Page 1972 - Week 07 - Thursday, 23 August 2007
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accreditation shows is that systems are in place within the services to ensure that quality checks and risk management processes are in place and that the services meet the needs of ACT public hospitals. In addition, the infection control performance of the ACT’s public hospitals compare favourably with hospitals in other states and territories and are, for example, lower than major hospitals in other capital cities, such as Melbourne and Sydney. There is also a comprehensive data system in place to monitor hospital acquired infection rates and we are able to identify rapidly sources of infection and to respond quickly and appropriately.
Concerning the recommendations from the interim report, I am able to inform the Assembly that the recommendations are being comprehensively addressed. Canberra hospital currently uses the T-DOC electronic tracking system to track instrumentation which requires sterilisation. This system is being expanded to embrace all instrumentation requiring high-level disinfection and sterilisation. At the conclusion of the project the system will also enable individual matching of instrument to individual patient to ensure effective monitoring of whether any patients are being put at risk of infection.
An audit of all reusable medical and surgical devices within the Canberra hospital is underway and expected to be completed next month. The Canberra hospital gastroenterology and hepatology unit is being expanded to manage the high level disinfection and reprocessing of all reusable medical and surgical devices which do not require sterilisation. The remodelled unit is to be complete in September 2007.
A full review of governance arrangements between sterilising services and theatre management at both Canberra hospital and Calvary health care has been undertaken and improved committee structures implemented. Significant structural improvements to the Canberra hospital pre rinse sterilising unit facility are scheduled in the short term and planning for new premises is underway. A full external audit of sterilising services at the Canberra hospital, Calvary health care and the Mitchell facility has been organised for mid-September 2007.
Part 2 of the review will be finalised on completion of the Canberra hospital internal review, at which time the consultants will reconvene, consider the findings of the Canberra hospital internal report, consult with ACT Health staff, conduct a final audit of ACT Health sterilising services and provide a final report. It is anticipated that part 2 of the external review will be completed in October 2007. I will table this review in the Assembly after that date.
MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (4.25): Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to make a few brief, positive comments about this paper.
Leave granted.
MRS BURKE: I thank the minister for tabling this paper. It is something that the community has been waiting to see, so I thank the minister for bringing it forward today. I notice there are 11 recommendations, which were alluded to in the minister’s statement, which fall into four broad categories. I note that the audit of all reusable medical and surgical devices within the Canberra Hospital is currently underway. That is positive, and good news. It is expected to be completed in September 2007.
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