As most of you are aware, I will be acting in the position of Executive Director TPCH for the next four weeks while Tami Photinos undertakes the acting Chief Operating Officer, Metro North role followed by some well-deserved annual leave.

I have just returned to TPCH after fours week as the Acting Executive Director STARS where I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic team who made me feel very welcome and supported. While I have met many staff across TPCH in my substantive position as Director of Operations EPIC, I look forward to connecting with many new faces throughout the hospital over the coming month.

Executive Update

ICU of the Future

This week, I attended a special event to mark the six-month milestone of the new ICU of the Future bed spaces. This world first initiative focuses on redesigning the traditional ICU space to make it more recovery focused and patient-centred through an improved physical environment. I extend my sincere congratulations to the entire ICU team, Critical Care Research Group and the Common Good on this wonderful initiative which places TPCH as a global leader in patient-focused critical care service delivery. Well done everyone!

Accreditation

As of 1 July, all healthcare facilities in Australia will transition to Mandatory Short Notice Assessments to be accredited against the NSQHS Standards. This means that TPCH will undergo an assessment between now and the end of November 2023. The key to be able to maintain accreditation against the standards is to incorporate clinical governance into all aspects of the services we provide. The governance and processes make it possible to provide quality and safe care to our consumers. Some key focus points that everyone needs to consider:

• PDP – ensure that your PDP is up to date – make an appointment with your line manager asap if you need to do so.
• Mandatory training – you must have all your training completed – speak to your line manager to arrange time and space to get the training completed.
• Your local work environment – is it clean, tidy and efficient? Remove tattered posters and signs and make sure they are relevant and up to date. Make sure your clinical equipment is clean and maintained – Support QuEST by having all loan equipment ready for return when not in use.
• Make sure you involve patients in decisions and planning of their care including handover “#don’t talk about me without me.”

OVP update

Queensland Health’s Occupational Violence Strategy Unit has recently developed an Unacceptable Behaviour Framework which provides staff with a decision making pathway for use when they feel their health and safety is at risk from a patient or visitor’s unacceptable behaviour. This initiative is particularly relevant to our high risk areas such as emergency and mental health, where staff experience this type of behaviour on a more frequent basis. Staff are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this new framework, which includes accessing additional support through available channels including TPCH Staff Psychology Service.  Bookings for the Staff Psychology Service can be made by emailing MNStaffPsychology@health.qld.gov.au or phoning 3647 9673.

Infrastructure Update

Car parking

Site preparation works for the construction of the new multi-storey car park will commence from next week starting with clearing vegetation adjacent to the existing car park and between the hospital’s entrance point, Main Road and Rode Rd. Ecological assessments have been completed and confirmed that the vegetation in the area is regrowth and does not include any protected plants. Once the car park is built, Metro North will replant and landscape the balance of the construction site. A spotter will be onsite during the removal of trees to safely remove any wildlife if required. More information is available on QHEPS – Car Park | The Prince Charles Hospital (health.qld.gov.au)

TPCH expansion project

The $360 million TPCH Expansion is ramping-up, with the focus now on onboarding our project partners. The induction and onboarding process is a critical component of the project, allowing Metro North to help the broader project team, including our project managers, architects and builders, to build a clear understanding of the scope, requirements, expectations and vision for TPCH Expansion. It’s our opportunity to provide the project team with explicit information about our values and our shared purpose and commitment to deliver excellence in healthcare. This is a key step towards ensuring our expansion project is set-up for success and runs smoothly, while also welcoming our partners to TPCH campus.

Satellite Hospitals program

This week I attended a walkthrough of the new Kallangur Satellite Hospital which is scheduled to open late this year. I was impressed by the spacious and modern facility which will help alleviate capacity issues at major hospitals and provide free services that meet the needs of each local community.

Along with Kallangur, Metro North also has responsibility for satellite hospitals at Caboolture and Bribie Island which our TPCH Medical Imaging team are providing services for. I really encourage staff to attend the upcoming Caboolture Satellite Hospital open day on 31 July, if you can.

I would like to acknowledge some of the TPCH teams and services who are an important part of the Satellite Hospital offering. The Sleep Disorders Centre team, led by Director of Sleep Sciences Irene Szollosi and Director Sleep Disorders Centre, Dr Deanne Curtin will provide an important new service to the community of Caboolture. This a first of a kind service for the local area and will offer home sleep testing set-up and a CPAP/non-invasive ventilation support clinic for adults

I’d like to acknowledge Deputy Director Medical Imaging Alison Ham, Radiographer Chris Gilmore and Ben Conlan who has the important job of ensuring all the systems and informatics are connected. Thank you also to Dr Rachael O’Rourke, Clinical Director Medical Imaging and Director Medical Imaging David Merritt and your team.

FAST FACTS

This week, we will profile the Transit Lounge.

Did you know?

• The Transit Lounge team consists of five staff who work part time. Rostered on each day is a Registered Nurse and an Enrolled Nurse.
• Approximately 400 discharges come through the transit lounge each month.
• The unit has two beds and 14 reclining chairs available, but can fit up to five beds at any one time.
• Patients can be waiting QAS, private pick up or community transport upon discharge from hospital. Transit Lounge staff work closely with QAS, and can book taxis and other transport for patients to ensure they reach their destinations in a timely manner.
• The Transit Lounge is open 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Staff profile

This week we’ll profile Study Coordinator, International Lung Screening Trial (ILST), Linda Passmore. As the long-term nursing lead for the trial which investigates the early detection of lung cancer, Linda is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the research process which includes assessing patient eligibility, conveying test results, and follow up. To date, she has recruited and supported well over 600 patients to undergo lung screening at TPCH.

Linda values her role in helping find early cancers in patients with the view to move them towards a curative outcome. She is passionate about advocating for patients, with her role affording her the reward of being able to often add many years to patients’ lives through early, life saving intervention.

Outside of work, Linda continues to help save lives, through her voluntary work as a surf life saver at Redcliffe. She also enjoys spending time with her family including her two young grandchildren, especially at the beach.

Charlies Research Scene

Please enjoy reading our research study of the month featured below.

The Australasian Delirium Care Standard: Not just another Brick in the wall  Age Ageing Vol 52, 6, 2023, afad078, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afad078 Andrew Teodorczuk, Michael C. Reade, Frederick A Graham This commentary piece, published in the leading geriatric scientific journal, Age and Ageing, reviews the Australasian Delirium Clinical Care Standard. Delirium is highly prevalent in hospitals affecting 1 in 3 older inpatients and is under detected and poorly managed, so robust guidelines are much needed. The authors argue that a strength of the Standard is that it is patient-centred and actively promotes non-pharmacological interventions to be made by both professional staff and family members to reduce the incidence of delirium and its complications. The challenge is that the Care Standard aims to be universal in its implementation but is arguably less applicable in certain clinical contexts (such as the intensive care unit) and in certain patients. The authors conclude that maintaining the centrality of patient- and family- centric care and organisational accountability, will be the key to successful implementation of the Care Standard. Lastly, there remains a pressing need to gather further treatment focussed evidence in various specific contexts.

Closing remarks

As I have transitioned across roles in the last couple of months, I have been reminded in such a positive way of the importance or respect and kindness, and how showing understanding for others is so important, particularly in our roles as health care workers.

I would like to thank you all for the kindness you have shown me, your colleagues, our patients and their family and broader group of support (whanau).

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” – Charles Glassman

Karlene.