Issue 8 22/04/13 fortnightly
Aged Care special feature Injuries from falls now claims more lives than car accidents Plan for rural Victorian nurses to perform X-rays New children’s hospital comes to life in Queensland Rebuild of Christchurch hospitals to begin within months
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 3
www.ncah.com.au Issue 08 – 22 April 2013 We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 08, 2013. If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or if you would like to receive our publication, please email us at careers@ncah.com.au “FACT, NOT FICTION” The NCAH Magazine distribution is independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.
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Royal Flying Doctor Service The University of Sydney TR7 Health Unified Healthcare Group Western District Health Service
Next Publication: Nurse Leaders feature Publication Date: Monday 6th May 2013 Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 29th April 2013 Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 1st May 2013
Page 4 | www.ncah.com.au
Hamilton is strategically located 3.5 hours from Melbourne and 5 hours from Adelaide. Southern Grampians spans the heart of Victoria’s renowned ‘Western District’ and boasts magnificent scenery at every turn. WDHS have the following positions available:
Nurse Unit Manager – Medical Unit We have an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and motivated nurse to join our team to manage our Medical, Intensive Care and Emergency Departments at Hamilton Base Hospital. This position offers the successful applicant the opportunity to work in a progressive and stimulating clinical environment. Experience in critical care nursing desirable but not essential.
Nurse Unit Manager – Penshurst Campus This position offers the successful applicant the opportunity to work in a progressive and stimulating aged care environment. Although previous experience in aged care and management is desirable this is an ideal opportunity for the suitable candidate to develop these skills in a fully supported and mentored environment. These positions require a person with strong leadership skills and a strong focus on clinical outcomes. The successful candidates for these roles will need to have advanced clinical skills, demonstrate effective and professional nursing practices in planning, implementing and monitoring effective nursing practice. WE OFFER: • Financially supported post graduate studies • Comprehensive orientation program • Dynamic and empowering team environment • Progressive educational and professional development opportunities • Assistance to access scholarship programs • Very generous salary packaging • Relocation package To obtain further information regarding these opportunities visit our web-site, www.wdhs.net Applications for these positions, together with your resume should be forwarded to human.resources@wdhs.net Salary and conditions are in accordance with the relevant awards. A current driver’s licence and a satisfactory police check are required. Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 5
12th Australian Palliative Care Conference
3 - 6 September 2013 National Convention Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia International Keynote Speakers Professor Irene Higginson | Professor Eric Cassell | Associate Professor Amy Chow Registration for the most important event in the palliative care calendar is now open! www.dcconferences.com.au/apcc2013/registration
Important dates: Early bird registration closes 5th June 2013 Standard registration closes 11th August 2013 For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please contact the Conference Secretariat. DC Conferences PO Box 637 North Sydney NSW 2059 P: 02 9954 4400 E: apcc2013@dcconferences.com.au W: www.dcconferences.com.au/apcc2013
Grow your career by joining ACN! We believe that each and every nurse in Australia should have the opportunity to grow their career and further our profession.
www.acn.edu.au | freecall 1800 061 660 Page 6 | www.ncah.com.au
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New children’s hospital comes to life in Queensland by Karen Keast will be really quite exceptional,” he said. We genuinely think there will be room for us to recruit new staff. We want the best people and we have got some great people working in Brisbane. – CEO Dr Peter Steer Children’s Hospital and Health Service More than 1600 nurses and allied health professionals will be employed at Queensland’s new $1.5 billion children’s hospital when it opens its doors to the state’s littlest patients later next year. The Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH), which will combine the services of the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Children’s Hospital under one roof, is taking shape on land in South Brisbane next to the Mater Hospital. The 12-level specialist public paediatric hospital will feature 359 beds, 3500 rooms spanning 80,000m2 of floor space and will include all existing services as well as featuring new clinics to treat obesity, pain and allergies, and a new renal unit. The construction also comprises a new $130 million Academic and Research Facility, an energy plant, refurbished accommodation for the Children’s Health Foundation, space for family accommodation, improved road access, a multi-level basement car park, a helipad for emergency access, and an Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service building. The final concrete pour recently marked the completion of the structure and the focus will now shift to the internal fit-out of the facility. Children’s Hospital and Health Service CEO Dr Peter Steer said the QCH will be a world-class facility once completed. “I think the facilities are a very special thing and it Page 8 | www.ncah.com.au
“We are looking to make an impact on health care for this country and this community.” Dr Steer said while staffing numbers are yet to be finalised, more than 1100 full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses and 500 FTE allied health professionals are expected to be employed at the new hospital. Dr Steer said staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Children’s Hospital will be able to apply for positions at the state-of-the-art facility and he expected there would be further employment opportunities to add more nursing and allied health staff. “Obviously we have great staff here and we would be keen to retain staff from both hospitals at the moment,” he said. “We genuinely think there will be room for us to recruit new staff. We want the best people and we have got some great people working in Brisbane.” The QCH has been designed to replicate a living tree with a network of trunks and branches. Dr Steer said the hospital will feature a familyfocused design with most overnight beds located in single rooms with an ensuite and carer’s bed, alongside family-friendly waiting facilities and recreation spaces. “We have spent a lot of time looking at the accommodation to support the needs of the accommodation of families and I think that takes a lot of pressure off the staff as well,” he said. Dr Steer said QCH will also serve as the hub of a state-wide children’s health service network. “I think there’s a great opportunity for nursing staff and allied health staff who are interested in outreach care to rural and remote communities,” he said. “We are looking at partnering a network of care across the state.”
