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Royal North Shore Hospital Nursing and Midwifery
Message from the DONM
Tracey Gray, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, RNSH
The jacaranda is in bloom again so it must be November. The year has been an unusual one for the world and health has been at the forefront caring for our patients through a pandemic which like the year is now winding down. Just like the year it is not over yet. The vaccination program is now broadening to children so we should begin to see even fewer cases as the vaccination rates rise. I don ’ t know about you but I am now feeling optimistic that we may once again be able to focus on some of the work that has been on hold during the pandemic. As some of the restrictions ease it is important to stay up to date with the latest advice for healthcare workers. For example it is now mandatory for healthcare workers to wear a surgical mask and eye protection when within 1.5 metres of a patient. Nigel Lyons, Deputy Secretary, Health System Strategy and Planning recently announced that he Risk Escalation Panel has determined that the levels of transmission in the community warrant maintenance of Red Level Alert in line with the COVID - 19 Infection Prevention and Control Manual. This advice means all LHDs and Specialty Health Networks across NSW remain under red alert level directions until further notice. All staff working in public health services and multipurpose services across NSW are directed to maintain PPE precautions in accordance with the Red Alert Level set out in the CEC COVID - 19 Infection Prevention and Control Manual this includes: Universal surgical mask use by all staff who work across NSW Health campuses and Eye protection when within 1.5m of a patient Please ensure you follow these instructions until advised we no longer need to do so. Infection control is everybody ’ s business.
Emergency Nurses Australasia (CENA) Australasian Emergency Department of the Year. It has been 7 years since an emergency department in NSW has won this award. The submission was truly impressive , outlining the many quality initiatives they have been leading in recent times.
Well done to you all. Your colleagues are very proud of your achievements.
The work that has been on the back burner as mentioned above is finally being revisited. The Skin Integrity Committee and the RNSH Quality and Safety Committee recently identified a potential issue with the prevention of pressure injuries of the heel. There have been a number of stage 3, 4 and unstageable injuries that are of concern. This is in part driven by the acuity and complexity of our patients which is certainly again on the rise. The Skin Integrity Committee has formed a project group to review practice in this area and trial new approaches to prevention. We will highlight that work in the coming months and provide some practical strategies for adoption in all wards. Finally it is almost tinsel trophy time again. More information will follow soon. Get planning and have some fun.
Recently our Emergency Department Nursing team won a very prestigious award in the College of
Thank you everyone.
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