Sharing the fruits of the CEC Academy’s Applied Safety and Quality program

The CEC Academy hosted its inaugural Applied Safety and Quality Program statewide graduate showcase this month. Graduates and faculty from the Academy’s dedicated learning and application support network presented and participated in panel discussions on how they have applied learnings from the Applied Safety and Quality Program in their healthcare practice.

Thirteen showcased initiatives shared a theme of mutual learning and focusing on the problem first rather than reactively trying to solve a problem with a particular solution.

Initiatives from Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) and South West Sydney LHD focused on reducing communication barriers.

“When a patient understands what the doctors are saying and what the situation is with their health, they have crossed halfway into healing,” said Frances Wood, Quality and Accreditation Officer   from ISLHD.

These initiatives were about increased awareness and use of interpreter services. Research shows that patients with limited English proficiency are more likely to be readmitted within 30 days, experience adverse events, and/or have a prolonged length of stay. This can be due to a lack of understanding or fear of procedures that are not well understood.

Other initiatives were around fall prevention, mental health, reducing hypoglycaemia and increasing infant developmental screening rates and more.

“The teams from ISLHD and across the state have showcased how their learnings around safety and quality have led to better local clinical practice and patient outcomes,” said Kylie Wright – Director of Clinical Governance, IDLHD.

“I am proud of the work and the energy to learn from each other. I am sure this will result in ongoing improvement in safety and quality across New South Wales,” she said.

“This dedicated network of learning and application support is what brings the lessons from the Applied Safety & Quality program out of the classroom and into the real world of healthcare practice,” said Adj Prof Michael C. Nicholl, Chief Executive of the CEC.

“It creates deeper learning by establishing a cycle of safe testing, failing, learning, adapting and succeeding.”

“Through sharing experience and learnings, the showcase encourages everyone to consider how they could replicate these achievements or embed learnings in work locally,” he said.