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Nurse Unit Manager (ICU) Warrnambool, Victoria Warrnambool is a thriving seaside city with a catchment area of 110,000 people and South West Healthcare’s new hospital is considered one of the most modern and technologically advanced health services in regional Australia. Our 165 bed hospital has recently completed a $155 million redevelopment which included a state-of-the-art , 6 bed (with additional beds for future expansion), Intensive/ Critical Care Unit. The Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the human, physical and financial resources within the Unit. The NUM actively leads the ICU/CCU team in a consultative and participative manner ensuring well planned and coordinated services to clients and their families and providing clinical leadership to foster patient focused and outcome directed nursing care. To be considered for this challenging role, candidates will need: • Current registration as a Division 1 Nurse with AHPRA registration • Hold a relevant tertiary management qualification or working towards same • Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a NUM/ANUM in an intensive care unit. If you are looking to make a fresh start to your career or would like to register your interest in future job opportunities go to
www.ahnr.com.au
W: www.ahnr.com.au E: ahnr@ahnr.com.au T: 1300 981 509 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 9
Physiotherapists strengthen falls prevention work by Karen Keast Physiotherapists are working at the forefront of falls prevention, helping older people to bolster their strength and their balance and to continue being active. Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ) is raising awareness of the success of physiotherapy in the prevention of falls and treatment postfalls amid research showing a targeted physiotherapy exercise program can reduce the risk of falling between 17 and 35 per cent and the rate of falls by 22 to 27 per cent. The move comes as the Health Quality and Safety Commission shines the spotlight on falls prevention, with its month-long April Falls promotion, in a bid to reduce falls - a major cause of hospitalisation and one of the top three leading causes of injury-related death in the country. Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au
PNZ president Gill Stotter said physiotherapists are essential when it comes to falls prevention and treatment post-falls. “The majority of falls happen at home or in the community so simple steps taken to prevent falls in this environment will have a big impact,” she said. “Those over 65 have a higher risk of falling, often because of decreased balance and strength, poor eyesight or even the medicines they’re taking. “A physio can work with them to improve strength and balance and discuss ways to continue being active. Some physios will visit the home to assess any risks.” For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
Senior Flight Nurse> •
Leadership Role
•
Diverse Career Opportunity
•
Based in Alice Springs
The Royal Flying Doctor Service, Central Operations is seeking a Senior Flight Nurse to provide clinical leadership and operational management to our motivated and energetic team of caring Flight Nurses based in Alice Springs. This role will oversee and contribute to the provision of high-quality patient care and nursing excellence whilst also supporting the strategic direction of a highly skilled and dedicated team. Reporting to the Flight Nurse Manager in Adelaide, you will: • Manage a team of Flight Nurses, in conjunction with the local leadership team • Participate in the development of the strategic initiatives relating to RFDS Flight Nurses • Prepare and participate in the Flight Nurse roster • Support the recruitment and selection of staff • Monitor the professional performance and competencies of Flight Nurses • Mentor and support the local Flight Nurse team • Liaise with other Health Services. Qualifications and experience required include: • General and Midwifery Nursing qualifications, registered with AHPRA • Comprehensive experience in critical care and aero-medicine is essential • Post graduate qualifications in critical care and aero-medicine are desirable • Demonstrated ability to lead and manage staff • Ability to work both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team • Demonstrated decision making abilities • General computer literacy utilising Microsoft Office. In return we offer: • An attractive remuneration package including salary packaging benefits and housing assistance • A supportive and friendly environment where staff are valued and professional and personal development is encouraged. If you are considering a career move to an organisation that makes a real difference to all Australians, apply now. Please direct your confidential enquiries to: Greg McHugh Ph: (08) 8150 1313 Applications to: Kate Guerin, HR Coordinator PO Box 381, Marleston BC SA 5033 Email: careers@flyingdoctor.net
Applications close: 6 May 2013 The Royal Flying Doctor Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 11
“Amana Living might be aged care...
