We invite you to apply to participate in the first phase of a pilot project to improve delirium screening for people over 65 years (>45 for First Nations) on presentation to Victorian Emergency Departments (ED) and/or Urgent Care Centres (UCCs).
DETECT 1 – Phase 1 is a pilot project designed to test change ideas to improve screening for delirium in ED and UCCs. We aim to improve data and to better understand the proportion of older people at high risk when receiving emergency care.
This opportunity will enable your health service to:
- be part of a pilot project to help improve the detection of older people at risk of poor outcomes as they enter the hospital system
- test ideas that can change the rate of hospital-acquired delirium
- contribute to our understanding of delirium in the ED and UCCs, to be able to make meaningful service and system-wide change
- help test, refine, and implement changes to increase reliable methods to screen for older people at high risk for delirium in ED and UCCs
- gain experience in quality improvement (QI) science, a transferable skill set to support future QI initiatives
- build networks between SCV and participating health services
On completion of this initial pilot in 2024, there will be potential to engage in the project’s second phase into 2025 (DETECT 2). This will involve developing or scaling and spreading suitable interventions to improve patient outcomes, as the next step to an ED delirium pathway.
Who can apply?
- Applicants must be a Victorian health service with an ED or UCC.
- We are seeking engagement from metropolitan, rural and regional settings.
- All acute Victorian hospitals (private, not-for-profit, or public care providers) are eligible to apply for this project.
- Health services will form a multidisciplinary working group with a nominated project lead.
How to apply
STEP 1: Review the frequently asked questions (see further down the page) for more information about the project and SCV.
STEP 2: Decide on your project team with a minimum of 3 multidisciplinary representatives, including a project lead. We recommended other project team members include consumers, nurses, allied health, doctors, and quality co-ordinators.
STEP 3: Complete the application form. Email your expression of interest form to acutecarelhn@safercare.vic.gov.au. In the email, please include the subject line as ‘EOI DETECT Pilot’.
STEP 4: Applications will be reviewed by staff from our Acute Care and Continuing Care Learning Health Network teams.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 16 February 2024. Application outcomes will be notified by email.
For more information on the project, please contact our Acute Care Learning Health Network on (03) 9285 3847 or via acutecarelhn@safercare.vic.gov.au.