Ground breaking approach to emergency care in NSW New funding will see a
overcrowded waiting rooms, ambulance ramping, time- poor clinicians and long wait times,” she said. “Overcrowding causes delays in treatment and diagnosis, leading to adverse events and poor patient outcomes. “Our current models of care are not equipped to deal with this or designed to help patients move through ED efficiently in these situations.” “The EPIC-START model of care however, will implement data analytic tools and evidence-based clinical pathways to improve patient flow.” The model focuses on faster decision-making and delivery of care. Validated decision support tools will be used at triage to stream patients to various parts of the hospital, with treatments commenced earlier using standardised nurse-initiated pathways across all common illnesses presenting to ED.
“The project will upskill emergency nurses to ensure all patients attending emergency departments have access to earlier evidence- based interventions, like pain relief, blood tests and x-rays, rather than waiting hours for a despite early interventions will be flagged to senior doctors using electronic alerts based on data in the electronic medical record. This will improve efficiency and safety. “Our approach is founded on reviews of the literature, our local research outcomes and our real-world experience in emergency departments over the past decade. It’s now time to upscale this model for all NSW emergency patients. doctor to order them. “Those who deteriorate “We would like to see a stronger system where all Australians have timely access to high-quality, patient centred emergency care, by using sustainable and data- driven approaches.”
large-scale project launched across NSW to significantly improve patient outcomes and experiences in emergency departments. Chief investigator and senior NSLHD clinician researcher Professor Margaret Fry said more than $2.8 million will be invested in the EPIC- START program, giving patients better access to early evidence-based treatment pathways. Thirty emergency departments will initially be involved in the project which is aimed at achieving better outcomes through earlier decisions, delivery of care and detection of clinical deterioration. Professor Fry said a new approach is needed with our emergency departments across NSW facing unprecedented demand. “We know that millions of Australians seeking care in our EDs are confronted by
Hornsby Hospital is brushing up on its oral hygiene skills It is the daily ritual that can be sometimes overlooked when patients come to hospital with illness or injury, but brushing our pearly whites is vital for preventing further infections. The BRUSH project has been Clinical Nurse Consultant Michelle Noon said poor oral hygiene led to an increase in hospital acquired respiratory infections. “When we surveyed some patients about if they wanted any oral equipment (like
launched recently aiming to improve patients’ oral hygiene practices while they are in hospital. BRUSH stands for Brush your teeth, Rinse when appropriate, Sit patient Upright, Standardise practice, Hand out oral health products. Led by clinical nurse consultants, speech pathologists and the dental clinic, BRUSH raises the awareness among nursing staff, patients and their carers of the importance of keeping up our daily routine of brushing teeth.
toothbrushes) they said no and they were treating their stay in hospital like an oral hygiene holiday,” she said. “Once you explain there is a direct link between poor oral hygiene and health acquired respiratory infections, many don’t realise. “One of the barriers for patients, especially during these recent times, is that they present to emergency department with COVID-19 and aren’t prepared, so they are admitted and don’t realise
they can ask a nurse for toothbrushes.”
Patients will see posters and tooth brushing prompts in the wards, while staff are being trained in prioritising access to oral health products for patients, as well as assisting patients who need help.
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 8 | 6 MAY 2022
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