Message from the Executive Director

Tami Photinos, Executive Director

Yesterday was Anzac Day when we honour those who served and still serve in the protection of our nation. For many staff at TPCH, this national day of remembrance holds great personal meaning through the experience and suffering of loved ones who served and sacrificed for the freedom that we as Australians enjoy today. There are still many veterans and current service people across our organisation who have contributed to this freedom. Let’s pay our respects to the Anzacs who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all.  Lest we forget.

Executive update

New appointments

In the last fortnight, we have welcomed our two newest Executive members, Dr Julieanne Graham, Director Medical Services and Drew Kear, Director of Operations Heart and Lung.  We are pleased to have such experienced health leaders on our team and I know Julieanne and Drew are looking forward to meeting with the teams across TPCH in the coming weeks.

Executive walkarounds

Director Medical Services Dr Julieanne Graham and I visited the Pharmacy Department this week as part of Julieanne’s introduction to TPCH.  Julieanne and I spoke with Director Ross McDougall and senior members of the team about innovative medicines management models of care, antimicrobial stewardship and trends in medicines expenditure among other things. TPCH Pharmacy is a Health Round Table exemplar site for the provision of medicines reconciliation services on admission to, and discharge from hospital. These services prevent medicines misadventure, reduce length of stay and prevent hospital readmission.

Also this week, Director Finance, Darren Ransom; Director Corporate Services, Bretine Curtis; Manager Facility and Support Services, Bianca Sullivan and I popped down to the Food Services Department where we had the chance to view some of the new equipment which has been purchased through TPCH Asset Management Committee. This busy department of approximately 140 staff produces around 58,000 meals every month, and was the first public hospital in Queensland to introduce the Room Service model. They play an important role in ensuring patients have their nutritional needs met while enjoying a high-quality care experience. A big thanks to Kai Elmas, Rahul Raj and the team for taking the time to show us around.

With the staff influenza vaccination program starting last week, I rolled up my sleeve to receive my flu jab to make sure I’m protected in the lead up to winter. TPCH is tracking well with 35 percent of staff already vaccinated. A great effort! Staff can obtain their free vaccination by visiting the Infection Control Unit Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm on Level 3, Clinical Sciences Building.  Areas can also book the flu trolley by contacting Infection Control on phone 3139 4894 or email: TPCHInfectionManagementService@health.qld.gov.au  Separate vaccinations are available for over 65s and under 65s.

April No Falls

A big thanks to all staff who participated in April No Falls activities at TPCH. We had a good level of interest and engagement from many teams, highlighting TPCH’s commitment to falls prevention. The theme for the month was ‘Move, move, move’ which promoted safe movement during hospital stays using a sporting focus. We even had the revival of TPCH’s well known falls icon, Humpty Dumpty who has extensive experience in falls management.

Throughout the month, staff have had the chance to attend rolling education in services delivered by the Quality Effectiveness Support (QuEST), Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy teams across all wards.  A special mention goes to QuEST CNC Tracy Nowicki and the team for their efforts in hosting a Statewide Falls symposium which included a range of interactive presentations highlighting various community and impatient falls initiatives. Congratulations again to the CAM Unit who was the overall winner of the ward decoration competition and a big thanks to Wards 1A, 1G and 2C for their great exhibits. All wards had an excellent focus on the patient experience.

If you are interested in joining TPCH’s Falls Working Group please phone Jessica Schluter in the Safety and Quality Unit on ext. 7257 or email: Jessica.Schluter@health.qld.gov.au

FAST FACTS

This week we’ll profile the Fast Review and Integrated Liaison (FRAIL) service.

Did you know:

• 

  FRAIL team

  The FRAIL service comprises a specialist multi-disciplinary team providing comprehensive care for geriatric patients across the whole hospital journey.

• The FRAIL team partners with ED clinicians to maximise and fast track decision making for frail, vulnerable adults in the ED.
• Patients supported by the FRAIL team receive a specialised review in the emergency department (ED) by nurses, allied health practitioners and geriatricians.
• The team provides expert advice and liaison for community services and discharge planning.
• The team provides outreach support to 26 residential facilities in TPCH catchment, working with nursing staff and GPs to provide care to patients in a familiar environment.
• The average length of stay in TPCH Emergency Department is 300 minutes for older patients over 75, which is half the national average and the shortest length of stay across Metro North.

Staff profile

Today we’ll profile Senior Administration Officer, Medical Imaging, Kirra-Lee Tomkinson. Kirra is responsible for providing administrative support to the Director of Medical Imaging which includes coordinating meetings with internal and external stakeholders and associated duties such as agendas and minutes. She also undertakes rostering, leave planning and payroll tasks to support senior medical officers and registrars within the department.

Having worked across a variety of administration roles and areas since starting at TPCH in 2019, Kirra values variety in her work. She is passionate about performing her job at a high standard and in a timely way to ensure the department runs efficiently and is well supported.

Outside of work, Kirra loves being an aunty to 13 nieces and nephews. She enjoys going for bike rides with her partner along the waterfront after work and on weekends.

Closing thought

In reflection on Anzac Day, we are reminded of the importance of service to others. The Anzac legends provided the ultimate service and sacrifice to our country – a service which allowed us to live a life of freedom, safety, choice and comfort. It is often easy to take things for granted and forget how we got to the place we are today.

We have freedom to work, to earn money, to access health care, to buy items of our choice, to own assets, to have pets, to go on holidays. The list goes on. These are some of the great rewards of freedom created overtime through the service of others.

In health care, we are in the business of serving others to improve people’s health and well-being. We are privileged to be able to serve people at their lowest and highest points in life and be part of their journey. Behind this service is all of our values – respect, integrity, compassion, high performance and teamwork. These are the foundations of high level service to others.

When we go through demanding periods, it is important to remember why we are all here – to serve and care for others. As the Anzacs remind us, with great service comes great sacrifice. In health care, we face challenges, we deal with life and we deal with the loss of life.

No matter what happens, service to others remains our main obligation and this allows us to continue providing the best possible care and support to our patients and each other. Thank you all for your service.

Tami.