but there’s nothing aged about our approach”
Ɛ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ t ͛Ɛ ůĂƌŐĞƐƚ ŶŽƚͲĨŽƌͲƉƌŽĮƚ ŐĞĚ ĂƌĞ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƌƐ͕ ŵĂŶĂ >ŝǀŝŶŐ ŽīĞƌƐ ŵĂŶLJ ĞdžĐŝƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĚŝǀĞƌƐĞ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ ƚŽ ĐĂƌĞ ĨŽƌ ŽƵƌ ŽůĚĞƌ ŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶ͕ ĂƐƐŝƐƟŶŐ ƚŚĞŵ ŝŶ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ŚĂůĨ ŽĨ ůŝĨĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĨƵůůĞƐƚ͘ DĞĞƚ ^ŚĂƌŽŶ DĂŝƚůĂŶĚ͖ ^ŚĂƌŽŶ ũŽŝŶĞĚ ŵĂŶĂ >ŝǀŝŶŐ ŝŶ ϮϬϬϮ͕ ƵŶĚĞƌƚĂŬŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ 'ƌĂĚƵĂƚĞ EƵƌƐĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ Ăƚ ŽƵƌ WĞƚĞƌ ƌŶĞLJ ,ŽŵĞ ŝŶ ^ĂůƚĞƌ WŽŝŶƚ͘ ^ŚĂƌŽŶ ƐŽŽŶ ŵŽǀĞĚ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƟŽŶ͕ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŽŶ Ă ,ŽƐƚĞů ^ƵƉĞƌǀŝƐŽƌ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ Ăƚ tĞĂƌŶĞ ,ŽƵƐĞ ŝŶ DĂŶĚƵƌĂŚ͘ ^ŚĂƌŽŶ ƌĞŵĂŝŶƐ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ Ăƚ tĞĂƌŶĞ ,ŽƵƐĞ ƚŽĚĂLJ ĂŶĚ ŚĂƐ ũƵƐƚ ďĞĞŶ ƉƌŽŵŽƚĞĚ ƚŽ &ĂĐŝůŝƚLJ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ͘ ƚ ŵĂŶĂ >ŝǀŝŶŐ ǁĞ ƉůĂĐĞ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ĞŵƉŚĂƐŝƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ƐƚĂī͕ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ŽƵƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŚŝŐŚĞƐƚ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚ Ăƚ Ăůů ƟŵĞƐ͘ KƵƌ ĐƵůƚƵƌĞ ĂŶĚ ǁŽƌŬ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂůƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ ƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ Ă ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ŶĂƟŽŶĂůůLJ ĂĐĐƌĞĚŝƚĞĚ ĐŽƵƌƐĞƐ͘ tĞ ĂůƐŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ŇĞdžŝďůĞ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ͕ Ă ĚĞĨĞƌƌĞĚ ůĞĂǀĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͕ ƐĂůĂƌLJ ƉĂĐŬĂŐŝŶŐ͕ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ĨƵŶ ĚĂLJƐ͕ ƉůƵƐ Ă ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ŽƚŚĞƌ ďĞŶĞĮƚƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŵĂŬĞ ŵĂŶĂ >ŝǀŝŶŐ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ƉůĂĐĞ ƚŽ ǁŽƌŬ͘ &Žƌ ĨƵƚŚĞƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ŽƵƌ ZĞĐƌƵŝƚŵĞŶƚ dĞĂŵ ŽŶ ;ϬϴͿ ϵϰϮϰ ϲϯϵϰ Žƌ ǀŝƐŝƚ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ǁǁǁ͘ĂŵĂŶĂůŝǀŝŶŐ͘ĐŽŵ͘ĂƵ
Excellent Career
Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au
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year,forwith enrolments closing either late January late June. Designed doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses and otheror professionals Distance education online study is available to or students worldwide. The program commences in March August interested or involved in the care of people experiencing pain in palliative care. Distance education online study is available to students each
Distance online study is available to or students worldwide. The program commences in March August each Cost: year, witheducation enrolments closing either late January or late June.
