2021 SMHS Excellence Awards winners
Meet our 2021 SMHS Excellence Awards winners.
Excellence in clinical care
Comprehensive oral care project to reduce hospital-acquired pneumonia, Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group (FSFHG) Patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired aspiration pneumonia experience longer hospital stays, higher mortality rates and discharge delays. Clinical case and literature reviews by the FSFHG Hospital Acquired Complications Reduction team identified comprehensive oral care as an effective prevention strategy for general medical, surgical and geriatric inpatients. A new oral care protocol was subsequently developed based on patient’s clinical and dependency requirements. It included storing oral products on participating wards, a 'Take 5' education package for nursing teams and a patient information sheet. With evidence-based data showing improved patient outcomes, project learnings have been incorporated into policy and these practices are now embedded into clinical practice on six wards. |
Excellence in improving the patient experience
My Choice Fixed Menu and Allergy Mapping Project, FSFHG Providing tasty hospital meals suited to patients’ therapeutic, allergy and cultural dietary needs can be challenging. This collaborative project between support services and clinical staff created an innovative à la carte patient dining experience which improved meal choice, patient safety and patient satisfaction, while reducing waste. Fiona Stanley Hospital Patient Catering and Dietetics consulted widely with patients, visitors, staff and consumer advisory groups on menu concepts and meal options. In what is thought to be an Australian first, over 150 food allergies were mapped in the menu system, improving patient safety and dramatically improving choices for patients with food allergies. The final menu increased options for all patients, particularly those on restrictive therapeutic diets like gluten free and renal, and preference diets like vegetarian and vegan, and was well received by patients and staff. |
Excellence in developing and engaging our staff and teams
Annual IMPROVE Conference, FSFHG This event aims to develop Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group capacity and capability while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and interdisciplinary learning. Individuals and teams showcase their diverse work while learning the value of applying improvement tools for clinical effectiveness, efficiency, productivity and sustainability. It is also a safe environment for beginning practitioners to delve into more complex improvement efforts. Since the first event in 2015, an increasing level of project complexity has been noted along with improved abstract writing, data management, poster and oral presentation skills. Some projects have also been embedded in everyday FSFHG practice or published in internationally peer-reviewed journals. Coordinated by multidisciplinary experts in quality improvement, education and clinical practice, the 2019 conference attracted over 300 people. |
Excellence in strengthening partnerships
Aged Care Transition and Liaison Nurse, Rockingham Peel Group (RkPG) This Rockingham General Hospital collaboration with the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) supports and enables older people at risk of hospital readmission to manage their care across hospital, community and primary health boundaries. The nurse works with patients on discharge to ensure hospital developed treatment and management plans translate into sustainable self-management health care plans in the community. Assistance is provided to communicate this plan to primary health care providers including general practitioners, pharmacies and care service providers. Employment of this clinical nurse specialist was initially made possible through WAPHA project funding. In addition to reducing readmission rates from 20 to 15 per cent for patients aged 80 years and older, this collaboration contributed to improved safe medication management in the community, identification of unmet care needs and reinforced chronic disease management education. |
Excellence in innovation
Frailty Assessment Unit, FSFHG Hospital management, frontline clinical staff, external agencies and stakeholders collaborated on this integrated continuum of care for frail elderly patients through hospital back to their own home. Admitted directly from the Fiona Stanley Hospital ED, patients undergo an early comprehensive geriatric assessment by a multidisciplinary team. This includes clinical and functional assessments and development of a comprehensive management plan with Consider Home Over Inpatient Care Every time (CHOICE) principles in mind. The model of best practice developed incorporated early staff engagement, training in frailty assessment tools and daily team huddles. This evidence-based, clinician-led design service has seen a 30 per cent reduction in length of stay, a 20 per cent increase in patient’s returning home within 30 hours of hospital admission, and positive impacts on hospital and financial sustainability. |
Volunteer of the Year
Joan Salter, RkPG For over 25 years, Joan’s commitment to the Rockingham General Hospital Auxiliary has enriched the lives of patients, families, consumer and staff. Auxiliary President for the last decade, Joan’s exceptional business and interpersonal skills coupled with her integrity and compassion enable her effective leadership of 200 volunteers. Joan’s extensive responsibilities include the financial leadership and oversight of the cafeteria, gift shop, and patient trolley services that raise funds for the Auxiliary. She also interviews volunteers, oversees their training and supports work experience opportunities for high school students, disabled youth and Centrelink recipients. Joan has long played a pivotal role in funding crucial medical equipment, refurbishing multiple patient and visitor areas, and funding medical and non-medical scholarships to support continuing staff education. Read more about Joan's outstanding voluntary service (external site). |
Researcher of the Year
Professor Bu Yeap, Consultant Endocrinologist, FSFHG Internationally renowned for his endocrinology research, Bu is active in multiple Fiona Stanley Hospital research projects and contributed to a national trial of testosterone to prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk men. He is principal investigator for the WA Health In Men Study that characterised declining testosterone with increasing age and established that lower testosterone concentrations in older men predict poorer health outcomes. Bu also leads endocrine studies in the Busselton Health Study. Bu actively engages with consumers in his research and promotes a positive SMHS research culture. He is passionate about developing the next generation of researchers, providing them with research experiences and opportunities, and linking them with collaborators who will add value to their research. Read more about Bu's commitment to research (external link). |
Southern Star Award
Comprehensive oral care project to reduce hospital-acquired pneumonia, FSFHG Patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired aspiration pneumonia experience longer hospital stays, higher mortality rates and discharge delays. Clinical case and literature reviews by the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group Hospital Acquired Complications Reduction team identified comprehensive oral care as an effective prevention strategy for general medical, surgical and geriatric inpatients. A new oral care protocol was subsequently developed based on patient’s clinical and dependency requirements. It included storing oral products on participating wards, a 'Take 5' education package for nursing teams and a patient information sheet. With evidence-based data showing improved patient outcomes, project learnings have been incorporated into policy and these practices are now embedded into clinical practice on six wards. |
Chief Executive's Commitment to Excellence Award
Clare Oudman, Chaplain, FSFHG Clare consistently provides compassionate, high-level pastoral support that focuses on how the patient and staff experience are intertwined. This work can be emotionally challenging, yet Clare always seeks to recharge herself and others to ensure consistent care for all patients. Her leadership and passion have brought people of different ages, backgrounds, skills and abilities across Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group together for a common purpose. She brought song, dance and joy to Fiona Stanley and Fremantle hospitals through Christmas flashmobs and created the Fiona Stanley Hospital Choir. Clare also coordinates other events throughout the year such as 'Music in the concourse' and World Kindness Day activities. Her ability to nurture staff in a safe, creative space is outstanding and has built stronger connections to support them in their daily work. |
South Metropolitan Health Service Board Award
Peta Fisher, Coordinator of Nursing and Midwifery, FSFHG Described as a force for change, Peta is an enthusiastic leader with a reputation for teamwork, inclusiveness and appreciation. Peta works tirelessly to advance midwifery at Fiona Stanley Hospital and across South Metropolitan Health Service. A passionate advocate for improved patient outcomes and experiences, her leadership has improved access to maternity services for both low risk women and those with complex and diverse needs. Peta has driven numerous initiatives to improve maternity, pediatric and neonate patient outcomes and experiences including the Aboriginal Maternal Health Program, Maternal Fetal Assessment Unit on the move, and the Family Birthing Centre. An innovative and lateral thinker, Peta has forged a dynamic maternity unit with staff eager to expand their skills, promote new ideas and improve care or work environments. |