The Princess Alexandra Hospital is at the
forefront of healthcare innovation and better quality of care for patients,
having become Australia’s first large-scale digital hospital in November 2015.
But the hospital is also at the forefront of
their budget.
Extra functionality including clinical device
integration, the delivery of digital records and wireless upgrades were some of
the reasons why Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) and Cairns Hospital ran over
budget, Queensland Health says.
A report by Queensland's Auditor-General
released last week into the financial performance of Queensland's 16 Hospital
and Health Services (HHS) found that most were performing well, but that the
budget for PAH's digital hospital roll-out had overrun by $12m and Cairns by
$15m. (Hyperlink: https://www.pulseitmagazine.com.au/australian-ehealth/3574-extra-functionality-caused-extra-cost-for-digital-hospitals-queensland-health)
The 2000 paper records that circulated in the
hospital at any given time have been replaced by real-time patient information
sent to a secure EMR.
Rollout of the project required training nearly
6000 staff and integrating more than 1600 new digital devices across the
hospital, with extensive third-party support throughout implementation.
Despite the initial financial outlay, the
benefits of a digital hospital are many. They offer:
•
A work environment attractive
to clinicians
•
Reduction in transcription,
legibility and omission errors
•
Enhanced care coordination
because of simultaneous access to the electronic record
•
Reduced time
locating/collecting patient information
•
Decreased number of avoidable
clinical incidents
•
Reduction in the number of
unnecessary administrative tasks, meaning more time to communicate with
patients about their care and needs
Princess Alexandra Hospital Chief Executive
Officer Dr Stephen Ayre will deliver the keynote at Akolade’s upcoming
Australian Digital Hospitals Summit:
Delivering Australia’s first large scale
digital hospital
•
Implementing a realistic plan
towards a fully operational digital hospital
•
Setting the standards for
digital healthcare to align innovation initiatives
•
Initial steps towards
digitisation and encouraging clinician-led innovation
Digital integration requires strategic
planning, resource management and stakeholder engagement. What does your
digital strategy look like?
Written by: Claire Dowler
Written by: Claire Dowler
Claire Dowler is a
Conference Producer with Akolade. She recently graduated with a double degree:
a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Media and Communications Studies
majoring in International Communication. Claire minored in sarcasm and puns.
A ballroom-dancer who
collects salt and pepper shakers and volunteers for animal rescue, you might
say Claire has eclectic interests.