News and Events - Epworth HealthCare

Epworth Eastern Wins Outstanding Health Award

Epworth Eastern has won the 2009 APHA Award for Clinical Excellence, recognizing an exceptional program that introduced hourly nurse rounds and improved patient satisfaction while significantly reducing the rate of falls, pressure ulcers and medication errors over the last 12 months.

The award, which acknowledges the cultural change undertaken across the entire Epworth Eastern operation, was announced last night at a Gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt as part of the the Australian Private Hospital Association’s 29th National Congress.

Epworth HealthCare Group Chief Executive Alan Kinkade said that the program - Epworth Excellence – Accountability, Outcomes, Passion – We Can Make a Difference uses Hourly Patient Rounds and hourly feedback from Nurse Unit managers to staff to meet its goals.

“We began by closely observing similar programs in both US and Australian hospitals and then we committed to the cultural change in our group. The program focuses on building patient confidence through reassurance and their own involvement in individual recovery plans as well as the hourly bedside visits, which complement our clinical treatment and care during their stay.

“The results showed a 36% reduction in patient falls and a 50% reduction in medication errors during the past year, at the same time that the hospital has increased its overnight patient occupancy by 15 per cent,” Mr Kinkade said.

“The rollout of this program across Epworth Eastern not only achieved improved patient safety and satisfaction, but staff reported greater career enjoyment due to increased positive recognition by their managers and an overall reduction in bell calls of 20% across the wards.

“We developed seven criteria that had to be met every hour with every patient. And the proof is in the pudding, because our patient feedback shows a marked increase in complimentary phone calls and letters.

“We are thrilled to receive such a prestigious national award that recognizes the effort undertaken by all our staff and I congratulate them,” Mr Kinkade added.

Other award categories and winners included Belmont Private Hospital in Brisbane for the 2009 APHA/Baxter Award for Ambulatory Care for its General Practice Liaison and Assessment Service (GLAS). Kareena Private Hospital in Caringbah, NSW and the Marian Centre in Perth were joint winners of the 2009 APHA/Baxter Award for Community Involvement.

The APHA Awards for Quality and Excellence are sponsored by Baxter Health Care.