AUGUST 2 0 2 1
ED I T I ON 8
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT -
Comprehensive Care Standard
THE ARRT OF TELEHEALTH
ARRT has since initiated a collaborative project with NSW Ambulance to enable all general paramedics to videoconference with ARRT, further preventing avoidable hospitalisations. The success of the project has seen an expansion to two other geriatric outreach teams in NSLHD. The project was selected as an exemplar for 'Telehealth models of care' by the Agency for Clinical Innovation, allowing other teams to replicate improvements elsewhere using existing NSW Health technology. Complimentary to this initiative is the development of an innovative clinical decision tool website: www.detect.snhn.net, by ARRT in partnership with the Primary Health Network, and the NSLHD aged care outreach teams: Beaches Rapid Access Care of the Elderly (BRACE) and Geriatric Rapid Acute Care Evaluation (GRACE). The DETECT website provides advice on how to detect, manage and seek help for an unwell resident at risk of hospitalisation. The ARRT of Telehealth project won the Local Solutions Award in this year’s NSLHD Quality and Improvement Awards and is nominated for the 2021 Premier's Awards.
Rapid specialist geriatric multidisciplinary videoconferencing for unwell residents of residential aged care facilities has led to improved efficiency by enhancing triage and capacity to assess more patients. Initially starting as a six-month videoconferencing pilot in 2019 to six residential aged care facilities, expedited by the COVID-19 outbreak, the service has expanded to all residential aged care facilities in the Lower North Shore and Ryde / Hunters Hill regions. Due to the overwhelming success of the project, videoconference consultation is now core business for the Aged Care Rapid Response Team (ARRT). The project led by Dr James Hardy and Clinical Nurse Consultant Therese Jepson has resulted in a statistically significant reduction in avoidable hospital presentations despite a reduction in home visits, indicating more people were treated safely in their usual environment and not transferred to hospital. The number of ARRT interventions resulting in hospital avoidance has increased by ~17% from 32.8 per cent in 2018 to 49.6 per cent in 2020-2021. Avoidable ED presentations from residential aged care facilities declined from an average of 28 presentations per month to 17.65, a 37% reduction. This has led to an estimated annual cost savings of $669,190.
How do I start an improvement project? Find out more on the Clinical Governance Quality Improvement Intranet site, Innovation Hub or contact your local facility or service Quality Advisor Check out the video showcasing the ARRT of Telehealth project and all the finalist projects on the 2021 NSLHD Quality and Improvement webpage
Aged Care Rapid Response team, North Shore Ryde Service
TRIAL ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENTS (UPDATE)
NSLHD has engaged independent, experienced Assessors to conduct Trial Accreditation Assessments against the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, at Ryde (3 - 4 August) and Hornsby (31 Aug – 2 Sept 2021) hospitals. Within a virtual environment, the Assessors will assist our accreditation preparations by; observing practice, talking to staff and patients, reviewing evidence and identifying and reporting any areas for improvement, to ensure our patients receive the standard of care as defined by the National Standards.
For further information contact your local Quality and Safety or Clinical Governance Unit, or Annette.Penney@health.nsw.gov.au (National Safety & Quality Health Service Accreditation Manager)
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