Continuingprogram Education Opportunities commences in March or August each program commences in March or or August each year, with enrolments closing either late January late June. 1. Pain Multidisciplinary Workshop year, with Management enrolments closing either late January or late June. year,Educational with enrolments closing either late January or late June. Other Opportunities: worldwide. $198 (GST incl.) The worldwide. The
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1: The Problem of Pain (4 - 7 February 2013) A range Wk of flexible educational opportunities is available via the Pain Management Research Institute,Wk University of Management Sydney. 2: The of Pain (11 - 14 February 2013) 2. Pain in Palliative Symposium (4Workshop May 2013) 1. Pain Multidisciplinary Wk 1:Management The ProblemCare of Pain (4 - 7 February 2013) Workshop 1. Pain Management Multidisciplinary Workshop 3. Webinar Skills Training in Pain Management (2013 dates TBC) Wk 1: The Problem of Pain (4 7 February 2013) Wk 2: of (4 Pain - 14 February 2013) Distance online study of is available to students worldwide. The program commences Wk education 1: The The Management Problem Pain - 7(11 February 2013) Wk or 1:July The Problem of Pain (4 - 7(11 February 2013) 2013) in March each year. Wk 2: The Management of Pain 14 February 2. Pain in Palliative Care Symposium (4 May 2013) For2:further information: Wk The Management of Pain (11 - 14 February 2013) Continuing Opportunities Wk 2:inEducation The Management of Pain (11 - May 14 February 2013) 2. Pain Palliative Care Symposium (4or 2013) http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/pmri contact Ms Ros Wyllie. 3. Webinar Skills Training in Pain Management (2013 dates TBC) 2. Pain inSkills Palliative Symposium (4 May 2013) 1. Webinar Training inCare Pain Management (2013) 2. Pain in Palliative Care Symposium (4 May 2013) 3. Webinar Skills Training inF:Pain Management (2013 dates TBC) T: + 61 (0) 2 9926 7386 +61 (0) 2(19 9926 6780 2. Understanding and Treating Headache Symposium October 2013) 3. Webinar Skills Training in Pain Management (2013 dates TBC) ros.wyllie@sydney.edu.au 3. Webinar Skills Training in Pain Management (2013available dates TBC) For further information: CME and PD credits 3. Pain Management Multidisciplinary Workshop For further information: Wk 1: The Problem of Pain (10 - 13 February 2014) http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/pmri or contact Ms Ros Wyllie. For further information: For further information: Wk 2: The Management of Pain (17 20 February 2014) http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/pmri contact Ms Ros Wyllie. T: + 61 (0) 2 9926 7386 F: +61 (0) 2or 9926 6780 http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/pmri or contact Ms Ros Wyllie. For further information: http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/pmri or contact Ms Ros Wyllie. T: + 61 (0) 2 9926 7386 F: +61CME (0) 2and 9926 6780 ros.wyllie@sydney.edu.au PD credits available T: + 61 (0) 2 9926 7386 F: +61 (0) 2 9926 6780 http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/pmri or contact Ms Ros Wyllie. T:+ +6161 (0) 2 1516 9926 7386 F: +61 (0) 2and 9926 6780 T:ros.wyllie@sydney.edu.au (0) 2 9463 F: +61 (0) 2 9463 1050 CME PD credits available ros.wyllie@sydney.edu.au CME and PD credits available ros.wyllie@sydney.edu.au ros.wyllie@sydney.edu.au CME and PD credits available
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 13
Do you want to make every day the best it can be? Here at Allity Aged Care you can be part of a team that can really make a difference. When it comes to our relationships, be it with the community, residents, friends, relatives or staff, we are committed to giving our all to live by our vision of making every day the best it can be. As one of Australia’s leading providers of residential aged care, we are known for our philosophy of challenging the ‘status quo’. Our continuous improvement programs are uncompromisingly focused on ensuring we deliver high quality holistic care. We are proud of our Workforce Reform and Best Care models which are changing the way we care for both our residents and our staff. If you want to grow with a team of passionate professionals at the forefront of innovation in Aged Care – come join us!
www.allity.currentjobs.com.au Page 14 | www.ncah.com.au
Not just nursing, it’s enriching lives BlueCross Residential & Community Care has 22 aged care residences across Melbourne, offering care to people from all walks of life. We pride ourselves on our rich culture of creativity and innovation. As we continue to grow, we have a number of opportunities, including experienced Endorsed Enrolled Nurse positions. With a positive working environment and opportunities for career progression, BlueCross should be your next move. Contact Terri Jesse on 03 9828 1200 to find out more about working at BlueCross.
‘I go to work with a smile and love that the smile is always returned.’
