Improving Services At Christchurch Hospital

Improving the patient's journey through Christchurch Hospital

A project to further improve the quality, safety and performance of clinical and patient services at Christchurch Hospital has earned the innovators a place in the finals of the 2007 New Zealand Health Innovation Awards (HIA).

In 2004 the Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) launched Improving the Patient Journey which has resulted in improved patient flow and reduced waiting times and delays as patients progress through hospital care.

Each area - including the emergency department, medical and surgical streams, and radiology - conducts analysis of what slows patient flow and how this can be improved.

Firstly, clinical staff, patients and GPs who refer patients are consulted. Selected clinical and operational staff then determine what needs to be done to improve patient flow, quality of care and safety and performance levels. They work with project-management staff to implement changes.

Innovations could involve new or changed procedures, or new resources. Key service agreements are developed for each area, resources provided and the achievement of the key service indicators monitored.

Launched in 2004, Improving the Patient Journey is still evolving, but there have been significant improvements within each department. The programme was recently endorsed by the Minister of Health as the most significant piece of work on improving patient flow in the New Zealand health sector.

Improving the Patient Journey will be competing against 21 other finalists, five of which are also from the Canterbury region.

The HIA, a joint endeavour of the Ministry of Health and ACC, were started in 2003 and recognise individuals and organisations that have developed new and innovative approaches to delivering better health services.

Further information about the HIA is available online at http://www.healthinnovationawards.co.nz

This year's HIA winners will be announced at the HIA expo and gala dinner held on 10 October at the Wellington Town Hall.

ENDS

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