Safer Care Victoria

"Asking a simple question opened the door for a whole range of things." 

-Kate Jones, Central Highlands Rural Health

Asking older people ‘What matters to you’ is a simple question with a huge impact. It supports a conversation which can improve healthcare outcomes and experiences by addressing what’s important to older people. 

"Asking a simple question opened the door for a whole range of things. Many residents had small requests which we could easily accommodate," said Kate Jones from Central Highlands Rural Health.

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Background

The COVID- 19 pandemic fundamentally changed the way patients in Victorian hospitals accessed support from their families and carers. This was associated with an increase in avoidable harm to patients across the state and a reduction in patient, family/carer, and staff satisfaction across the healthcare system.

Family and carer involvement in acute healthcare teams is not a new concept, however the lack of formally tested and implemented programs has hindered its widespread adoption across the Victorian healthcare system.

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Background

Delirium is a serious condition associated with increased mortality and length of hospital stay. Older age is a key risk factor, and early screening and recognition of delirium risk are important to improve outcomes for patients.

Delirium often goes undetected in Victorian emergency departments (EDs) and urgent care centres (UCCs) due to multiple environmental and clinical demands on staff. There is a lack of consensus on best practice and significant variability in the screening and monitoring of delirium in these settings.