Ms Wendy Stephens1, Ms Annette Gray1, Mrs Ashleigh Stones1, Ms Jessica McLean1
1Mercy Health, Albury, Australia
Biography:
I started my Palliative care career at Caritas Christi doing a variety of roles from RN, ANUM, After-hours Co-Ordinator, Managed Day Hospice, Practice Development Nurse for Palliative Care for St Vincent’s Melbourne. Dabbled in the other crisis in life, Birthing and specialised in antenatal care at the Women’s hospital then onto a lifestyle change to the Northern beaches of Sydney for some business management of a medical device and education company to now a CNS in the community working with rural GP‘s in the country on the Murray River.
Abstract:
Background:
The Mercy Albury Palliative Care Unit (10 beds) was operating at 61% occupancy. We were not meeting the National targets resulting in a significant drop in funding.
Aims:
80% occupancy by November 2025
85% occupancy by June 2026
Methods:
Through root cause analysis and stakeholder engagement we pinpointed key causes for underperformance and identified solutions linked to the root causes.
Interventions included:
1.Demystifying myths held by referrers in other local health services around inpatient palliative care
2.Highlighting the valuable role of our flow nurse,
3.Clarification of admission criteria.
We monitored data associated with our interventions and evaluated throughout the process.
Results:
Through our interventions our occupancy went from 61% occupancy to 85% over a three-month period.
Conclusion:
Insights have been
1.Other services valued direct contact with a palliative care consultant and/or flow nurse to discuss patient needs in preparation for referral
2.Patients were being referred when it was too close to end of life or too late for transfer resulting in lack of admission
3.Engagement with stakeholders has been more powerful than expected.
We are continuing to develop and implement change strategies while maintaining strong engagement with our key stakeholders and referrers