New eMeds system supports safer care for mums and bubs Royal North Shore and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospitals have launched the use of the eMeds electronic medication management system (eMeds) in their maternity and neonatal units. The new system replaces paper medication charts in antenatal clinics and neonatal wards, delivering safer and more connected care for mothers and newborns. Staff have said the new system is already making a difference by reducing the likelihood some positive feedback about the launch and the transition. “From the maternity unit’s perspective, this implementation demonstrates a highly collaborative effort involving midwives, neonatologists, pharmacists, and digital health staff,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who contributed to bringing this important improvement into being.”
of handwriting-related errors, improved access to medication records, and automatic reporting of vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register. Midwife Kezia Riggs from Hornsby’s special care nursery said one of the biggest benefits is how easy it is for doctors to make changes. “It is super helpful that doctors can now change medication orders remotely,” she said. RNSH Maternity Unit Manager Mary Cameron also provided
Staff have been all smiles with the eMeds system
A two-hour nap is all part of the job Fran is not like other healthcare workers: she needs a two-hour nap in the middle of the day, likes to eat carrots from patients and enjoys her back being scratched.
to wear the harness), but she is proving she is a real asset in healthcare, brightening peoples day and helping patients to more comfortably engage with their treating teams. One consumer refused to engage with his clinicians but after building a rapport with Fran, he was able to walk around with her and chat to others, eventually leading to him seeing his psychiatrist and talking about his history. Fran works with about five clinicians in the team. Each has a bed and dog toys in their office so she can skip off for a nap in the middle of the day. At night, she goes home with Alex. The team is conducting research into the impact Fran is having on consumers and staff,
Fran might be a golden retriever, but she is a fully-fledged member of the allied health team at Macquarie Hospital, which is s a dedicated mental health facility. Fran is used by clinicians to build a rapport with patients who may be experiencing mental ill health, such as low mood or anxiety, or low social engagement. She is able to break down barriers, enable consumers to open up and interact with psychiatrists and other healthcare workers, as part of the Animal Assisted Therapy Model of Care. Working three days a week, Fran is a hit with the patients who love to feed her carrots – a healthy treat so she won’t put on weight – and sit with her. Occupational Therapy Team Manager Alex Kelly said having a dog as part of the clinical team was a first and was proving to be successful in a person’s treatment. “She has been fantastic for the consumers. She lights up everyone’s faces,” Alex said. “It is wonderful when I see a consumer who usually doesn’t smile light up when they see Fran” Fran flunked guide dog training (she didn’t like
Fran
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