Northern Health’s Accreditation is scheduled from 24 – 28 May 2021. Leading up to the date, we will be sharing communication from Standard Chairs, as well as initiatives and stories that relate to the Standard. Below, Maree Glynn, Director of Clinical Practice Improvement, talks about how to prepare, what to expect during the Accreditation Week and how we are going so far.

How are we going so far?

From the “back of house” point of view, there is a lot of work being done to prepare for our assessment. On the Intranet and in your work area, we have resources such as the Manager’s Checklist, which will help managers prepare their areas and their staff, along with Q&As about each Standard, so there is a lot of information to help you understand the requirements in each Standard. Each Standard has a page on the Intranet and all the Standard’s requirements are captured in our Policies and Procedures. If you follow these, you will meet the Standards. If you know the policies and procedures that guide your work, you will be ok.

What are some of the key messages staff should know?

Quality and safety is everyone’s responsibility and everyone has a role to make sure that care given to patients, families and people visiting our organisation is the best there can be, and that we have the right culture where quality and safety is valued.

Patients and families need to feel welcome, well looked after, safe and culturally safe as well. We have a very diverse community and we have to be respectful and inclusive of their needs. At an individual level, you need to understand what your role is and which Standards are relevant to your role. If you are unsure your manager will be able to help you.

At this point, it is essential that you are up to date with all your  mandatory training. We have to submit our training data to the survey team on April 9, and currently, all our mandatory training is sitting below our target of 95 per cent. It is really important to get that done in the next month. Performance appraisals are also very important.

Where can staff find more information?

There is a lot of information on the Intranet, but I think it’s important for staff to listen to the key messages we’ll be rolling out. We have 12 weeks to go and this is the first message to all staff. From Monday 8 March, each week will be focusing on a different Standard and staff will be able to hear from Standard Chairs, as well as read about initiatives and developments in the organisation that tie in to the Standard.

How does the survey team observe the organisation?

When the survey team of eight arrives, they will be here for five days and will visit all our campuses. They are here to assess how we meet each of the 8 Standards (148 Actions). We will provide information and the evidence to show that we are meeting the Standards. Much of their time, they will be out in the clinical areas where they will verify our evidence and observe our practise. This might include clinical handovers, ward rounds, multidisciplinary meetings and responding to MET calls. They will spend time talking to staff, patients and family members and reading health care records. Our survey begins on the first morning and often when the team is waiting in the foyer to be greeted, first impressions are very important. For example, quite a few years ago, a surveyor noticed we had some ripped chairs in the foyer, which sets the scene that there might be a problem here. On the other hand, we have received some very positive feedback about how welcoming the receptionist/ward clerk was when they arrived at a ward to meet with the staff. They will interpret this situation as “this must be what the patients and their families are experiencing”. Those are some examples of how they can observe the ways we do our work.

What can people who work in non-clinical areas expect?

That depends on your role, as many non-clinical roles have a very close connection to delivering patient care. For example, cleaning is a really important factor for preventing infections in hospital. Reception staff are essential for the patient experience and getting the right information. People who work ‘back of the house’ are less likely to be interviewed, but our survey team are welcome to meet with any of our staff. Talk to your manager if you need more information and I am also happy to provide advice. We don’t always know what they will be interested in, but we know they will visit all our clinical areas.

How is this different than the 2017 Accreditation?

Back in 2017, we were accredited against an earlier edition of the National Standards. This is now a new edition, and we’ve never been surveyed against this one. That makes things a bit harder as it makes it a bit unknown, as there are some new Standards. The Accreditation team and the Chairs of the Standards committees and some key personnel have been preparing all the evidence that might be requested. A really important message from me to staff is – the surveyors are here to talk about our everyday work. If a surveyor asks you for something, and you don’t know the answer, say ‘I will get back to you’ or ‘Could we please talk with my manager who may be able to help”. If you work in direct patient care, and you get asked how you involve patients in their care, just talk about how you are working with your patients every day. That is all you need to do.

Accreditation is about our quality and safety every day, but working up to an event such an assessment of this size means staff will be working to ensure they have everything in order, and be aware what is about to happen.

Over the past week, a number of staff have been undertaking ‘super-user’ training to prepare them for working in the new South East Building.

The purpose of the training was for a number of nominated Northern Health staff to be credentialed as super-users and able to train other staff in all aspects of the new areas.

Director of Operational Readiness, Kathryn Bartho, explained the training super-users have undertaken to ensure they are prepared for working in these new facilities.

