On 6 June 2022 a new procedure was released for Additional Care Resources (formerly known as specialling) on how and when additional resources can be requested to support delivering Best Care.
It is important that frontline clinicians understand these changes that aim to ensure the safety and well-being of staff, patients and visitors.
Background
In 2020, the ACCC and EMA Divisions commenced a major review of the current Western Health Patient Observation (Specialling) Procedure in response to increasing requests for additional staff support within the organisation.
In collaboration with the Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, the aim of the review was to better understand the processes and use of additional care resources from request, approval and through to use.
The revised procedure aims to guide clinical assessment and decision-making processes around Additional Care Resources and provide a standardised approval process.
When to request Additional Care Resources
Additional Care Resources may be required in the provision of optimal care for patients who present a risk to themselves, other patients or to the staff caring for them due to changes in behaviour, cognition, health status and/or a deterioration in mental health status (not an exhaustive list of possible contributing factors).
This may include patients requiring 1:1 nursing care or 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 care or supportive care provided by a Health Care Worker or Personal Care Attendant, Security Guard or additional resource to support clinical care across an entire clinical area.
As part of the new procedure, team leaders will be considering what type of additional staff member could provide the care/supervision that a patient requires. This includes allowing a unit staff member to care for the patient and the additional resource supporting the ward.
Before requesting Additional Care staff, team leaders will be considering other options available, such as reallocating staff or moving a patient.
How to request Additional Care Resources
Nursing, Midwifery and HCW/PCA staff requests are to be submitted via the Health-e Workforce Solutions (HeWS) platform. Requests for Security staff should be made directly with Security Manager. The new procedure includes a flowchart of the approval process to be followed when considering and requesting Additional Care Resources.
Requests for Additional Care Resources will be monitored over the coming months, to evaluate the new procedure and ensure appropriate support is provided and monitor clinician to patient ratios.
Please be mindful of the resources we already have on hand and help me to consider alternative resourcing strategies as they are needed.
Submit a request via HeWS
Team briefing
It is important that we all understand how to access these resources to keep our patients and ourselves safe.
Unit Managers will step their teams through the new Additional Care Resources procedure at meetings and huddles.