Tami Photinos, Executive Director, The Prince Charles Hospital

In my travels this week, I’ve been noticing many more smiling faces throughout the hospital – a result of the recent change to mask requirements from the shift to Green in the COVID-19 traffic light system.

While I acknowledge that masks are still being worn in high-risk clinical areas, and by those staff who choose to do so, it’s great to actually see people’s whole faces again. It has made me feel more connected with staff, and I’m sure many of our patients and visitors feel the same too. And what’s more, it’s nice to see so many more colourful lipsticks around the place. Go lipstick!

Executive Update

This week, Director Medical Services, Dr Donna O’Sullivan and I visited Health Information Services (HIS) to check in with staff and chat about their current work priorities. The last four months have been extremely busy for HIS, with the team focusing on supporting extra activity through the hospital. It’s been all hands on deck, so to speak!

(l to r): Brandon Bishop, Max Yuile, Tami Photinos, Melinda Scott

(l to r): Melinda Scott, Jen Webber, Tami Photinos, Donna O’Sullivan

I’d like to give a special shout out to HIS staff members, Jen Webber and Max Yuile who are about to begin their retirement. Jen, who has been a clinical coder for 16 years finished up at TPCH this week. She will be missed by the whole team for her hard work, dedication and supply of lemons.  Max has been a Medical Records staff member since 2014, and is well known for his enthusiastic approach, great work ethic and sharp wit. He will retire in early March. Thank you Jen and Max for your wonderful contribution to TPCH and wish you all the best. And thank you to Melinda Scott and the team for having us.

Earlier this week, TPCH’s Heart and Lung Program accommodated a visit by the Executive Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and various senior leaders from St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside. The purpose of the visit was to look at opportunities for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute to develop research in clinical cardiac interventions and investigator-initiated research. As a renowned leader in cardiothoracic care, TPCH was pleased to welcome our visitors to undertake a tour of the Cardiac Catheterisation Lab, led by Director Cardiology, Prof Darren Walters who provided an overview of the Lab’s activity, outcomes and various research activities. A big thanks to Darren Walters and Margaret Cousins for taking the time to support this visit; we appreciate how busy the Cath Lab team is.

Touring the Cardiac Cath Lab

While here, our visitors also had the opportunity to view our new ICU of the Future which will shortly receive its first patients. Our visitors were extremely impressed by the new space, especially interested in the research undertaken by the Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) and Adult Intensive Care Service to support such an innovation. While in the ICU, the group was joined by CCRG researchers,  Jacky Suen and Gianluigi Li Bassi who gave a brief overview of some of the CCRG’s other progressive work. Thank you to Dr Jayshree Lavana and Leanne Parsons for supporting the visit to the ICU. Overall, a very informative and valuable learning experience for everyone!

Visiting the ICU of the Future

This morning I popped in to see our busy Switchboard team. While it was obviously difficult to chat to everyone, because the phones kept ringing, it was great to touch base and see our fantastic Switchboard operators in action. Keep up the great work team!

Switchboard visit

Following Switch, I went to the Paul Zimmerman Close Observation Unit where I met with members of the multidisciplinary team and patient Phil, who was happy to receive a visit.

Paul Zimmerman Close Observation Unit visit

(l to r): Tami Photinos, Wayne Mahon and Kian Alexander

During my travels, I also met patient Wayne Mahon who was doing his walk test with physiotherapist, Kian Alexander. Wayne told me he was hoping to get home soon, on home oxygen. Interestingly, Wayne’s wife is a former nurse and his daughter is studying nursing at the University of Queensland. It was good to hear that Wayne was very happy with the care he has received at TPCH. We wish him all the best.

(l to r): Liz Pardede, Russell Noble, Faye Noble, Tami Photinos

I also had the opportunity to meet with lung transplant patient Faye Noble and her husband Russell in the Thoracic Ward. Faye is very well known to our hospital and is very thankful that TPCH is part of her continuing health care journey. Even though Faye has had her challenges, she was happy to have a good chat with us and was glad we fixed up her hair for the photo at her request (we can all understand that!).

Change to TPCH Cancer Care Services governance

From 1 February 2023, governance of same day Cancer Care Services at TPCH including Medical Oncology, Haematology (malignant and non-malignant), Radiation Oncology and Cancer Pharmacy will be integrated with RBWH Cancer Care Services.  Additionally, Haematology (including infusions) and Radiation Oncology outpatient clinics will relocate into TPCH Cancer Care Services in Building 6.  The service will be renamed “Metro North Cancer Care Services – The Prince Charles Hospital site.”

