they’re doing well from their side.”

Sponsored by Maxxia and BankVic, our Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards have been designed to formally recognise outstanding contributions by our employees and celebrate staff excellence. Nominations for the next Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards are now open. To nominate a staff member or team, please click here.

Happy New Year to you all. I hope that many of you have enjoyed a Christmas and New Year break – and thank you to those who worked over the holiday period caring for our patients.

This month marks a significant milestone in Northern Heath’s growth and development as we open our own pathology service – Northern Pathology Victoria. This is Victoria’s first public in-house laboratory service established in 40 years.

Northern Pathology Victoria’s main laboratory is located at Northern Hospital with a range of pathology and collection services at Bundoora, Broadmeadows, and Craigieburn.

The service will initially provide Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, Microbiology and Biochemistry testing for all in-patients, out-patients and private patients. We will be partnering with Alfred Pathology Service for anatomical pathology and complex testing services, supported by a regular and efficient courier system.

Northern Pathology Victoria will have a specific emphasis on patient safety, clinical efficacy and quality reporting. As part of this commitment, we have purchased cutting edge technology, including a fully automated track system (commencing September 2019) and molecular testing service in microbiology, in addition to setting up a complex special coagulation service with a full suite of testing.

The planning for the process commenced two years ago, and we are pleased to have received provisional accreditation to commence our laboratory services at midnight 8 January 2019.

Congratulations to our pathology team led by Dr. Prahlad Ho and everyone else involved in creating our own pathology service.

 

Siva Sivarajah

Chief Executive

 

Featured image: Dr. Prahlad Ho and Chief Executive Siva Sivarajah

Below image left to right: Chief Scientist Uttam Punj, Meg Ginete, Shamila Ratnayake and Nicole Davidson

Palliative Care Services at Northern Health aim to improve quality of life for patients with life-limiting illness and their families, through management of symptoms, support and decision-making about future care.

In June 2018, Northern Health’s Palliative Care Service relocated from Northern Hospital Epping to a new site at Heritage Epping Gardens Aged Care Facility. The Epping Gardens unit consists of 16 large single rooms fitted with ensuites and a number of open areas including a cinema, lounge, chapel, hairdresser and sports bar for patients and their families.

The move is in the interim while new facilities for a dedicated Palliative Care Unit at Northern Hospital Epping are being planned.

The team have been working hard over the Christmas period to ensure compassionate end-of-life care and support for patients and their families during a difficult time.

After being treated at Peter Mac Hospital, Joseph Schrembi (pictured above) was in need of Palliative Care. Joseph’s family brought him to Epping Gardens on 7 December 2018, and are very happy with the care and support he has received.

Joseph’s family said, “Staff, nurses and doctors were always so kind and caring for Joe. The facilities at Epping Gardens are always clean and well looked after with many zoned areas for family and friends to be comfortable whilst visiting. We would definitely recommend Epping Gardens in the future.”

Featured image: Joseph and his family enjoying the outdoor space at Epping Gardens.

With the temperature expected to rise upwards of  34 degrees today, here’s some sobering facts about heatwaves, described as ‘nature’s silent killer’ and tips on how to stay well in extreme heat.

Heatwaves have three levels of intensity-low, severe and extreme. ‘Severe’ can affect vulnerable individuals, but ‘extreme’ can affect even the young and healthy.

They are the most lethal weather phenomenon with greater fatality than avalanches and earthquakes worldwide. Here in Australia they are responsible for 55% of all natural disaster related deaths. (Source: news.com.au)

How to beat the heat

Stay hydrated:

• Keep those fluids up! Even if you don’t feel thirsty, have a drink bottle with you at all times to ensure you’re drinking plenty of water.

Stay cool:

• Seek out air-conditioned buildings, keep blinds closed, take cool showers, and wear loose clothing made from natural, breathable fibres like cotton.

Stay out of hot cars:

• Hot cars can kill! Never leave children, older people and pets in cars. Within minutes, the temperature inside a parked car can double.

Stay smart:

• Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. If you do have to go outside, remember to slip, slop, slap on the sunscreen and seek shade.
• Avoid exercising in the heat and activities like renovating and gardening.
• Make sure food that needs refrigeration is properly stored.
• Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads.
• Watch or listen to news reports to find out more information during extreme heat.

Stay connected:

• Look out for each other – patients, staff, volunteers and community members.
• Check in on those most at risk in the heat – older people, pets and our patients.

Northern Health Acting Director of Emergency Department, Dr Dean Pritchard, says that care must be taken by staff and patients to avoid prolonged exposure to heat during summer, particularly when combined with strenuous activity.

“We must also be mindful of our elderly family and neighbours, who may not have access to air-conditioning. Conditions as simple as sunburn, and as serious as heat stroke, can be prevented by avoiding exposure and exertion during the hottest times of day.”  he adds.

Apprenticeships Group Australia (AGA) and Northern Health have developed a School Based Traineeship Program whereby eligible students have the opportunity to complete a Certificate II in Business. Northern Health formed a partnership with AGA in 2016.

This year, five AGA students have graduated from Certificate II in Business, and have successfully completed their one day a week placement at Northern Health. They have worked in the following departments: P&C Front Reception, Ambulatory Care (Clinics and Business Centers), Women’s & Children’s Services (EA’s), Patient Experience and Quality, Project Management Office, Unit H & I, Northern Health Bundoora (Admin), Broadmeadows Hospital (Admin), Health information Services and Transformation P&C.

Emily Dawson, Director Organisational Capability, says two of these students will be staying on with us and working five days a week to complete their Certificate III.

“Having these students at Northern Health was a great experience for all. They were able to learn what it’s like to work in a health service and are now able to put their business administration studies into practice,” she said.

Northern Health aims to take on more students next year.

“We will be taking on seven more Certificate II students in 2019 and interviews will be taking place in partnership with AGA. I’d like to say a huge thanks to our staff and departments who support these young people in their first professional steps,” Emily said.

 

 

Today, the executive team handed out Christmas gifts to staff working on this special day and thanked them for all their hard work in the past year.

Debra Bourne, Acting Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer said that this is a way to say to staff that their work is valued.

“Every year, all executive and operational staff, from Corporate, Allied Health, medical and nursing donate food, gifts, various chocolates and chips to all the wards and units that are open during Christmas” she said.

Have a Happy Christmas everyone!