We can do great things when we work together. Caboolture Hospital has seen great success recently with our post-fall huddle initiative, lead by a multi-disciplinary team including medical, nursing, allied health and pharmacy.

When a patient unfortunately has a fall whilst in hospital, the team quickly comes together at the bedside to do a post-fall huddle to identify possible reasons for the fall and what strategies that may be implemented to avoid future falls. We also include the patient and their carer or family member in these discussions.

This trial is already showing some great results with a good reduction in falls. We now plan to roll this initiative out across acute medical wards.

As part of the trial evaluation, we asked for feedback from patients and family on their experience.

The responses were overwhelmingly positive with many people we asked saying they were pleased to be part of the patient’s care and have an opportunity to provide context.

One of the family members commented that she had implemented recommendations from the hospital huddle at home as well. One of our patients described the intervention as ‘top notch’.

CHRP Super Users

As we expand services into the new Clinical Services Building later this year, staff will be supported through a comprehensive education and induction program. One way is through having a team of super users who will assist staff transitioning into the new environment.

Super Users will be trained in the use of new equipment, systems and workflows, such as the operation of ceiling hosts, electronic medicines management or new digital technology, to then champion this training with your colleagues. Super Users provide invaluable support to colleagues and help ensure patient and staff safety.

We need Super users from all work areas and all disciplines, so if you’re interested in becoming a Super User please provide a short statement to CHRP_Education-Induction@health.qld.gov.au by Wednesday 8 March.

Satellite hospitals

The Caboolture and Bribie Island satellite hospitals are quickly taking shape. The Caboolture facility on Rowe Street is expected to open mid-this year with Bribie Island expected to open in mid-2024. The CKW Executive Team will have governance over these two new facilities.

Each Metro North Health satellite hospital (including Kallangur) will have a minor injury and illness unit, medical imaging services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services and access to oral health services, along with locally tailored services.

Key details including opening hours, models of care and staffing numbers to be finalised soon. They will be a welcome addition to the health care services that we provide to the community.

Refer patients to BERT

Metro North Health has recently launched an Australia-first service – the Behavioural Emergency Response Team (BERT).

This initiative is designed to assist people with disability and complex challenging behaviours to receive the care they need when they need it. The interdisciplinary outreach and crisis response team consists of allied health, nursing and medical professionals who aim to prevent unnecessary presentations to emergency through timely direct access to the appropriate response and care.

The team is now taking referrals and anyone can refer. For more information on who is eligible and how to refer, visit the BERT website.

Go Katrina!

Caboolture Hospital Elective Surgery Coordinator Katrina Cook is a cut above the rest!

Katrina started competitive woodchopping at 16 years of age and made the first Australian women’s woodchopping team at 19.

She’s well regarded across Australia as one of our finest female timbersport competitors and getting ready to head to Glenelg Beach, near Adelaide, early next month for the Australian Women’s Stihl Timbersports Championship, having placed third in the event in 2021.

Katrina will compete in three competition rounds – underhand chop, Stihl Stocksaw and the Single Buck disciplines. She will face five other female contestants with the winner to head to Europe in May for the Women’s World Title.

When not busy at work or being Mum to three young children, Katrina has been busy training with husband Jamie who will also head to Glenelg to compete in the men’s competition.

The Stihl Timbersports Facebook page has more details and will stream the full championship event live on Saturday 4 March, starting at 11.30am (Queensland time). Good luck, Katrina!

What a compliment!

The Caboolture Hospital Emergency Department are a wonderful team. Here’s another compliment from a patient recently on the compassionate care they received:

“From the moment I arrived at Caboolture Hospital in the ambulance, I received their absolute attention to my condition.

“Various doctors and nurses participated in identifying what turned out to be a serious condition and had me prepared well for either admission to Caboolture Hospital ICU or the RBWH ICU, which was the ultimate location due the high need for follow-on treatment and surgery.

“I cannot rate their performance and teamwork high enough.”

Finally,

Do you know someone who may like to be a volunteer at Caboolture Hospital?

We’ve started looking for more incredible community members to come forward and join as volunteers, who are coordinated by The Common Good.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer, contact Karen on 5433 8634 or email info@thecommongood.org.au

Take Care,

Angie.