Dear colleagues,
Fit testing on P2/N95 masks
Over the last few weeks, we have had a good uptake of fit testing sessions and we continue to provide more mask options for staff in these times of demand.
Please encourage staff who have been only fit tested to one mask to come back for another mask fitting. This will give at least two masks options for each staff member. The fit testing sessions are advertised on the extranet fit testing schedule and will be increased over the next few weeks.
Please contact MNHHSFitTestingProgram@health.qld.gov.au for any questions.
I would like to invite you to the 2021 Metro North Health Safety and Quality Forum.
Date: Friday 22 October 2021
Time: 8am-5pm
Location: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Forum is an annual event for Metro North Health staff and consumers aimed at increasing awareness and highlighting excellence in Safety and Quality.
This year the theme is about having courageous conversations with our colleagues, consumers and community around safety and quality.
The program is still in development, but we are proud to announce the opening keynote from human rights activist and former Socceroo Craig Foster AM.
Registration:
There is no cost for Metro North staff to attend but, in the event a registered delegate does not attend they will be deemed as a “no-show” and will be charged $65ex GST person to the provided cost centre.
Registration is now open and with a reduced COVID capacity, now is the time to secure your spot. (Please open the registration link in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge)
If you have any questions, please let me know. I look forward to seeing you in October.
Blood Management Standard
National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards – Standard 7 – Blood Management was presented to the MNH Executive Safety and Quality Committee meeting on Friday 17 September. The Blood Management Standard is informed by three overarching criteria. These criteria provide the framework for the attached report and include:
- Clinical governance and quality improvement to support blood management.
- Prescribing and clinical use of blood and blood products.
- Managing the availability and safety of blood and blood products.
Clinical governance of this standard is underpinned by the Metro North Blood Management Policy and associated procedures and the Metro North Blood Management Committee. The Committee focuses on opportunities to improve the safety and quality of care, governance and reporting, and standardisation where appropriate. The committee is chaired and sponsored by the Metro North Executive Director Medical Services. Each Clinical Directorate have Blood Management Committees (BMC), or equivalent, in place to monitor and escalate risks and concerns in relation to this standard.
Major highlights for the Blood Management Standard across Metro North Health include:
- No SAC 1 incidents with Blood Management as the primary incident type.
- The effective collaboration of Blood Management Clinical Nurse Consultants and Clinical Nurse clinical leads across directorates to strengthen the collaborative commitment to Blood Management Safety and Quality i.e. standardisation of guidelines and procedures.
- No significant increase in blood and blood products usage despite an increase in patient separations over the reporting period in comparison to the previous 12-months.
- Increase in Clot Waveform Analysis results for a valid prescription for blood and product present.
- Metro North has responded to ongoing pressure on O Rh D Negative red cells as part of a Statewide initiative proposed by Pathology Queensland. This has resulted in an overall decrease (181 units) in emergency use of O Rh D Negative Red Blood Cells (RBC) over the last 12 months.
Thank you to all staff who every day at Metro North ensure we meet the intent of NSQHS Standard 7 Blood Management and deliver safe care to our patients. In addition I’d like to thank all those who have contributed or are involved with NSQHS Standard 7 Blood Management Committees across MNH Facilities/Directorates and to those who are involved in the overarching Metro North Health NSQHS Standard 7 Committee and for their commitment and leadership.
Metro North Health
Safety and Quality Awards 2021
I am delighted to open award submissions for the Metro North Safety and Quality Awards which will be presented during the Metro North Health Safety and Quality Forum on Friday 22 October 2021.
The awards focus on the theme “Stepping up for quality and safety at Metro North” under the four pillars of the strategy:
1. Improve outcomes of care
2. Prevent harm and increase reliability of care
3. Communicate better
4. Strengthen our patient safety & quality improvement culture
Complete your nomination by Friday 8 October 2021.
Thank you to all employees across Metro North Health for continuing to step up and provide safe and quality of care to our patients and the community.
Kind regards,
Michele