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“Working for Baptcare is a huge bonus, it’s about the satisfaction we get from providing quality care to our clients. I recommend Baptcare to anyone if you really want to go home smiling.” Jad, Baptcare team member
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 15
RDNS telehealth project could be expanded by Karen Keast Royal District Nursing Service’s (RDNS) innovative telehealth pilot project will be evaluated amid hopes it could be rolled out to assist more older Victorians to remain in their homes for longer. The Happy, Healthy and at Home project has connected 50 older people living independently, including a 94-year-old client, to nurses for their medication management for the past two years. The pilot project will end in June, when RDNS and La Trobe University’s Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing will evaluate its success and consider the potential for the project to be expanded for a range of uses. The telehealth project involves a remote broadband monitoring system which features a purpose-built hand-held device with a large video conferencing touch screen, connecting clients with nurses at the RDNS customer service centre at Camberwell. RDNS projects and business development executive general manager Stelvio Vido said there was enormous potential for the highspeed broadband technology project to be expanded. “We are pretty excited about it,” he said. “We are currently using it for medication management but we can see many other potential uses for it. “We could use it for remote monitoring of clients with chronic conditions, where regular monitoring of key vital signs can be used, for health coaching, for general support to clients in cases of the palliative care sense - it has a range of applications.” Mr Vido, who recently spoke about the project at the Ageing Asia Investment Forum (AAIF) in Singapore, said clients involved in the pilot had also embraced the use of telehealth. “Some of them enjoy the technology aspect Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au
and being a part of something modern and forward looking,” he said. “The oldest client to use the technology was 94. It’s amazing just the age of the clients using the service and it really does debunk the urban myth that older people can’t embrace technology. “That hasn’t been our experience.” Mr Vido outlined the benefits of the telehealth project at the AAIF, an international platform designed to showcase leading products and services targeted at the needs of the 1.2 billion ageing baby boomers in Asia-Pacific region. The forum comes as Australia’s population aged over 65 years is tipped to grow from 2.1 million people today to about 7.2 million by 2051, representing one quarter of the population. Mr Vido said many countries across the globe were also facing the pressures of caring for an increasing ageing population. “This…(forum was) an opportunity for RDNS to demonstrate that Australia is up there in terms of telehealth initiatives,” he said. Mr Vido said the benefits of “virtual nursing” included eliminating some of the need for travel and as a result enabling clinical staff to care for more clients. “This is just one example of us looking at what opportunities technology offers in a way that doesn’t compromise the client-nurse relationship,” he said. “Telehealth element.”
is
not
replacing
the
human
The Happy, Healthy and at Home project was one of 12 projects to share in the Victorian Government’s $4 million Broadband-Enabled Innovation Program (BEIP), helping to promote the use of broadband in a bid to revolutionise access to healthcare for regional and rural patients.
Careers at Anglican Care Are you looking for job security within an established organisation? Seeking a strong workplace culture with a reputation for quality care? Situated in the beautiful Hunter and Central Coast regions, Anglican Care offers a wide choice of quality aged care service options to meet individual needs, enhance lifestyle, encourage independence, maintain socialisation within our community and assure peace of mind. Our team are dedicated to providing an individual approach to care and fostering an enriching lifestyle for our residents and clients. At Anglican Care our goal is to attract like minded people who share our Vision, Mission and Values, where all staff work side by side to deliver the best possible resident and client care.
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Excellent Care, Quality Lifestyle Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 17
Injuries from falls now claims more lives than car accidents by Karen Keast predisposing medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, incontinence and vision problems, according to research. Hospital admissions, for any reason, also increase an older person’s risk of falling, while older people experiencing a fall and developing a fear of falling also increases their risk of falls.
Falls among older people now cause more injury-related deaths than car accidents. A new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, Hospitalisations due to falls by older people Australia 2009-10, shows the number of hospitalised injury cases due to falls is drastically rising, up more than 5000 people aged 65 and over in 2008-09 to reach 83,800 in 2009-10. “Falls are the cause of a substantial number of injury-related deaths in Australia, more numerous now than transport crash fatalities,” the report states.
The AIHW report shows about a third of fall injury cases resulted in injuries to the hip and thigh, with most of those hip fractures, while head injuries accounted for one in five hospitalised cases and were more common in men than women. The AIHW report is the sixth in a series of reports on hospitalisations due to falls by older people and analyses fall-related hospital separations data from the National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD).
