Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in hospital patients worldwide. It is a time-critical illness requiring early identification and prompt intervention to improve patient mortality outcomes.
We introduced a statewide approach to sepsis assessment and management, and helped emergency departments and urgent care centres recognise and initially manage patients experiencing sepsis.
Paediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are the most common surgical procedures in childhood, usually for obstructed sleep apnoea or frequent tonsillitis. However, rates of tonsillectomy vary greatly depending on location.
Around 70 hospitals in Victoria perform tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies. Our data shows around 10% of hospitals have readmission rates higher than expected for these surgeries.
In Victoria a rapid response call occurs every 15.9 minutes.
Increasing demand on rapid response services results in stretched resources and inconsistent system responsiveness.
We will reduce repeat rapid response calls and associated impact on rapid response team resources, by producing a resource package to help services:
Victorian Healthcare Experience Survey data shows renal patients generally feel less involved in decisions about their care.
To improve this, we have developed statewide minimum criteria for informed consent.
These documents aim to improve patient involvement in decisions about their care and reduce variation in the information they receive when consenting to treatment for end stage kidney disease.
Victorian Healthcare Experience Survey data shows consumers are not adequately engaged in their care, decision making and activities to maintain function during their hospital stay. This places older patients at risk of functional decline, increased length of stay and poor health outcomes.
National data shows an unwarranted variation in how people presenting to hospital with a suspected hip fracture are screened, assessed and managed. This places the patient at higher risk of poorer outcomes and readmission.
We partnered with five hospitals to develop and test a best practice pathway outlining time critical actions to promote high-quality patient care and support timely surgery.
Patient outcomes are significantly improved when people with stroke receive care in stroke units. However, access and time spent in stroke units vary greatly across Victoria.
We explored the barriers and enablers to access for patients to a specialist stroke unit for improved patient outcomes.
Through comprehensive engagement, investigation and learning, we have established an in depth understanding of access to stroke unit care. This will guide future improvement activity.
Inotrope preparation, administration and monitoring is highly variable in Victorian critical care settings.
We standardised nine medications that support the heart across all intensive care units (ICUs). This will result in smoother and safer transfers for people who require more medical assistance.