News

Communications Boards

Jun 11, 2013

New "communications boards" have been installed beside every bed in the Mildura Base Hospital, to improve the exchange of essential information between hospital staff, patients and their families.

The boards are part of a project specifically aimed at improving quality of care for older and long-term patients, but have been rolled out throughout the hospital for use in all wards.

The white-boards list basic non-confidential information about individual patient care needs, but also allow interaction between hospital staff, the patient and their family carers.

"It is about involving the patients, their families and carers in what is happening – it is a two-way communication process," said the project manager Evelien Melsen.

"The boards will list the basic information about a patient, such as their primary doctor, their dietary requirements and their mobility," Ms Melsen said.

"That means all staff, at a glance, can know the specific needs of the patient – if they're fasting, if they require assistance with meals, if they need a walking frame, or if they're at risk of falling.

"From a patient and family's perspective, the boards will also let them know who is the patient's primary nurse for the day, whether there are dietary restrictions and when the patient is expected to be discharged.

"Perhaps most importantly it also has a communications section that allows for the exchange of any messages between the patient, family and hospital staff.

"So it might be a request for the patient or the family to see a social worker or a request from nursing staff to family about something as simple as laundry needing to be done or slippers to be brought in from home."

The project developed in consultation with patients and all members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, including nursing, allied health, and support staff. The $30,000 cost was funded by the COAG Longstay Older Person Project, while the design and implementation of the boards was supported by the Redesigning Hospital Care Program

"It was specifically to provide a more person-centred approach to care for older people, but older people can be anywhere in the hospital, so the boards have gone up beside all the beds, and are used for all patients," Ms Melsen said.

"It's such a simple initiative, but the boards are really proving to be an effective communication tool , allowing patients and families to be more involved in care."