2022 NSLHD Quality and Improvement Award finalists
Transforming the Patient Experience
Partnering with refugee women to improve the breast screening experience – Multicultural Health Service and Breast Screen NSW Northern Sydney Central Coast, Primary and Community Health
Low numbers of Tibetan refugee women were presenting for breast screening in Northern Sydney. The team implemented strategies to address the barriers to screening that these women faced – including limited literacy, past trauma and lack of social support. The strategies implemented involved group screening, block booking of interpreters, in-language information, service navigation and care coordination provided by a bilingual community worker, and co-design of promotional material. The project was successful in improving health literacy, screening participation, client experience, service efficiency and staff satisfaction.
Patient Safety First
Domestic violence – routine screening in the Emergency Department – Royal North Shore Hospital Emergency Department
Staff at the emergency department undertook a pilot project to improve identification of women at risk of domestic and family violence to provide access to immediate, ongoing psychosocial response, and support services for victim-survivors. From 16,380 female patients screened there were 412 identified as being at risk. This process has continued after the pilot program was completed.
Delivering Value-Based Integrated Care
Shared Care 4 Kids Developmental Checks – Child, Youth and Family, Primary and Community Health
The team identified that approximately 24 per cent of children were starting school from a developmentally disadvantaged base. This can affect a child's long-term learning. Working with five GP practices, the team sought to have children with potential difficulties identified earlier and referred for specialist intervention. Early intervention empowers children to live the best life possible and saves on future healthcare, disability, special education, and justice system costs.
Supporting our People and Culture Award
Developing Our Clinical Leaders – Evaluation of the MHDA Management Coaching Program – Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service
Within the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service the clinical managers were finding it difficult to leave the team environment for leadership development training opportunities. Monthly onsite coaching sessions were introduced and have been well received. This initiative has proven to be time efficient, flexible and a cost effective solution.
Keeping People Healthy
Healthy and Active On-Line – Northern Sydney Health Promotion, Active Aging Team
Healthy and Active On-Line is a free virtual healthy lifestyle program for adults aged over 60 years and Aboriginal people aged over 45 years aimed to reduce mortality and falls related injury, via an accessible and equitable program. The Health Promotion Active Aging Team introduced the program in January 2021, consistently exceeding other districts in participation and successful course completion rates.
Health Research and Innovation Award
Neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer patients: to watch and wait or operate – that is the question – Cancer Services Network and Royal North Shore Hospital
The 'watch and wait' strategy looks to reduce morbidity and improve quality of life for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer through an alternative evidence based approach to radical surgery. Following consensus among the colorectal multidisciplinary team, a district-wide guideline was drafted that offer organ preservation through active monitoring of cancer patients that completed Neo Adjuvant Treatment.
Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award
Enhancing clinical handover in Mental Health Drug and Alcohol settings through ISBAR video educational resources – Mental Health Drug and Alcohol
The team identified the need for staff to strengthen clinical handover practices by including the delivery of concise and clear information during transfer of care. Educational videos were produced for staff demonstrating the use of the ISBAR (introduction, situation, background, assessment, recommendations) communication framework across the consumer journey. The videos were piloted with teams and were evaluated positively with clinicians reporting increased value and understanding of the use of ISBAR during clinical handover.
Planetary Health Award
NSLHD Light Emitting Diode Upgrade of 5000 Lights - Capital Works, NSLHD Corporate Services
The team replaced 5000 lights with modern energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) lighting technology. The replacement of 5000 lights will result in a carbon reduction of 2023 tonnes per year, equivalent to carbon produced by 477 average Australian homes, or taking 1065 cars off the road.
LED technology is currently the most commercially energy efficient way of providing artificial lighting. There is ongoing waste reduction as LED lights last significantly longer and require less frequent maintenance.
The LED replacement project provided an opportunity to “jump shift" some of NSLHD's older facilities by covering the initial capital cost to replace the old fittings with new technology. This capital investment will be recovered from energy savings within 1 ½ years. The project was welcomed by all facilities and early feedback has been very positive.