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It found the estimated incidence rate of fall injury cases in aged care facilities was almost six times as high as that of older people living at home, while 70 per cent of hospitalised falls occurred in either a home or aged care facility. The average length of hospital stay after a fall was 15.5 days while one in every 10 days spent in hospital by an older person was directly attributable to a fall-related injury. Research shows about one-third of older people living at home in Australia experience at least one fall in a year, and the AIHW report shows the most common cause is slipping, tripping or stumbling on the same level rather than falling from furniture or steps. Fall risk factors include social-economic factors, age, sex, medication use and Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 19
How nurses can nourish themselves through shift work hours Research shows job stress and shift work is contributing to obesity among nurses in America. While there is no known study linking obesity to shift work in Australia, nurses can take proactive steps to keep the extra kilos at bay and ensure they stay healthy for peak performance not only at work but in their every day lives, writes Karen Keast. Nurses are the experts when it comes to taking care of others but nurses, especially those working shift-work, are often too busy and too tired to care for and properly nourish themselves. A study out of the United States last year found nurses working shift work and longer hours are more stressed and in roles requiring less physical exertion and movement. As a result, the research showed shift working nurses are more likely to be obese than their underweight or normal weight colleagues. The University of Maryland’s School of Nursing study, published in the Journal of Nursing Administration, found 57 per cent of the 2103 female nurses surveyed in the study were obese. “Long work hours and shift work adversely affect quantity and quality of sleep, which often interferes with adherence to healthy behaviour and increases obesity,” lead researcher Kihye Han said. Researchers say the evidence should prompt a re-think of nurse scheduling and they also argue the importance of nurses being able to nap in the workplace to stave off the effects of work-related sleep deprivation, in a bid to reduce fatigue and boost energy for healthy behaviours. Previous research also shows unfavourable nursing schedules not only have an impact Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au
on nurses’ health but also on hospitals and their patient care outcomes. In Australia, while there is no known study examining the effect of shift work on nurses’ waistlines and overall health, the Australian Nursing Federation has acknowledged it’s more challenging for nurses working shifts to include regular exercise, maintain a healthy diet and achieve adequate amounts of rest. The ANF advocates for longer breaks between late shifts and early starts, and also urges shift working nurses to keep fit and healthy. The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) advises shift workers to eat from the five food groups – fruit, vegetables, lean meats, reduced fat dairy, breads and cereals outlined in the recently updated Australian Dietary Guidelines. Dietitians Association of Australia spokesperson and Accredited Practising Dietitian Natasha Meerding says there are no set recommendations for what shift workers should eat and at what times, instead it comes down to personal preference and lifestyles. “It might suit some to have an evening meal at around 6pm with their family before going off to work, followed by a light meal mid-shift when they have a break, and some other healthy snacks, then to have breakfast when they returned home,” she says. “It may suit others to have breakfast prior to work, a light meal mid-shift and then dinner on returning home. Eating patterns vary greatly from person to person.” Ms Meerding says shift workers can face problems ranging from weight gain to weight loss along with difficulty falling asleep and high blood pressure. “It’s hard enough for people working nine to
five but shift workers have it even harder than the rest of us,” she says. “There are things that can be done to prevent those issues - eat from the five food groups and get some activity in most days.” A community dietitian based in Hobart, Ms Meerding says it’s important to eat healthy, meet the recommended number of serves for each food group and advises against any dramatic increase in the volume of food consumed while working shifts. Workplace environments can also have a big impact on how shift workers eat. Ms Meerding says vending machines, filled with high fat, high sugar drinks and food, and staff rooms with biscuit barrels and cakes often lure workers into making poor choices when tired. She says “healthy” vending machines, filled with pots of tinned fruit, crackers and cheese, sandwiches and instant microwaveable meals, are being trialled and could soon be on the way, in the meantime it’s important for organisations to provide ample fridge space for employees to store healthy food, introduce blenders for making smoothies, and add microwaves to heat food. Ms Meerding advises nurses cook up and freeze batches of healthy meals at home, such as curries and pasta bakes with lots of vegetables, legumes and lean meat, to take to work in small portions. “Avoid large meals, they can cause heart burn and make you feel sleepy and sluggish,” she says. Employees can also work together to introduce fruit bowls; where staff buy a large batch of fruit and organise a kitty where employees can pay for the fruit they eat. Ms Meerding suggests shift workers snack on fruit and low fat yoghurt, dry roasted nuts, wholegrain crackers and reduced fat cheese,
vegie sticks and dips, while they should also drink water and avoid consuming too much caffeine, cola and energy drinks. “Even though you might feel tired, large amounts of caffeine can disturb sleep,” she says. “It stays in your system for eight hours. “You might be tired and exhausted but you need to stop drinking it at least four hours before going to sleep, and aim to have no more than 400mg of caffeine; the equivalent of less than four instant coffees.” Ms Meerding says it’s also important for shift workers to move away from their work stations when they have a break, and either walk around the ward or up and down stairs to boost their energy levels. She says shift workers who often struggle to include physical activity in their day can combine activity with social catch-ups on their days off, such as going to the gym or walking with a friend. Choosing healthy options will not only give nurses longer lasting energy, keeping them alert and better equipped to carry out their professional duties, regardless of the time of day or night, it will also keep nurses healthier in the long term. “What we eat is definitely important,” Ms Meerding says. “We know it prevents things like cardiac disease later in life and getting certain cancers. “Eating healthy and staying physically active is the best thing we can do for our own physical and mental health.” For more information visit Government’s Eat For Health there are recipes and tips for at the DAA website. For more advice seek out an APD.
the Federal website and smart eating individualised
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 21
Plan for rural Victorian nurses to perform X-rays by Karen Keast Victoria could follow in the footsteps of other Australian states where nurses at small rural hospitals receive training to perform X-rays. In a move met with opposition from radiographers, amid reports about 300 radiographers Australiawide are searching for employment, Victoria’s Department of Health is finalising guidelines for rural hospitals to apply for permits to train nurses to perform X-rays limited to extremities.
