ARCHI Net News

Welcome to the July edition of ARCHI Net News

Our new content this month boasts not only some great innovations in healthcare, but also some innovations on the ARCHI site, as we move into new formats.  Take a look at our new video content on the Patient Story library and the Innovations in Clinical Practice seminar.

Happy reading from the ARCHI Team!

In this issue...

• Innovations in Clinical Practice Seminar 2008
• Patient and Carer Experience Videos
• Contact Centre (Single Point of Access) Forum
• Walgan Tilly - Chronic Care for Aboriginal People

Innovations in Clinical Practice Seminar 2008

This seminar promotes achievements in clinical practice development by clinical nurses and midwives in the Hunter New England Area Health Service.

• The Journey of the Greater Newcastle Cluster Wound Management Model, Margo Asimus
  A description of the analysis and processes used to develop a comprehensive Wound Management Model.
• Fracture Recognition and Management, Kerry Cooper
  A program to improve recognition, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis for patients with a fracture, by developing a referral and management process.
• Testicular Self Examination, Scott Riley and Andrew Martin
  The 'Pit Stop' health promotion program for young males in the school environment to learn consequences of high risk behaviours and to promote self examination and early detection and treatment of testicular cancer.
• Refugee Health Nursing in Rural Settings, Joy Harrison
  The Multicultural Health Unit in Newcastle provides two part time nurses and one Doctor to address specific refugee health needs. Joy describes how this works in practice.
• H.U.S.H, Helen Scott, RM
  HUSH is a breastfeeding support protocol and staff education package developed by a team from Muswellbrook and Scone maternity units and a community representative.
• Management of the Deteriorating Patient in a Rural Hospital, Christine Somerville and Sharon Nash
  The introduction of systems - MERIS, MEWS and PEWS - to identify and respond to deteriorating patients in rural hospitals.
• Management of Ambulatory Infusion, Pauline Dobson
  The establishment and management of an infusion lounge for ambulatory patients.
• Responding to the Voice of the Patient: Advancing the Enablement Philosophy, Susan Scaife
  Implementation of the enablement philosophy in acute units to prevent a decrease in patients' functional capacity.
• Roadblocks to Bowel Care, Natalie Hicks
  The difficulties encountered in facilitating practice change relating to bowel care management across a variety of health care settings.

Patient and Carer Experience Videos

The patient story library has been expanded to include a collection of videos. Video is a great sensory medium that can capture human aspects in a powerful way that other mediums can't including:

• atmosphere
• feelings
• immediate/spontaneous thoughts
• reactions
• emotions

It is hoped that by gaining a better understanding of real experiences, health professionals will be inspired to initiate and implement strategies that will deliver better future experiences.

 

Contact Centre (Single Point of Access) Forum

Contact Centres are part of NSW Health’s strategy to deliver better care for the elderly and people with chronic diseases.

Contact Centres act as a single point of access for referral into and navigation of the health system. The Contact Centre provides benefits to patients, carers and service providers in multiple ways:

• Easier access to services for patients/clients and their carers including ease of discharge from acute care services.
• A more timely, streamlined and responsive referral process for professionals and service providers including GPs.
• More appropriate referrals and better coordination of care for services involved.

This forum was to highlight the resources and process of implementing a Contact Centre in NSW.

The page has presentations and associated resources to support Contact Centres.

 

Walgan Tilly - Chronic Care for Aboriginal People

The Chronic Care for Aboriginal People (Walgan Tilly) Clinical Services Redesign project was developed from a number of established NSW Health initiatives in an attempt to address the disparities in health care and improve access to and utilisation of chronic care services for Aboriginal people in NSW.

The main goals of the project were:

• Develop practical steps and real solutions to improving access to chronic disease services for Aboriginal families and communities.
• Build working relationships between Aboriginal and chronic disease services.
• Identify and share of best practice in meeting the needs of Aboriginal people with chronic disease.