DHS OH

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DHS - OHS Improvement Strategy

• Presented by
• Gary Robertson
• Senior OHS Coordinator

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OHS Improvement Strategy

• Aggression and Violence
• Manual Handling - non clinical
• Aging Workforce
• STEM Program

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Aggression and Violence

• Workers compensation claims by nurses that have
  resulted from violent incidents are the second
  highest followed by prison and police officers
  and then followed by enrolled nurses. (Perrone
  1999)
• SVHM had recorded 100 more violent incidents
  than other tertiary metropolitan
  hospitals.(Melbourne Herald Sun 2001)

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Aggression and Violence
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Aggression and Violence
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Aggression and Violence
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Aggression and Violence
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Aggression and Violence

• SVHM has experienced a steady increase in
  aggression violence over the past three years.
• SVHMs demographic profile and the values of the
  Sisters of Charity Health Service add to the
  potentiality for aggression violence.
• SVHM has actively pursued best practice in
  clinical and business activities.

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Aggression and Violence
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Aggression and Violence

• SVHM received funding under the DHS - Quality
  Improvement and Best Practice Funding Scheme.
• SVHMs proposal was based on Barwon Healths
  MOVAIT program which will be tailored to suit the
  needs of the SCHS.

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Aggression and Violence

• Time spent in managing violent incidents is time
  lost to clinical care.
• A substantial portion of client aggression can be
  avoided through sound practices and training,
  although this is often neglected in general
  hospital settings. (Whittington 1996 Swanton
  1989)
• The emphasis will be on predicting and preventing
  aggressive and violent incidents.

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Aggression and Violence

• Aims include
• Establish a Resource Team for training.
• Ensure appropriate education and skill
  development for members of the Violence
  Management Team.
• Increase number of staff trained in aggression
  prevention techniques.
• Decrease number of codes called.

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Aggression and Violence

• Increase the use of de-escalation techniques and
  confidence of general staff in managing
  potentially violent situations prior to the use
  of the Violence Management Team.
• Decrease the time and resources spent on managing
  violent incidents.
• Decrease number of injuries occurring to patients
  and staff as result of violent incidents.

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Aggression and Violence
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Manual Handling - non clinical

• Since the introduction of No-lift (NBIPP),
  there has been a reduction in the number of
  injuries experienced by nursing staff.
• There has also been a statistical shift in manual
  handling injuries to the non-clinical
  environment.
• SVHM has developed a manual handling program for
  non-clinical staff.
• Largely based on increased education, hazard
  identification and risk management.

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Lost Time Injuries
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Manual Handling - non clinical

• Conforms with the Manual Handling Regulations
  2000.
• Includes greater use of manual handling
  equipment
• P80 electric lifters.
• Gazunda bed movers, and Trolleys.
• The installation of linen hoists.

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Manual Handling - non clinical
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Manual Handling - non clinical
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Aging Workforce

• There is a world wide shortage of nursing
  personnel.
• Since moving to a college based education system
  - nursing qualifications are more portable.
• There are greater opportunities for nurses in
  areas other than the traditional clinical
  environment, e.g. OHS / WorkCover, School
  Nursing Program, Independent Practitioners,
  Pharmaceutical Medical Equipment sales etc.

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Aging Workforce

• The baby boomer nurses are now all in their 40s
  and 50s.
• Nurses are being encouraged to return to active
  clinical practice, in greater numbers than ever
  before.
• With age comes an increase in injury potential.
• SCHS are investigating ways to encourage nursing
  staff, to remain in active employment in the
  clinical environment for longer.

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Aging Workforce

• 2001 VHIA OHS benchmarking survey - number one.
• On site Gymnasium, Yoga, and Aerobics,
  Therapeutic massage, Security escort to vehicles,
  STAR - Support Team Action Response de-briefing,
  ACCESS counselling - external (includes family),
  Child Care Centre.
• Nearby.Therapeutic massage, Acupuncture,
  Swimming Pools, Self interest groups (arts /
  crafts / hobbies).

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STEM Program
Safety Training and Education for Managers (
Supervisors)

• Unit Managers / Department Heads had limited
  knowledge of OHS and its impact on their areas
  of responsibility.
• Incident reports were being received incomplete.

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STEM Program

• Manual Handling / No Lift
• OHS Legislation
• WorkCover Premiums
• Risk Assessment
• Risk Modelling
• Risk Assessment Teams
• NSCA Risk Rating Score
• Job Safety Analysis

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STEM Program

• OHS Policy
• Duties - employees, employers, OHS reps
• SCHS OHS Organisational Structure
• Safety MAP
• Accident / Incident/Hazard Reporting
• Serious Injury Notification
• OHS Issues Resolution
• Rehabilitation - Internalising services.

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STEM Program

• Claims Management
• Noise / Hearing Conservation
• OHS Training / Education
• Safety Induction / Job Training
• HSRs / DWGs
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Danger Tags / Isolation
• Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods

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STEM Program

• Crimes Act Industrial Manslaughter
• Case Studies
• MSDSs
• Incident Notification
• Accident Investigation
• Safety Audits
• Safety Checklists
• Nursing Safety Checklist
• Induction Checklist

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My only solution for the problem of habitual
accidents....

• Is for everybody to stay in bed all day.
• Even then there is always the chance you will
  fall out.
• Robert Benchley Chips Off the Old Benchley

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Thank you