“We want to ensure that hospitals where they should be employing their own radiographers do so and that they don’t seek to use nurses as a cheaper option. “At the same time, we have got the issue of wanting to ensure that patients in rural Victoria who do need access to less complicated radiography services, are not being treated as second class citizens.”
The move comes after a 2009 pilot program involving three nurses at Lorne, who participated in a 10-week radiography course in South Australia, was labelled a success.
Ms Fitzpatrick said hospitals should also be transparent and inform patients when registered nurses, and not radiographers, are providing patients’ radiography services.
Victoria already has about 100 health professionals, mostly GPs, who have trained to provide radiography services.
As part of the program, she said the radiography course needs to be comprehensive, accredited and applicable nation-wide while nurses will also need access and support to receive ongoing professional development in the field.
Australian Nursing Federation Victorian Branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said there needs to be strict rules governing the use of nurses performing X-rays. Ms Fitzpatrick said hospitals should first be required to demonstrate that they have attempted to employ radiographers. “We want to ensure that nurses aren’t taking on radiographers’ work,” she said. “We think it’s important to recognise the expertise of radiographers…it isn’t possible to learn in a 10-week course what a radiographer learns in four years of undergraduate study.
“We just want to make sure that there are fences put around it, that the community understands the services and who is providing the service, that we are not in any way putting radiographers out of work and ensuring that those best qualified are offering radiography services,” she said. Ms Fitzpatrick said she believed nurses in other states, such as Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, were already providing X-rays in some rural and remote hospitals along with physiotherapists.
… it isn’t possible to learn in a 10-week course what a radiographer learns in four years of undergraduate study. – Lisa Fitzpatrick Australian Nursing Federation Victorian Branch Secretary
Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 23
Rebuild of Christchurch hospitals to begin within months by Karen Keast Outpatients Building of House & Cafe , , Procedures , & Education
“Christchurch will have world class facilities once the rebuild is complete.”
Back of House Cycle Store
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Canterbury District Health Board chair Bruce Matheson said constructing the older person’s facility at Burwood was the first priority. Staff Parking Visitor Parking Theatres Expansion Main Entry Wards Expansion Future Expansion Adult Rehab Ward Ground Floor AT&R Stroke Ward Ground Floor
“We now have clear priorities and the expectation is that the first of our new facilities at Burwood will be open in two years,” he said. “This is a very challenging time-frame and one we intend to meet.”
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CDHB had been planning to redevelop its health services since 2008 but the damaging earthquakes stalled progress. B UR W OO R E DE V E
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Construction of a new facility for older people’s health will spearhead the epic redevelopment at New Zealand’s Burwood and Christchurch hospitals. In the wake of the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, the largest hospital build in the history of the country’s public health service, which comes with a price tag of more than $600 million, has been given the green light with site clearing at Burwood Hospital to begin in the next few months. Burwood Hospital will receive a new facility for older people’s health comprising nine 24-bed wards and adult rehabilitation, with a planned completion date of 2015. Christchurch Hospital will receive a new expanded intensive care unit and emergency department, purpose-designed space for children, eight new operating theatres, inpatient wards and new outpatient facilities, with works set for completion in 2018. Together, the two hospitals will have an extra 159 beds, taking the tally to 938, and an extra eight operating theatres, taking the total to 24 operating theatres. “This project will give a tremendous boost to doctors, nurses and other health professionals as well as the general public,” Health Minister Tony Ryall said. Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au
About 106 beds were lost due to the closure of two floors in the Riverside Block at Christchurch Hospital, while around 200 buildings and over 1200 rooms required repairs. 3.102
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 25
Proposed social media rules for nursing and allied health released by Karen Keast Nurses and allied health professionals should not discuss patients or post pictures of procedures, case studies, patients or sensitive material without obtaining consent in appropriate situations, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) first ever guidelines for social media. AHPRA has released its proposed social media guidelines, which will act as a generic policy spanning all 14 National Boards, for public consultation. The social media guidelines warn registered health practitioners against breaching their confidentiality and privacy obligations and also cautions against breaches of their professional obligations. The two-page policy advises nurses and allied health professionals to present information on social media in an unbiased, evidence-informed context and not to make unsubstantiated claims. The proposed policy, which forms part of the common guidelines and codes of conduct for all registered health practitioners and students in Board-approved courses, focuses on professional obligations and obligations in relation to advertising for social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, personal websites, discussion forums, message boards and blogs. The public consultation paper emphasises the social media policy provides guidance from a regulatory perspective, and refers practitioners to other sources such as peak health professional organisations for social media guidance beyond its regulatory role. The draft policy covers legal restrictions on advertising under the National Law and Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au
general guidance about good practice and practitioner behaviour, while outlining that the principles of professional behaviour and ethical conduct apply whether in person or online. “The National Boards’ responsibility in relation to social media is to clearly articulate how the obligations under the National Law which focus on protecting the public apply to social media,” it states. “The National Boards…are proposing an approach which addresses the regulatory issues related to social media, consistent with the Boards’ role, but which does not unnecessarily restrict the use of social media that is unrelated to a practitioner’s professional life.” Once finalised, the document will apply to 530,000 registered health practitioners across Australia, spanning professions including occupational therapy, medical radiation, nursing and midwifery, optometry, osteopathy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The consultation paper is available at www. ahpra.gov.au/News/Current-Consultations. aspx. Public consultation closes on May 30, 2013.
