Tasmanian Health Organisation – South InTHE NEWSLETTERfocus OF THO SOUTH SPRING – DECEMBER 2013 (EDITION No. 49) (L-R) Lucy Davy, Tameka Ridgeway, Dr Emma Huckerby, Dr Richard Opening of the Emergency Ward (in background), Sandra Ahokas, Susan Melross, Tenille Johnson Medical Unit (EMU) in EMU. The RHH’s new EMU is already playing an give patients an indication of their risk of developing diseases like important role in helping to reduce pressure diabetes and heart disease. “With hospital presentations around the country increasing, this on the Emergency Department (ED), enhance is an exciting opportunity for the Royal Hobart Hospital to be patient flow throughout the hospital and innovative in how we support and empower patients to improve their heath, potentially reducing pressure on hospitals in the future,” improve health outcomes for patients. Dr Huckerby said. The 10 bed Unit, funded by the Commonwealth as part of the $325 million Tasmanian Health Assistance Package, is co-located with the ED and is providing care for patients requiring four to 24 hours of hospital treatment. The unit was officially opened by the Health Minister, Michelle Contents O’Byrne in November. Learning Organisation 1 “The EMU allows patients to be moved into a more comfortable Appropriate, Response and Relevant to Our Community 4 ward environment, freeing up beds in ED, and also keeping beds available in other areas of the hospital for patients that need longer Redevelopment RHH 8 periods of care,” Minister O’Byrne said. RHH Emergency Department Director, Dr Emma Huckerby, said Governance, Leadership and Management of the RHH Emergency Medical Unit is going a step further than other THO-South is Effective, Innovative and Valued 14 EMU’s in the country. Safety and Quality are Priorities 16 “We are working closely with GPs and Community Nursing to help support patients improve their health, potentially avoiding the need Patient Centred Clinical Practice 16 for hospitalisation in the future. Patients admitted to the EMU will undertake an assessment called ‘How healthy are you?’ “This will Tasmanian Health Organisation – South Learning Organisation Sharing Midwifery Expertise PNG Midwives Julieanne and Teresita with staff at the RHH. Midwives at the RHH were recently given the As our nearest neighbours, these experienced midwives have reached out to opportunity to share their expertise with Julieanna Australian midwives, not just for help and compassion, but also to share their unique experiences, skills and knowledge. and Teresita, Midwives from Papua New Guinea According to the most recent DHS data (2006), the neonatal mortality rate (PNG). in Papua New Guinea was 29 deaths per 1,000 live births and post-neonatal mortality rate was 28 deaths per 1000 live births. This is in contrast to Australia The Midwives were in Australia to attend the Australian College of Midwives where ABS data between 2002 and 2004 reported the neonatal death rate 18th Biennial national conference in Hobart. The trip was made possible among Indigenous babies was 5.8 per 1,000 live births and 2.7 among non- thanks to an AusAid study tour grant. Indigenous babies. Papua New Guinea women experience some of the worst outcomes of Staff said it was an amazing opportunity to meet the wonderful midwives and pregnancy and childbirth in comparison with most other countries in the realise how incredibly lucky we are in Australia to be able to provide such high world. Over the last 20 years midwifery in PNG almost disappeared. quality services. The RHH Endocrinology Laboratory provides comprehensive testing of Endocrinology Laboratory samples needed for management of patients with Diabetes, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pituitary, Fertility, Growth and Parathyroid disorders. The laboratory also receives samples for neuroendocrine tumour testing and screening from Excellence in Service, throughout Australia, making the RHH Endocrinology Laboratory a national reference centre for endocrine testing. Professor John Burgess, Director Endocrinology Laboratory, said that the Research and Teaching laboratory’s expertise has resulted in strong collaborative research links with the University of Tasmania's School of Medicine and The Menzies Research Despite having a small team, the Royal Hobart Institute. The laboratory also has research commitments in the area of Hospital (RHH) Endocrinology Laboratory is punching Thyroid disease, Iodine Deficiency, Diabetes, Obesity, Vitamin D and inherited endocrine malignancies. The Laboratory's staff have a strong track record of above its weight. The highly skilled and dedicated staff publications in international medical research literature. are responsible for testing Tasmania’s most common, “The laboratory also plays an active role in both undergraduate