DECEMBER 2022 TISSUE ANALYTICS APP NSLHD is currently undertaking a trial of a wound care mobile application that uses image recognition technology to accurately measure a wound's dimensions and surface area, at a 90% greater accuracy than a traditional ruler measurement. The Tissue Analytics app is also able to analyse the tissue composition of a wound, as well as detect minute changes in wound size. These functionalities combined can greatly assist clinicians in determining the best treatment options for their patients and consumers. The app's consumer interface allows patients and consumers access to all photos and measurements of their wounds taken by the clinician. Patients and consumers are also able to take a photo and upload an image of their wounds onto the app, which alerts their treating clinician to assess, follow up or refer as required. The app is currently being trialled with 20 wound clinicians across the district until June 2023. This simple app, utilising novel technology, has the potential to revolutionise the way we care for wounds in NSLHD.
EDITION 21
Comprehensive Care Standard
Fig 1. Patient app view
Fig 2. Picture of wound
Fig 3. Tissue analytics measurements and composition analysis
Contact: Lizanne.Dalgleish@health.nsw.gov.au (A/Skin Integrity Improvement Facilitator, NSLHD Clinical Governance)
USER GUIDE FOR REVIEWING CLINICAL VARIATION
Clinical Governance Standard
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed an interactive online User Guide for Reviewing Clinical Variation , making it easier for health services to use data to support appropriate care and access practical case studies. The User Guide can support clinicians in using a clinical variation approach to align health care with patients’ needs and prevent harm, as well as focus on the most effective care
and reduce unnecessary treatment. Why measure clinical variation?
Clinical variation is a difference in healthcare processes or outcomes, compared to peers or to a gold standard such as an evidence-based guideline recommendation. Substantial variation in healthcare outcomes or processes is an alarm bell that should make us stop and investigate whether appropriate care is being delivered. Variation in itself is not necessarily bad. When it reflects differences in patients’ needs, it can be an indicator of good quality healthcare. When it doesn’t reflect patients’ needs, it is ‘unwarranted’ and represents an opportunity for a health service to improve its performance. Regular reviews of clinical variation data to investigate and reduce unwarranted variation are a requirement of the Clinical Governance Standard in the National Safety and Quality in Health Services Standards (Action 1.28). The User Guide presents a six-step approach to using clinical variation data to improve care:
Select priority areas for exploring variation Plan the project 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Case Studies of Clinical Variation in Health Care Measure and review your data Explore reasons for variation Act to improve care Monitor and report on the impact of improvement activities.
Practical case studies showcase best practice and innovation in the review of clinical variation, across healthcare settings. They include topics ranging from hip fracture surgery, stroke, cardiac events and colonoscopy, as well as new case studies on perineal trauma in childbirth, reducing preterm and planned early term births and improving end-of-life care.
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