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 27
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ANF unveils new Hobart training and research facility by Karen Keast The Australian Nursing Federation has opened the doors to a new $2.5 million training and research facility in Hobart. The innovative Health Education and Research Centre will enable the Tasmanian branch to deliver training courses, including professional development for the state’s nurses, midwives and personal carers as well as training for other health professionals. It features a replica hospital ward equipped with simulated patients and also includes a lecture theatre, library, conference room and meeting rooms as well as video-conferencing. The five-level facility, which was built at the back of the heritage-listed ANF building, will also serve as a home for research into workforce planning and development. Page 28 | www.ncah.com.au
ANF Tasmanian branch nurse education manager Dr Lisa Dalton said while the union has always offered professional development training and more recently vocational studies, the new centre was an opportunity for it to extend its services. “It’s really exciting for us and what it will allow us to do is embed the quality and flexibility into the programs that we already have,” she said. “The facilities are so well equipped it will be really beneficial for Tasmania to share those resources.” Dr Dalton said the centre offered a contemporary “hands on” approach to training with a high fidelity simulation unit. For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8 | Page 29
Victorian paramedics’ dispute sours by Karen Keast
Victorian paramedics are the highest trained paramedics in Australia but are paid up to 30 per cent less than their interstate colleagues, according to the ambulance workers’ union.
the best cardiac arrest survival outcomes, diagnose and treat serious medical conditions such as heart attack, stroke, anaphylaxis, meningococcal disease and sepsis.
Paramedics have taken protected industrial action with work bans, ranging from wearing campaign t-shirts on the job to refusing any upward relieving of managers’ roles, after the latest negotiations in the eight-month wage dispute turned sour.
“They perform advanced clinical skills such as placing patients into an induced coma (Rapid Sequence Intubation) and the surgical insertion of an airway (Cricothyroidotomy),” the petition states.
Ambulance Employees Association Victoria general secretary Steve McGhie said members rejected a recent offer for a pay rise of 2.5 per cent which included no other changes to the current EBA. But Mr McGhie said members would accept a 2.5 per cent deal with arbitration on wages only but the union was yet to receive a response from Ambulance Victoria. “2.5 per cent would buy some peace in the industry until the outcome of arbitration,” he said. “If it went off to arbitration the respective sides can argue their case and the industrial umpire can decide. “We think that’s a fair and proper process.” The union has launched a campaign Facebook page and has also received more than 8000 signatures on its online petition to Victorian Premier Denis Napthine. The petition states Victorian paramedics achieve Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au
“They also deliver Australia’s most advanced prehospital management of obstetric emergencies and subsequent care of mother and baby. “They are constantly advancing their skills with cutting-edge clinical interventions such as 12 Lead ECG and thrombolysis for heart attack patients, as well as new intravenous drug and fluid therapies. “Despite this Victorian paramedics are the lowest paid in Australia and many are considering moving interstate where they will be paid up to 30 per cent more to practice their skills.” Mr McGhie said the state’s ambulance system faces a major crisis. “I think paramedics are pretty angry, they are frustrated and they are disappointed,” he said. “They think they are being undervalued by Ambulance Victoria and the state government. There’s no goodwill in the system. “Unless it’s addressed appropriately I think we have got major problems ahead of us in the ambulance industry,” he said.
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 8
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