Message from TPCH Executive Director

This week, TPCH celebrated an important milestone with our Orthopaedic Surgery Department performing its 1000th procedure using its state-of-the-art orthopaedic robotic arm technology – the first in a Queensland public hospital. The robotic arm, introduced in 2019, helps orthopaedic surgeons deliver more accurate surgeries with reduced pain and faster recovery. With this technology, surgeons can use 3D software to design a perfectly-fitting implant and plan its placement before even entering the operating theatre. The robot can selectively target only the part of the joint which is damaged, while helping to spare the surrounding healthy tissue giving patients better results and allowing some to go home as early as the same day as their surgery. What a fantastic innovation!. Congratulations to the Orthopaedic Surgical team!

We also had the opportunity to showcase other ground-breaking work from our cardiology and critical care specialties during a special visit from the Governor of Queensland, accompanied by members of the Metro North Board. The Governor was taken on a tour through our Cardiac Catheter Lab in the Cardiac Investigations Unit (CIU) led by Director of Cardiology, Professor Darren Walters. Here, she learned about the workings and innovations of this highly functioning lab including a new radiation protection system which allows clinicians to perform long and complex procedures without the need to wear traditional lead aprons. The Governor also met with some patients who were the first in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere to receive a newly trialled transcatheter mitral valve which prevents the need for open heart surgery.

Our patients certainly appreciated the chance to meet with the Governor, and express their gratitude to the cardiology team for the great care they have received. A big thank you to Professor Darren Walters and the entire team for delivering such an informative and impressive showcase.

The Governor also had the opportunity to view the recently opened ICU of the Future. This world first initiative, which is a partnership between Metro North Health, Critical Care Research Group and the Common Good, has seen the redesign of the Intensive Care Unit environment to be more patient-centric and recovery focused.

The new ICU of the Future introduces technologies that can reduce the amount of noise that is experienced by the patient, lighting that can mimic natural light and help maintain the body’s natural circadian rhythm, and digital interaction screens to improve how patients connect with their family members and the outside world. The Governor was very impressed with the innovative space, and thoroughly enjoyed speaking with staff.

Thank you to Dr Jayshree Lavana, Oystein Tronstad and Michael Hornby for taking the time to talk to the Governor about this important development.

As part of our showcase of critical care innovation at TPCH, the Governor was also given the opportunity to hear about some of the exciting work of our Critical Care Research Group (CCRG). CCRG’s Dr GianLuigi Li Bassi, delivered an interesting presentation about the Critical Care COVID-19 Consortium and the Living Heart Project which have both been pivotal in understanding and improving clinical practice relating to the care of critically ill patients both here in Australia and overseas. Some of you may have seen the recent positive media coverage about the Living Heart Project, which uses world-first transportation technology to keep donor hearts alive and healthy for longer. The project has resulted in a patient receiving a donor heart which travelled a record-breaking distance from the east coast to the west coast of Australia. You can read some of the coverage below.

Living Heart Project – The Australian  

A big thanks to Professor John Fraser, Dr GianLuigi Li Bassi, Dr Jacky Suen and the CCRG team for shining the spotlight on some of the great research coming out of TPCH. The Governor was very encouraged by the talent and dedication of the CCRG team which is leading to improved health outcomes for patients now and into the future. Well done!

Executive Update

This week, Director EPIC, Karlene Willocks and I visited the Cognitive Assessment and Management (CAM) Unit. This Unit supports patients with behavioural issues as a result of cognitive impairment through conditions such as dementia and delirium. It aims to provide controlled care in a safe and secure environment to help patients have a good quality of life. It was great to look through the unit and speak with staff about some of the upcoming improvements planned to help make the facility more comfortable for CAM’s vulnerable and often challenging patient group. Thanks to Vijay and Jake, and the entire CAM Unit team for having us. Keep up the great work!
CAM Unit visit

FAST FACTS

This week we will focus on the Cognitive Assessment and Management (CAM) Unit.

Did you know?:

• The CAM Unit team consists of a geriatrician, registrar, specialised nursing staff, a nurse navigator cognitive advocate, nurse practitioner for dementia and delirium, and associated allied health staff.
• The Unit provides specialised support and care for patients experiencing major neuro-cognitive disorder, memory, behavioural and cognitive impairment related to dementia.
• The goal of the CAM Unit is to provide a high degree of specialised but respectful, patient-centred care for individuals experiencing behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with the progression of dementia.
• The CAM Unit is one of the few purpose-built facilities in south-east Queensland that provides comprehensive assessment of symptoms that involve mood disruptions, hyperactivity-type manifestations, psychotic symptoms and other associated behavioural disturbances.
• Each year, the CAM Unit’s specialised dementia service provides consultations through its network of associated services and provides inpatient treatment service to more than 200 patients.
• The Unit created the acronym P.I.T.C.H.E.D. (Pain, Infection; Thirst; Constipation; Hunger; Environment; Drugs) which has become a standard framework used to identify triggers that cause escalation in behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD) in patients.

Staff Profile

This week we will profile new Administration Manager, Heart and Lung Program, Leah McCarthy.

Before joining TPCH, Leah was a Senior Advisor for Medical Credentialing within Metro North, having previously worked in a variety of public, private and corporate office environment roles within health for over the last 20 years.

In her new role, Leah is involved in the planning and coordination of administration services for the Heart and Lung Program. She enjoys working with her team to improve access for consumers and processes that contribute to an improved consumer experience. Leah is passionate about the role that administration staff play in making a difference to the patient journey, and is a strong advocate for administration, and ensuring her team have an enjoyable environment to work and grow in.

When not at work, Leah enjoys spending time with her daughter and puppy and coaching her daughter’s hockey team, and is looking forward to getting back into the game herself this year.
Welcome Leah!

Café improvements

The Café of the Common Good will be implementing a variety of exciting projects this year to improve its services following some recent feedback received from TPCH staff.

The Café’s fresh food vending machine selections are being refined by the Café’s Head Chef, with a focus on better understanding the needs and preferences of users as part a broader Fresh Food After Hours Project. The Common Good is also having discussions with Merlo Coffee to develop a pilot program for a Point of Delivery machine to be installed in the Emergency Department to increase coffee services for staff, including after hours. Another project is the Common Good’s Loyalty Program aimed at better rewarding TPCH staff and teams who use the Café.

Please remember that every dollar made as profit through The Common Good Café is directly channelled into various health research projects at TPCH that are making a real difference to patient outcomes. We look forward to hearing more about these initiatives as they progress. Stay tuned!

Shout out

This week’s shout out goes to our Security Services team. In my travels each week, I have noticed members of this team are always on hand to support our staff, patients and visitors in a very calm and efficient way, with nothing ever being too much trouble. This team manages some very challenging situations, always putting the safety of our patients and staff at the centre of what they do, while showing great compassion and care. Hats off to you all! You do an excellent job!

Today’s quote
‘It is your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude.’ – Zig Ziglar

Tami Photinos
Executive Director