This change is occurring to support the continued delivery of high quality patient care as the service continues to grow.  Integrating with the RBWH will provide the infrastructure needed to support increased opportunities for staff training, education, and backfill.

Patients who currently receive care on TPCH campus will continue to come to TPCH for their care, however they will all be managed by the Metro North-TPCH Cancer Care Services in Building 6, and receive a new RBWH UR number that will appear on all related correspondence and information systems. There will also be no change to overnight inpatient care of cancer patients at TPCH, including support from cancer care clinicians.

For more information please contact Kim Gasson, Senior Project Officer via email: Kim.Gasson@health.qld.gov.au or phone 3646 5588 or Peter McGuire, Program Manager via email: Peter.Mcguire@health.qld.gov.au or phone 3646 0487.

FAST FACTS

Some members of the Anaesthetics Department team

This week we will focus on the Anaesthetics Department.

Did you know?:

• The Anaesthetic Department team comprises over 40 Anaesthesiologists, 40 Anaesthetic Allied Health Practitioners and 7 Perfusionists.
• The department provides procedural support to approximately 9,500 surgical cases each year, across the full range of surgical specialties general, vascular surgery, urology, cardiothoracic and plastics.
• It also supports an additional 9,000 non-surgical cases within gastroenterology, cardiology, mental health and medical imaging.
• Each year, around 2,500 patients visit the Pre-Anaesthetic Clinic which supports patient optimisation as well as education for more complex cases such as joint replacements
• The department coordinates an Acute Pain Management Service which undertakes around 3,500 inpatient assessments each year to support patients with acute post-surgical pain and individuals with chronic pain disorders.
• Anaesthesiology is the largest area of specialty medicine in Australia.  There are more anaesthesiologists in Australia than any other group of doctors except General Practitioners.
• Anaesthetics plays a significant role in TPCH’s Drugs and Therapeutics, and Blood Management Committees, as well as in various Statewide clinical networks such as SWAPNET (Statewide Anaesthetic and Perioperative Network)

The department is involved in multiple research projects relating to Prehabilitation (optimising unwell patients for surgery), blood management and medical education.

Staff Profile

Corey Quinlan

This week we will profile Physiotherapy graduate, Corey Quinlan.

Corey, who is a proud Kalkadoon man, joined TPCH as the 2020 AFL SportsReady Indigenous Cadet, where he worked as a physiotherapist assistant across many wards, equipping him with the necessary knowledge and skills for the transition to his current role.

Corey’s role involves working with patients in the Thoracic Ward to improve their ventilation, airway clearance and mobility. He enjoys connecting with patients, listening to their concerns and helping them achieve their healthcare goals, to make progress in their journey.

Corey’s passion for physiotherapy stems from growing up in Mount Isa where Indigenous health pathways where limited. Not having certain opportunities fuelled his desire to learn and help vulnerable members of the community. He values working with a supportive team to help deliver meaningful, compassionate, and professional services for patients at TPCH.

Outside of work, Corey enjoys playing football, touch ruby league, spending time with friends and exploring new places with his family.

Shout out

This week’s shout out goes to Nurse Unit Manager (NUM), Cardiac Investigations Unit (CIU), Margaret Cousins who retires after today. As NUM of the CIU since 2005, Margaret has successfully helped nurture and lead the CIU/Catheter Lab team, which supports a busy tertiary service nationally and internationally renowned for its excellent care standards and outcomes. Known as a quiet achiever, Margaret diligently supports staff and colleagues in the pursuit of excellent in patient care, showing compassion and care. She is a strong patient advocate, always using a common-sense approach to ensure patient needs are at forefront of CIU care. Her commitment to the service is resolute, and she will be greatly missed by the colleagues, multidisciplinary team and staff she has worked with and supported over the past 25 years at TPCH. We thank Margaret for her contribution to TPCH and wish her all the best in her retirement.

(l to r): Margaret Porra, Margaret Cousins, Sue Bullock, Tami Photinos

Terri Morgan and daughter Charlotte in front of the artwork

The other shout out this week goes to pharmacist Terri Morgan and her daughter Charlotte who organised for some prep students at Charlotte’s school to create some stories and pictures to put on the walls of our Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Ward. The students’ efforts have brought great joy to the patients who read the stories while doing their walks with the physiotherapists and therapy assistants. Thank you to Charlotte and the prep students at Nundah State School for taking the time to help brighten up the hospital for our patients. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and hard work.

Today’s quote

‘Reflection is one of the most underused yet powerful tools for success – Richard Carlson

Tami.