“There have been a variety of disciplines participate in the training including NUMs, ANUMs, Clinical Educators, Ward Clerks and PSA supervisors. Staff have been trained in the nurse call system, clinical handset devices, patient lifting machines, area warden training, bariatric equipment, air mattresses, hi lo beds, negative pressure rooms, intercoms, AV functionality in meeting rooms and lighting systems, as well as participated in simulations led by Dr Nancy Sadka,” Kathryn said.

“I can proudly report that the vendors that conducted the training all commented on the success of the training and the positive and friendly attitudes of all involved. The super-users have already begun rolling out the training to the end users within their teams,” Kathryn added.

One of the exciting features in the new wards will be the clinical handsets and Rauland Nurse Call.

Patients will have the ability to call nurses from their rooms, which will make the clinical handsets light up. Nurses can answers the call and provide support and assistance to patients.

Among the super-users was Nurse Practitioner, Vicki Malamatinas (pictured below) who was able to check out the new procedure room in Ward 19.

“It’s an exciting time for Northern Health as we prepare staff for work within these new facilities. Thank you to all of the super-user staff who have been involved in training and simulation over the past week,” Kathryn said.

Stay tuned for further updates and information regarding the new South East Building at Northern Hospital Epping.

Featured Image: Staff members Sanjeev, Angelica and Magdalen undertaking CPR training/simulation in one of the new rooms in Ward 20.

Every quarter, we recognise staff members or teams from Support Services who actively live and role model the Northern Health Values of Safe, Kind and Together, and who go above and beyond what is expected of them in their role.

Aptly called the Shine Awards, it casts a light on a staff member or a team who have excelled in any one of three categories- Safe, Kind and Together.

The first is someone or a team that has demonstrated consistent safe work practices, provided suggestions for improving safety and is a role model for other staff- i.e. the Safety Award.

The second is awarded to a staff member or team that consistently and proactively supports their peers, the broader department and Northern Health to achieve their work and goals i.e. the Kindness Award.

The last i.e. the Together Award – is awarded to a staff member or team who work together to achieve excellent outcomes.

Below are the winners and what their nominators had to say about them.

Safety Award: Peter Savidis

“Peter always works safely in ICU and ensures the safety of others. He is always willing to help and step up when required. He is a valued member of the PSA and ICU teams.”

Narkita Van Ekeren, NUM ICU had this to say about Peter– “Peter is reliable, friendly, dependable and there is no job he isn’t willing to do.  Peter always conducts his work day in a positive manner and is a well-established member of the team. Peter takes pride in teaching new PSA staff the role of the ICU PSA.”

Kindness Award: Karen Luchetta

“Karen is great with patients, kind to everyone and willing to do whatever is needed to help. She is kind and caring and always willing to assist her colleagues and nursing staff and goes above and beyond.”

Miguel Barros, Support Services Manager,  had this to add, “Karen is always kind to patients, visitors and colleagues. She is a great mentor to PSAs trainees, helping them to settle in quickly. Karen does favours without asking anything in return.”

Together Award: Bryan Nicholson and Cheryl Jenner – Ward 6 

“Cheryl and Brian work so well together on Ward 6. The ward always looks so clean and they always have a smile on their faces. They are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything is perfect for the nursing teams and patients. You can tell that they take extra care with what they do.”

Nicole Campbell, Clinical Nurse Consultant –  Infection Prevention had this to say about Cheryl and Bryan –“Cheryl and Brian work so well together on Ward 6. The ward always looks so clean and they always have a smile on their faces. They are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything is perfect for the nursing teams and patients. You can tell that they take extra care with what they do.”

Please join us in congratulating Peter, Karen, Cheryl and Bryan!

The next Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards ceremony will be broadcasted as a video stream on in March. More details will follow.

Featured image shows from left to right: Bryan, Cheryl, Karen and Peter.

Thanks to the generosity of The Muriel and Les Batten Foundation, our Birthing Suite received a $25,000 grant to purchase a new, state-of-the art-Panda Warmer, an essential piece of equipment in the critical care of newborns.

We were thrilled to welcome Bruce and Colleen Batten, representatives of The Muriel and Les Batten Foundation, to Northern Hospital Epping this week. Bruce, a trustee and nephew of the late Muriel and Les, placed a plaque on the Panda Warmer acknowledging the generosity and support they have shown Northern Health.

Bruce and Colleen met with Pamela Doherty, Birthing Suite Acting Nurse Unit Manager, and representatives from Northern Health Foundation to see the Panda Warmer on the ward and receive a demonstration from Pamela to highlight the features and benefits of the new equipment.

The new Panda Warmer will make a significant difference to our most vulnerable patients who require support after birth.

We all know the best place for a newborn is in the loving arms of mum or dad, however, there are times when they need a little extra care and attention. When signs appear during labour, a precious newborn may need a little help.

