Tami Photinos, Executive Director, The Prince Charles Hospital

Earlier this week, we celebrated Hospitality Workers in Health Care Day to acknowledge the valuable work of our Food Services and Patient Support Services staff.

These staff play a critical role in supporting our clinical teams to deliver a high quality care experience to our patients. They work behind the scenes helping to support the needs of our patients including their nutritional requirements and cultural preferences, and ensuring they receive care in an efficient, safe and clean environment. Without these staff, TPCH could not provide the best possible care to those patients who come here, so we sing our praises to them and thank them for their commitment.

In recognition of this important day, I was invited along to a couple of events to acknowledge the efforts of our Food Services and Patient Support Services staff. Congratulations on the great work you do every day; please know it makes a big difference to our patients and staff.

Executive Update

This week, Acting Director of Nursing, Tanya Beaumont and I visited the Adult Emergency Department (ED) to view the upcoming plans for the development of the Short Stay Unit, under the Patient Flow Initiative Project (PFLIP).  The PFLIP initiative will see the physical expansion of the Short Stay Unit with the aim of increasing its capacity to help improve patient flow through the ED and avoid unnecessary ward admissions. In preparation for the upcoming expansion, the ED is currently utilising a temporary space within the department until the expanded Short Stay Unit is opened. Building works are expected to commence next month. A big thanks to Amanda Smith, Nursing Director, Emergency and Paediatric Services; and Carol Jeffers, PFLIP Project Officer for taking the time to show us through the department.

L to r: Tami Photinos, Carol Jeffers, Tanya Beaumont, Amanda Smith

Also this week, I attended a special networking session as part of the Critical care International; Knowledge, Evidence and beyond Summit, organised by our Critical Care Research Group (CCRG). This Summit brought together intensive care leaders from Australia and around the world, to discuss  international research priorities in the critical care field, and provided an opportunity to profile TPCH’s research excellence. It was great to welcome so many clinical experts from around the globe to TPCH, and give them a unique opportunity to advance their knowledge in relation to caring for the critically ill patient. A big thanks to Professor John Fraser and the CCRG team for coordinating such a successful event. Well done!

Welcoming delegates at the Critical care International; Knowledge, Evidence and beyond Summit

Last week I attended the farewell event for Michael Hornby, Chief Executive Officer, TPCH Foundation who will shortly finish up at TPCH. It was great to come together to acknowledge Michael’s significant contributions to TPCH over the last eight years. We sincerely thank Michael for his unwavering commitment to supporting medical research and patient care at TPCH and wish him all the best with his new career endeavour.  We now warmly welcome Steve Francia as the newly appointed CEO of TPCH Foundation who commenced this week. Welcome Steve!

For the next three weeks, I will be on annual leave, heading off to the scenic New Zealand. During this time, Alanna Geary, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Metro North will be relieving in TPCH Executive Director role. Alanna is a highly experience member of Metro North’s Senior Executive Team, and we look forward to having her on the ground at TPCH. Please make her feel welcome if you see her around.

FAST FACTS

PACU team

This week we will profile the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) and Day Surgery Unit.

Did you know?

• The Post Anaesthetic Care Unit and Day Surgery Unit consist of a small, experienced team of 24 staff including a Nurse Unit Manager, Clinical Nurse Clinical Facilitator, nursing and administration staff.
• The unit is divided into 3 areas:
  – Day Surgery Unit – where patients are admitted and prepared for surgery
  – Stage 1 recovery – immediate postoperative period and
  – Stage 2 recovery – preparing patients to transfer to the ward or discharge home.
• Stage 1 comprises 9 bed spaces and 1 isolation room, and Stage 2 comprises 9 bed spaces
• Each year, the Unit admits and recovers an average of between 7000-8000 patients
• PACU nurses are experienced in recovering a variety of specialty surgeries including cardiac, thoracic, general, urology, vascular, elective orthopaedic, endoscopy, medical imaging and procedural services.
• The Unit is located on level 2 of the Critical Care Services Building, next to the operating theatres.

Staff Profile

Melvin Prado

This week, in celebration of Hospitality Workers in Health Care Day, we will profile Patient Support Officer, Melvin Prado.

Melvin is responsible for undertaking environmental cleaning to help keep the hospital safe and hygienic for all people who come to TPCH. He also supports the transfer of patients around the hospital and assists nursing staff with the physical movement of patients.

Interestingly, after moving to Australia from his home country, the Philippines where he was studying to become a nurse, Melvin first started working as a butcher before commencing as a Patient Support Officer at TPCH.

Melvin enjoys the opportunity to help patients and work with others as part of the health care team. He is passionate about representing Patient Support Services in the best way possible, wearing his uniform with respect, and ensuring he always does his best to make his family and community proud.

In his spare time, Melvin enjoys watching Japanese animation films, spending time with the partner, going shopping, eating out and going to the cinema.

Today’s quote

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tami.