and postgraduate as well a some of Australia’s most complex, endocrine teaching within the RHH by supporting both the University of Tasmania Medical School and postgraduate advanced training in Clinical Endocrinology,” Professor conditions. Burgess said. Infocus Page 2 Learning Organisation Overseas Health Professionals Visit ICU ICU staff at the RHH were recently given the opportunity to broaden their clinical knowledge and network with international experts, without having to leave Hobart. Our overseas visitors in ICU. The Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) and the and Director, Department of Critical Care Medicine (DCCM) invited Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) Intensive Care Annual conference attendees from China, Singapore, Korea and Japan to visit the Scientific Meeting (ASM) (which incorporates the annual Paediatric and Royal Hobart Hospital DCCM. Neonatal Intensive Care Conference) was held in Hobart in November. Professor Turner gave the visitors an overview of the operation and services of Each year the meetings attract around 1,000 attendees from Australia, New the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and escorted the group on a tour of the newly Zealand and further afield, bringing together health care professionals working developed area. The visitors showed particular interest in the monitors and in intensive care, including medical, nursing and allied health. equipment used in ICU and the size of the cubicles. The overall consensus In recognition of their expertise in their specialised fields Mr Simon Foster, was that they were very impressed with the newly developed, light and Director Corporate and Support Services North West Regional Hospital, spacious unit. Associate Professor Peter Dargaville, Director Neonatal Paediatric Intensive Belinda Cooper, Clinical Nurse Consultant, and Felicity Geeves, Nurse Unit Care Unit (NPICU), and Dr Tony De Paoli, Staff Specialist Neonatologist, Manager, ICU, both said it was a great opportunity to learn about the nurse/ NPICU were invited to speak at the conference, along with other highly patient ratio, duties undertaken in intensive care units in overseas hospitals regarded international speakers. as well as network with others working in the intensive care field who are Clinical Associate Professor Andrew Turner (currently Vice President ANZICS striving to attain better patient outcomes. Flying High with the Royal Sam in Broken Hill. Flying Doctor Service Sam Simpson, a dental trainee with Oral Health Sam visited New South Wales outback communities Wilcannia, Ivanhoe and Menindee during his stay in Broken Hill. “It was a great learning experience Services Tasmania, flew to Broken Hill in October to assist the Dentist,” Sam said. “I definitely want to go again. I got a different to join the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) for perspective of dental needs in rural communities.” two weeks work experience, after winning a much “My first experience on the RFDS plane was very interesting. The six seater plane was full and I had to sit in the cockpit with the pilot. It was very different sought after scholarship. and exciting to be sitting up front and see the countryside spread out before me.” “The Scholarship was a fantastic opportunity,” Sam said. “I gained valuable clinical experience and at the same time provided the local dentist with When his traineeship is completed next May, Sam, who is interested in health clinical assistance. I was very fortunate to work alongside RFDS dentist Dr promotion, would like to like to obtain placements in rural communities to Lyn Mayne, who established the Tooth Program dental clinics, to provide oral gain further experience in his chosen field. health services to remote communities, in 2012.” Page 3 Infocus Appropriate, Response and Relevant to Our Community Celebrating Hospital Play Specialists Month Hospitals are not generally places associated with children’s parties, but in October the hospital’s Play Specialists took over the Paediatric Unit and threw a very special party for our young patients. RHH Play Specialist Jacqui Dawborn filled the halls of the Paediatric Unit with the sounds of her ukulele which quickly enticed some very excited young children to be part of the festivities which involved playing games, singing popular nursery rhymes and a special afternoon Play Specialist Jacqui Dawborn having fun at the party! tea. play to achieve developmental goals, and support families and siblings The children were enthusiastic, as were staff that joined in with the to engage with the child through play,” Jacqui said. singing and impromptu dancing. RHH Play Specialists also assist and advise other healthcare The RHH has four Play Specialists who provide a service from 8.30am professionals