The Panda Warmer is specifically designed to swing into action and give our medical teams’ access to all the tools in one place at one time.

“This equipment is really the first line of resuscitation. Having this new Panda Warmer on the floor is going to make such a difference,” Pamela said.

Featured Image: Bruce Batten placing the acknowledgment plaque on the new Panda Warmer 

More northern suburbs residents will get the mental health support they need, thanks to the new Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (HOPE) service at Northern Hospital in Epping this week.

Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown, announced the start of the HOPE service at Northern Hospital.

“This new service in Epping means people across the North-Western region who are in crisis can receive care and support in their community,” she said. 

“I have no doubt the new HOPE clinical team will make a real difference to the lives of many people living in our area.”

The HOPE program is a follow-up and aftercare service for people 16 years of age or more who attend a hospital in crisis or following a suicide attempt. It provides a comprehensive program of clinical and community-based support to people who are at risk, helping them to identify and build strategies to prevent suicide.

Delivered by NorthWestern  Mental Health Service, the HOPE service at Northern Hospital Epping provides a 12-week program of clinical and social support tailored to individuals and their support networks including family, friends, carers, community cultural leaders and Elders.

HOPE Program Manager Saron Lont said: “The HOPE service provides a valuable opportunity for people who present to the ED post suicide attempt, to work alongside a community development worker, supported by a clinician and a consultant psychiatrist. The service will assist the person, and their support network, to develop improved coping strategies and linkages.”

Yvette Woodburn, HOPE team leader said it was great to see the program officially launched.

“We have now employed our whole team and are starting to see consumers through the service and look forward to this important work in the community,” Yvette said.

The HOPE service responds to evidence that a previous suicide attempt is one of the strongest predictors of a future attempt, and has been highly successful, with consumers, carers and mental health workers reporting positive experiences and improved participant recovery rates.

Dr Megan Robb, Director Northern Hospital Emergency Department said: “The HOPE programs allow our patients to receive much needed care in the community, with their supports rather than being in a hospital environment. The program enables the patient to be linked into better community supports that addresses all the psychosocial aspects of their distress, rather than having to navigate a complex system with often long waits to receive help and support.”

Emergency Physician, Dr Shu Ooi, has been working with the NWMH team in the planning and development of the service and model of care. He was also the first clinician from the Emergency Department to make a referral to the program.

The state-wide HOPE service expansion was a recommendation from the interim report of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System,  expanding the HOPE service from 12 to 21 areas throughout Victoria, ensuring greater access to this important service.

 

Featured image (left to right): HOPE team – Sharon Lont , Stephanie Morrell, Elizabeth Hooper, Yvette Woodburn, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP

We are delighted to announce Northern Health’s volunteer and consumer, Emel Huseyin, was awarded Hume Citizen of the Year by Hume City Council.

The council explained their decision, saying, “Emel has been recognised for her passion and drive to create a better community in all facets. Emel is generous with her time, and volunteers for more than 10 community groups in Hume such as; Northern Health Hospitals, Homestead Community Centre, and Centenary of Federation to name a few. No matter what Emel invests her time and energy in, she always promises to leave it in a better place than it was before.”

Emel joined the Northern Health Consumer Network in September 2015.

“She is an active and valued member of the Northern Health Consumer Health Network and the Volunteer Services Team at Northern Health,” said Henni Wade, Manager of Volunteer Services.

As a Northern Health consumer, Emel is involved with staff on committees, with the aim to improve the patient experience through quality improvement work. Emel currently sits on the National Safety & Quality Health Services Standard Five: Northern Health Nutrition & Hydration sub group-clinical improvement committee and the Support Services Cleaning committee.

“I am a passionate advocate for optimising patient meals and meal time experience. As part of my role in the committee, I contributed to the expansion of the range of Halal diet codes offered at Northern Health. The committee was successful in implementing a light Halal diet code. I have also worked on development of the Victorian Paediatric Menu Standards,” she said.

Emel also volunteers at Broadmeadows Hospital. She spends time in the Dialysis Unit and chats to patients and offers refreshments and also visits Turkish patients on the wards.

“I act as a support person particularly to Turkish families, giving information about how the hospital runs and the services available. Through this, I help people navigate the health care system. This helps reduce anxiety patients might have, as it clarifies expectations and processes which may be different to overseas healthcare,” she said.

During COVID-19 lockdowns, face to face volunteering wasn’t possible, but Emel was able to find ways to continue to volunteer from the safety of her home, participating in the mask-making project where over 2,000 hand-made masks were made for our staff to wear on their days off. Masks were also distributed to a target group of vulnerable residents residing within our community.

