In a Victorian first, Peninsula Health is set to introduce an advanced electronic tool that records and communicates consumers’ needs and preferences to hospital staff across all wards of its soon-to-open multi-storey tower.
Developed as part of a research project led by Rebecca Barnden, Comprehensive Care Manager at Peninsula Health, and made possible through funding from the National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA) Living Labs program, the tool has been trialled over the past two years across wards at Frankston Hospital and the Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre, reaching a milestone of 1,000 consumers using the tool to capture their needs and preferences.
The tool features survey-style questions designed to capture consumers’ individual care priorities, as well as broad needs and preferences.
Rebecca notes that staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “The concept has been well received by clinicians. Having access to this information is helping them personalise their care planning and delivery, which is incredibly important.”
“No other health service is electronically capturing this type of information from consumers and having it available in real time for staff. We’re very much a leader in this space,” says Ms Barnden.
“In the new tower, each ward will have a designated support staff member who will introduce the tool to inpatients during their hospital stay.”
Consumers will have the option to either receive a text message on their smart device with a link to the needs and preferences tool, or be assisted by the designated support staff member who will enter the information on their behalf using an iPad.
For consumers returning with a completed needs and preferences profile, this information will be available to clinicians for future presentations to the health service.
By ensuring consumers’ needs and preferences are understood and respected, this tool strives to support personalised care experiences where every individual, particularly those living with disability and/or complex needs, feels safe, valued and supported.
To read more about Rebecca Barnden’s research project, click here.
