The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality has now finalised the 10 National Health Care Standards. These standards provide a nationally consistent and uniform set of measures of safety and quality. They also form part of a framework for health care which are consumer centred, driven by information and organised to create a safe hospital environment for patients. From January 2013 all services will be reviewed at the next accreditation cycle using these standards. Therefore QEII Hospital will be reviewed against these standards in September 2014.
The ACHS Evaluation and Quality Improvement Program (EQuIP) involves establishing accountability mechanisms that will assist organisation's to demonstrate their standards and outcomes and help focus the organisation on providing quality care and services.
Benefits of Accreditation
The Pathway to Excellence Program® is a product of the American Nurses Credentialing Centre and our participation has been included in our local Operational Plan for the coming year and in the Metro South Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan for future years.
Mission QEII Nurses constantly strive to deliver high quality person centred care, which respects the patient, their family and the community. We practice within the multidisciplinary team to achieve safe and optimal outcomes, through advocating and empowering the person to be partners in their care.
Vision QEII Nurses are innovative leaders who promote a culture of excellence through research, evidence based care and practice, and commitment to health care. QEII Hospital will be recognised for excellence in nursing by being designated a Pathway hospital.
Values
Pathway to Excellence Pathway Standards
The Pathway to Excellence ® program is an evidence based quality program, run by the American Nurses Credentialing Centre (ANCC), focusing on excellence in nursing and midwifery services leading to improved patient outcomes. It recognises the hospital’s commitment to a positive practice environment with high levels of job satisfaction, patient care and safety. To achieve the Pathway to Excellence ® designation an organisation is assessed against the 6 pathway standards
Following a rigorous, two-year application process, QEII Hospital has been awarded the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Pathway to Excellence® designation.
Director of Nursing Services Nicki Dennis said the Pathway Program recognised QEII Hospital’s commitment to creating a positive nursing environment that empowered and engaged staff.
“It’s all about nurses supporting nurses, and taking pride in our profession,” she said.
“To gain this designation we had to demonstrate that we meet six specific performance standards, which include seeking nurses’ input on issues related to safety, well-being, professional development, quality of care, leadership and shared decision making.”
Ms Dennis said the Program helped improve patient care.
“We are extraordinarily proud of all our nurses and all their hard work over the last two years to achieve this world-renowned designation,” she said.
“It was no easy feat, but it was worth it.
“We expect our nurses to provide the best patient care possible and go above and beyond each day, so in turn it is our job to ensure that they feel supported, engaged, and satisfied in their workplace.”
American Nurses Credentialing Center stated that when Pathway Standards were encultured throughout an organisation, the nurses, patients, organisation and the community it served, all benefited.
“The application process has helped us develop a new way of doing things that aligns us with initiatives that create the very best environments for our patients to heal and for our nurses to succeed and grow professionally,” Ms Dennis Said.
“We may have the official designation now, but the real journey has just begun. We’ll always strive for better.”
What is Planetree?
Planetree is an international recognition program which acknowledges excellence in person-centred care.
The philosophy of Planetree is about:
We are committed to providing the best possible health care experience for our patients, and their carers and loved ones.
Research shows that person-centred organisations have better clinical outcomes for patients such as:
