Page 1978 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 5 June 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
I turn to standard 4, medication safety. The ACHS assessed ACT Health as having four core criteria not met under standard 4, which relates to medication safety. One concern raised was the storage of some medications on open shelves within operating rooms. ACT Health has reviewed the storage of medications within the operating rooms. To improve medication monitoring and management, new lockable medication cupboards are scheduled to be installed this month, which will address this criterion.
Another concern related to variable compliance within some wards with manual temperature monitoring of medication fridges. The commissioning and implementation of wi-fi monitoring of medication fridges is also scheduled for early this month, which will address this criterion.
The survey has further recommended that ACT Health ensure there is a robust process for the safe storage and distribution of concentrated potassium. It should be noted that the survey has acknowledged there were already mitigating strategies in place to moderate this risk. ACT Health has moved quickly to implement an audit tool and an audit program that have now been developed and implemented to ensure there is a robust process for the safe storage and distribution of concentrated potassium solutions. ACT Health is also updating its medication handling policy to specifically include a section on the storage and handling of concentrated potassium.
The ACHS also raised concerns about the proportion of patients and receiving clinicians who are not provided with a current comprehensive list of medicines during clinical handover. ACT Health has conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of its processes for completing medi-lists when relevant and for completing discharge summaries within 48 hours. ACT Health is now implementing improvements in these processes which will address these concerns. Communications across CHHS have also commenced to ensure that all staff are aware of the accreditation process, the activities underway and what they need to do to ensure the necessary improvements are made.
Standard 4, medication safety, is one of the key focus areas. All managers have been provided with information regarding medication safety and instructed to discuss the requirements at team meetings. An all-staff forum was also held on Monday, 21 May. A key focus of this was accreditation and medication safety.
The ACHS assessed ACT Health as having three core actions not met under standard 5, which relates to patient identification and procedure matching. The surveyor identified inconsistent positive patient identification practices across different clinical areas, including the practice of accepting Medicare cards to confirm patient identity. An updated clinical handover and transport policy is being developed to incorporate positive patient ID. ACT Health is reviewing all handover documents for compliance and to ensure standardisation.
An education program has been developed and implemented for the hospital and community settings, including clinical lead workshops, dedicated workshops for ward services and clerical staff. A communication strategy has been implemented, including reminders on screensavers, posters and educational videos.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video