“Emel will go out of her way to help others and her strong desire to immerse herself into a wide range of community activities is admired. Emel’s desire to be active and involved in her local community is inspirational,” said Henni.

“I am grateful to whomever nominated me. It is a great honour to receive this award. It is wonderful, thank you very much,” Emel added.

Photo: hume.vic.gov.au

The Northern Centre for Health Education & Research (NCHER) Reproductive Health Biobank celebrated a major milestone this month, with the 100th donor recruited to this flagship research project in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

“We have been so encouraged by the overwhelming support from our community for this project,” said co-director of the Biobank, Associate Professor Lisa Hui.

“Over 80 per cent of pregnant women that we approach to donate their blood or placental samples have been happy to contribute, which is a fantastic recruitment rate.”

“The successful launch of our Biobank is due in large part to our wonderful research midwife, Eleanor Johnson, who explains the project to pregnant women at Northern Health and invites them to participate. Even though we had to stop recruitment during most of 2020 due to the pandemic restrictions, we have reached our 100th recruit in just over one year,” says Lisa.

Lisa explains that many serious complications of pregnancy have their origins in abnormal placental development.

“Our patients are very keen to help us make inroads into understanding conditions such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction,” she said.

University of Melbourne PhD student, Natasha de Alwis, has already used samples from the Biobank to make a novel discovery about the role of a gene (DAAM2) in placental dysfunction. Her work has just been accepted for publication in the prestigious journal, Scientific Reports. Natasha, who is supervised by co-director of the Biobank, Associate Professor Natalie Hannan, also won the 2020 Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Faculty Early Career Research Award.

“The Biobank has been a really important resource for me to conduct my PhD research. Having these valuable samples collected and stored with state-of-the art methods means that I can quickly answer important questions that arise during my work,” says Natasha.

The Biobank team expressed their gratitude to maternity services, the caesarean midwives, the Broadmeadows Hospital Family Planning Clinic team, Broadmeadows Hospital and Northern Hospital theatre staff and Northern Pathology Victoria.

Says Eleanor, “Without their assistance and support of the Biobank, this achievement would not have been possible.”

More exciting collaborations are planned for 2021, including research into the impact of pregnancy hormones on women’s immune function with NHMRC early career fellow Dr Boris Novakovic from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

The NCHER Biobank is funded by Northern Health and the University of Melbourne, with additional grant funding from the Melbourne Academic Centre for Health, Northern Health Foundation and philanthropic funding.

Featured image shows research midwife Eleanor Johnson

As the first COVID-19 vaccinations begin to be administered across the state, Northern Health is preparing to launch our own vaccination centre for those living in Melbourne’s north.

In partnership with the North Eastern Hub led by Austin Health, Northern Health’s initial focus will be providing vaccinations to residential aged care facilities in our catchment area, along with our frontline staff, commencing early March. Staff vaccinations will take place in the Transit Lounge of the new building.

Debra Bourne, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, explained our staff will be notified via email and SMS to make an appointment and book their vaccine, with a link provided.

“Northern Heath is really excited to be opening this vaccination unit in the new building and the role it will play in keeping our staff and community safe. We are proud to have a role to play in this vaccination program over the next few months,” she said.

Northern Health is providing additional specialised training to staff working in the hub, led by Lumnise Gashi, Vaccination Unit Nurse Unit Manager.

“Our nurses are receiving additional training and will be required to complete this before they commence. To be able to work in the hub, the nurses will complete a Commonwealth and state course to ensure they have the right skills and training to provide safe immunisations. The course is now available through the LMS,” she said.

Lora Davies, Director of Nursing, added that the team has been overwhelmed by people wanting to support this program.

“That is a real indication of our staff, and how dedicated they have been. I am proud of the level of commitment everyone has shown,” she said.

Jier Nguyen, Associate Director, Pharmacy Operations, explained that from the logistics point of view, Pharmacy is ready to receive and store the vaccines.

“Pharmacy is proud to be a part of the vaccination unit, playing a crucial role in logistics and making sure the vaccine is stored appropriately. We had to purchase extra equipment to ensure the maximum amount of doses out of the vial and the team has bought a special fridge for the vaccines to ensure storage at appropriate temperature,” he explained.

A/Prof Craig Aboltins, Director of Infectious Diseases, added that Northern Health’s COVID-19 response was an integral part of the state response, and vaccination is an extension of that.

“Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you from getting sick from COVID-19, and the vaccines being used in Australia are very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life. Before vaccines are made available in Australia, they need to pass strict Australian safety standards.”

Featured image (left to right): Luma Gashi, A/Prof Craig Aboltins, Lora Davies, Jier Nguyen