Released: 10 Mar 2010 16:03
Australian research suggests half of the incidences of patient harm recorded in Australian hospitals are preventable[1]. While every care is taken to minimise incidence of patient harm, continuing education and professional development initiatives and programs are key to delivering improved outcomes for all patients.
In 2008 Medeserv Primed was contracted by the Queensland Health Patient Safety Centre (PSC) to provide a curriculum framework and online education programs that would equip Queensland Health staff with the skills and knowledge required to minimise incidence of patient harm in Queensland hospitals.
The resulting curriculum of short courses covers a range of topics including coronial management, pressure ulcer prevention and management, clinical incident management, and falls prevention; and incorporate core learning activities to ensure competency and optional extension activities for further study. The courses give staff involved in patient care the tools to minimise incidence of patient harm in the workplace, and an understanding of the correct procedures to follow when incidents occur.
Five of the six planned courses were recently released and are now available to all registered Queensland Health staff through the Clinician Development Education Service (CDES) portal at www.health.qld.gov.au/cdes.
The CDES education portal provides Queensland Health staff with professional development and continuing education interactive flexible online learning programs across a wide range of topics available 24 hours from work or home.
The Patient Safety Centre is dedicated to improving the safety and quality of care of Queensland Health patients by continuously informing and educating those entrusted with their care. Medeserv PrimEd is a leading provider of professional development and continuing education online learning solutions for the health workforce.
[1] Wilson RM, Runciman WB, Gibberd RW, Harrison BT, Newby L, Hamilton JD. The Quality in the Australian Health Care Study. Medical Journal of Australia 1995;163(9): 458-71
Released: 07 Jul 2009 11:07
Nurses and midwives form the largest and most evenly distributed health profession working in regional, rural and remote Australia[1]. An effective nursing workforce is particularly important for rural and remote areas where nurses may be the sole healthcare provider at times, supported by other members of the health team including medical officers. These nurses and midwives require specialised clinical knowledge, skills, and support to deliver health care to diverse cases and communities.
In 2007, the Rural Health Advisory Council offered recommendations relating to recruiting and retaining the rural nursing workforce. The Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (OCNO), Queensland Health has responsibility for implementing these recommendations. An important deliverable within the strategy devised relates to Preparation for Rural and Remote Area Nursing Practice, which will “plan, create, disseminate, and implement a high quality standardised preparation tool for statewide use in the training of staff for rural and remote area nursing job placement[2].”
In 2007, the Rural Health Advisory Council offered recommendations relating to recruiting and retaining the rural nursing workforce. The Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (OCNO), Queensland Health has responsibility for implementing these recommendations. An important deliverable within the strategy devised relates to Preparation for Rural and Remote Area Nursing Practice, which will “plan, create, disseminate, and implement a high quality standardised preparation tool for statewide use in the training of staff for rural and remote area nursing job placement[2].”
Project documents cite a recognition that much of the organisational knowledge resides in staff, and “newcomers need to develop a network of information and relationships to enable them to truly become productive, creative employees who feel connected and safe[3].”
In April 2008, Medeserv was contracted by the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Queensland Health, to provide a curriculum framework and online education program for a high-quality, standardised preparation tool for statewide use in the orientation and training of staff for rural and remote area nursing.
Using its curriculum matrix methodology to plan, catalogue and guide education development across multiple domains, Medeserv created a curriculum framework. From this framework, a “Survival Starter Pack” was identified as the most essential 100 hours (3 weeks) of education for rural/remote nurses in Queensland and supports rural and remote nurses in their first 6 months of practice. An estimated 25% of the educational offerings is available in the form of face-to-face simulation skills workshops, but the majority of the program is accessible as an online program that incorporates the Medeserv education methodologies in group interaction, learning resources, tools and online discussion.
The courseware is available to all registered Queensland Health staff, through the Clinician Development Education Service (CDES) at http://cdes.learning.medeserv.com.au.
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2000. Nursing LabourForce 1991: a preliminary report, Table 2, AIHW, Canberra
[2] Queensland Health, 2008. Project Definition Plan (Section 6.3) (unpublished report), Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Brisbane
[3] Rollag K, Parise S, & Cross R, 2005. "Getting new hires up to speed quickly." MIT Sloan Management. 46(2): 35-41
Released: 25 May 2009 10:05
Dr Jenny May, Chair of the Alliance, congratulated those responsible for the development of the resource.
“Parkinson’s Australia has done a wonderful job both to contribute $132,000 to the project and to lead so effectively the parties involved in it,” Dr May said.
“This successful project has perhaps set a new benchmark in expedition, showing just what can be achieved quickly when all parties are focused on a common goal and can work together in an agreed fashion and with energy and commitment. It should inspire those of us working to secure project breakthroughs in other areas.”
Key contributions were provided pro bono by Professor Martin Krause, Dr Simon Lewis and others with the support of a $90,000 Department of Health grant and backing fromthe Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s. The on-line site has been developed by Brisbane-based company Medeserv-PrimEd.
The on-line educational and support program is available for use by all health professionals, with a focus on the particular needs of doctors and others in rural and remote areas.
In launching the program, Parliamentary Secretary Senator Jan McLucas said the program provides a complete overview of Parkinson’s disease, and offers assistance with decision-making, advice about medications and the treatment of related factors such as depression, anxiety and lifestyle changes.
Senator McLucas acknowledged the special contribution of John Silk, Treasurer of Parkinson’s Australia, and his wife Rebecca.
In rural and remote areas where health specialists are scarce, the need is to increase the general understanding of Parkinson's among whatever health professionals are available in order to improve ongoing quality of life for those with the condition. This new resource will go some way to meeting that need.
“Parkinson’s Australia has done a wonderful job both to contribute $132,000 to the project and to lead so effectively the parties involved in it,” Dr May said.
“This successful project has perhaps set a new benchmark in expedition, showing just what can be achieved quickly when all parties are focused on a common goal and can work together in an agreed fashion and with energy and commitment. It should inspire those of us working to secure project breakthroughs in other areas.”
Key contributions were provided pro bono by Professor Martin Krause, Dr Simon Lewis and others with the support of a $90,000 Department of Health grant and backing fromthe Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s. The on-line site has been developed by Brisbane-based company Medeserv-PrimEd.
The on-line educational and support program is available for use by all health professionals, with a focus on the particular needs of doctors and others in rural and remote areas.
In launching the program, Parliamentary Secretary Senator Jan McLucas said the program provides a complete overview of Parkinson’s disease, and offers assistance with decision-making, advice about medications and the treatment of related factors such as depression, anxiety and lifestyle changes.
Senator McLucas acknowledged the special contribution of John Silk, Treasurer of Parkinson’s Australia, and his wife Rebecca.
In rural and remote areas where health specialists are scarce, the need is to increase the general understanding of Parkinson's among whatever health professionals are available in order to improve ongoing quality of life for those with the condition. This new resource will go some way to meeting that need.