Message from TPCH Executive Director

I hope everyone had the opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved down time during the recent Easter long weekend.

Most staff would be aware that this week, Metro North experienced some significant network server issues which impacted TPCH staff and services. I appreciate this occurrence was very disruptive to all services, both clinical and non-clinical, and I thank staff for being so flexible and supportive. This is another example of our teams across TPCH working together to ensure we can continue providing high quality and safe care to our patients.

I am pleased to launch our TPCH 2022 Year in Review report which provides a snapshot of the hospital’s key achievements from the previous calendar year. The report highlights a selection of the hospital’s significant accomplishments across clinical service delivery; safety and quality; infrastructure, and staff health and well-being.

We acknowledge there are many additional bodies of work, projects and initiatives that have taken place at TPCH during the past year, to support the successful operation of the hospital and achieve the continued delivery of excellent patient care. Thank you to everyone for all of your great work!

Read TPCH Year in Review 2022

Executive Update

This week, I was pleased to resume our weekly Executive walkarounds, with visits to the Gastroenterology Unit and Medical Imaging Department.

In Gastroenterology, Director of Operations, Surgery and Critical Care, Melanie Dubbelde and I had the opportunity to speak with staff in the Booking Office and Outpatients Department about their current work, including some of the challenges being experienced with the new Q-Flow system. We also chatted with other staff in the unit, who shared some positive feedback about working in one of Queensland’s busiest Gastroenterology services.

Thanks to the team for having us. Keep up the great work!

During our visit to Medical Imaging, Director of EPIC, Karlene Wilcocks and I had the opportunity to meet and chat with various staff throughout this busy department which images and treats over 120,000 patients each year. We even gave a surprise drop in on a Professional Development Plan (PDP) session for Radiographer, Steve Unwin being led by General X-Ray team leader, Kylie Pink. (Nothing like having to perform under pressure!) While this was not our typical type of visit, it gave us a good chance to receive some feedback about the hospital including about the physical work environment and organisational culture. Thanks to Steve and Kylie for being so accommodating! And a big thanks to David Merritt, Director Medical Imaging Services, for taking the time to show us around.

Nursing Excellence Awards

Nominations are now open for TPCH’s 2023 Nursing Excellence Awards. These awards recognise nursing staff who have made a positive impact on patient care, displayed exceptional leadership and inspired others in the nursing profession.

Categories:

• Leadership and Management
• Education and Research
• Clinical Practice
• Outstanding Collegial Support (Cheryl Burns Award)

Nominations close on Friday 28 April 2023.

FAST FACTS

This week we will profile the Occupational Therapy Department.

Did you know?:

• Occupational Therapy (OT) assists patients maximise their functional independence and participate in everyday activities that are important and meaningful for them.
• TPCH OTs support patients across a range of clinical settings including acute and subacute wards, outpatients, and ambulatory care.
• The full OT team comprises more than 30 staff, and includes occupational therapists, a leisure therapist, clinical assistants, child life therapist, and a University of Queensland conjoint research fellow.
• In 2022, OT provided over 25,000 hours of direct clinical care (or the approximate time for an individual to become a world class expert in a field) across almost 70,000 sessions, to approximately 900 patients each month.
• Clinical education is routinely provided to OT students to facilitate the future workforce, with the assistance of the OT Clinical Education Support Officers. Approximately 300 placement days are projected for January to June 2023.
• Recent OT initiatives include outpatient clinics for Palliative Care, Oedema Management, Cognitive Assessment; and a Rapid Access Clinic for hands patients presenting to the Emergency Department.
• The OT department is located on the ground floor of the main acute building, adjacent to the RAS Unit and RDTU.

Staff Profile

Today we will profile Manager, Library Services, Jana Waldmann.

Jana is responsible for ensuring the library can connect staff with the information they need to support patient care, research, quality improvement and education. A typical day may involve searching the medical databases, tracking down difficult-to-find journal articles, running research skills workshops, or managing the print and electronic collections so staff can find and access what they need. And of course, it involves a lot of books!

Having been a Client Services Librarian at TPCH since 2015, Jana loves the combination of customer service and problem solving that librarianship provides. She gains satisfaction from helping staff find a solution to their particular issue, whether it be a computer problem or needing to find evidence to improve patient outcomes.

Jana is passionate about promoting the role the library plays in supporting evidence-based practice and creating a welcoming space for staff.

Outside of work, when not running around after her two young children, Jana enjoys reading (what a surprise!), gardening and spending time with friends. She’s also an avid AFL fan (go the Lions!).

Car Parking Ballot update

The Jacaranda Place Parking Ballot has now been finalised for 2023. Successful staff have been notified via email and will have received relevant details with regard to access. Congratulations to the successful applicants and thank you to all staff who expressed an interest in the ballot process.

For any queries please email: TPCH_Corporateservices@health.qld.gov.au

Shout out

This week’s shout out goes to Radiographer, Melissa Amos for her recent display of patient-centred care. While performing a routine imaging examination, Melissa noted an unexpected, life-threatening finding and escalated this immediately to the radiology and emergency teams. This escalation, along with the work of the entire TPCH imaging and Emergency Department teams ensured the patient received the care they required in the quickest possible time. Well done Melissa, some great work!

Today’s quote

“Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come.” – Perry Paxton

Tami.