Building for a brighter future - GHA Central

Review of Operations: Acute (Hospital) Services
This Interim Care Program provides
patients, who require supported care
on an ongoing basis, with interim
accommodation at Neerim District
Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital whilst
awaiting placement at a nursing
home facility. Twenty two people
were accommodated in Interim
Care this year, an increase of 48%
from last year.
Palliative Care is a 24 hour a day
service, provided by District Nursing,
supporting terminally ill patients and
their families.
There were 5485 District Nursing visits
this year, 55% more than last year.
Surgical Ward, Day Surgery
Unit and Paediatrics
The Surgical Ward participated in
the trial of the National Inpatient
Medication Chart, introduced this
year. All staff completed the Falls
Prevention and Pressure Ulcer
Prevention Programs education
package.
The Day Surgery Unit continues to
be very busy with up to 30 patients
a week having surgery and other
treatments carried out as day only
patients.
Colourful murals painted in some
patient rooms have brightened the
Paediatric Ward providing additional
distraction and enjoyment for
children during their hospital stay.
An information booklet for families
of children being transferred to
the Royal Children’s Hospital was
developed. A shared care initiative
with the Royal Children’s enables
seriously ill local children to receive
some of their care at WGH. A Nurse
Educator assists paediatric staff to
develop and maintain specialised
nursing skills specific to paediatric
care.
Emergency Department (ED)
Presentations to the Emergency
Department remain high with 14,949
presentations this year. Patient
assessment tools were reviewed with
an emphasis on screening patients
who may have an increased risk of
falling or developing pressure ulcers.
Patients identified as being ‘at risk’
are referred for additional assessment
and strategies implemented to ensure
their care.
The Department’s Senior Medical
Officer leads the Emergency
Department Incident and Complaints
Team (EDICAT), a group that reviews
incidents and complaints and has a
role in developing treatment guidelines
and patient management plans.
Breast Care Service
All elective surgery patients
undergoing surgery for breast cancer
are invited to meet with the Breast
Care Nurse prior to their operation.
This helps to ease anxiety and
provides the opportunity to ask
questions about what to expect
after their operation. The Breast
Care Nurse also acts as a resource
to other staff caring for breast
surgery patients. Due to increasing
commitments in Melbourne, Breast
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
Emergency Dept. Presentations
14,949
2006
15,074
2005
27
15,401
2004
15,500
2003
14,330
2002
Emergency Department presentations have
remained consistent over the past five years.
Chairo Christian
School students
Nicholas Watson (left)
and Jenna Pedersen
present Ward 2
Clinical Nurse
Manager, Helen
Dunlop, with the
proceeds raised at
the school’s ‘Let’s add
colour to kid’s ward’
fundraiser.
Surgeon, Dr Jenny Senior, no longer
provides a surgical service at WGH.
Our community has benefited from
Dr Senior’s input and expertise
for more than a decade. We wish
her well.
Haemodialysis
Research has demonstrated that
clients undertaking exercise during
dialysis have a reduction in phosphate
levels and an increased sense of
wellbeing following dialysis treatment.
To improve outcomes for WGHG
dialysis clients, an exercise machine
is now available for clients to use
during treatment. A Plasma Exchange
Program was introduced this year for
maintenance treatment of patients
suffering specific kidney and nervous
system conditions. Clients with
additional medical conditions can
now receive dialysis treatment over
four or five days per week, rather
than the usual three days per week.
Undergoing shorter dialysis sessions
more often reduces the impact on
other medical conditions.
High Dependency Unit (HDU)
Due to Stage III Redevelopment,
the HDU was relocated in February.
The Unit utilised some areas in
the Medical Ward and the Midwifery
Ward. Even though conditions were
cramped, patient care was maintained.
The cooperation and patience of staff,
patients and visitors assisted the
smooth transition of services into
these areas.
Infection Control
The appropriate disposal of waste has
been a priority this year. A waste audit
of prescribed waste was completed