Annual Report 2011 - Calvary Health Care Bethlehem

Investing in Technology
Infrastructure
Information Technology has had a challenging year,
with major changes in both network infrastructure
and resource requirements. The potential to embrace
technology and integrate it within the entire hospital to
improve services has led to an audit of all information
technology infrastructure at the hospital.
The aim of the audit was to better understand the current
situation in our technology vulnerabilities including
hardware, security threat, risk management and data
recovery. These results will allow us to improve and
develop our future systems.
Implementation of Helpbox
Helpbox is an application software that enables all user
requests to be sent to the Little Company of Mary Health
Care National Office. This replaces the outdated systems
currently being used with a centralised, streamlined and
highly transparent process for all stakeholders.
Technical experts are addressing the majority of issues
from a central location, greatly reducing the impost
on local resources. Uptake of the software has been
impressive with an immediate benefit to users and more
timely resolution. The high visibility for end users and
Management now provides instant feedback on job
status, priorities and resourcing requirements.
A handful of users have been working with Helpbox
for the last 12 months and now it is being rolled out to
nominated users across the hospital. Staff are currently in
the training phase of the roll out.
Site Risk Survey
In April this year representatives from Victorian Managed
Insurance Authority (VMIA) attended the hospital to
conduct a Site Risk Survey.
This Site Risk Survey was required to assess the
property and public liability risk exposures of the hospital
against various applicable standards and to assist VMIA
to develop an aggregate view of risk across the Victorian
Public Service.
Overall, the main focus of this Site Risk Survey was
to investigate the risk profile of the hospital and the
contributions to the risk exposure that our assets make to
site-wide risk levels together with the treatment, control
systems and activities that serve to manage those risks.
The Site Risk Surveys main areas of focus were hazards,
construction, essential services, risk management systems,
building services and equipment and public safety.
Overall, our hospital achieved a result of ‘Very Good’ in
the Site Risk Survey. These results support our continued
commitment to the above stated areas. Only a handful of
minor and low priority recommendations were also made.
These minor recommendations have been accepted by
Management and are under review and rectification over
the next few months.
The Spirit of Life – A Privilege
As a clinical staff member of the hospital I was
recently asked ‘how do you work with people who
are dying – it must be so depressing?’
I can see how an observer might think that,
however that is not how I feel.
It is a privilege to support and take care of
patients who are facing a life-limiting illness
and working with a broad multidisciplinary team
makes my work rewarding and worthwhile.
Patients facing a life-limiting illness seem to
embrace life more fully and share so much of
themselves and their lives. As a clinician I find
sharing this journey with them, both professionally
and personally enriching.
It is also the bond of working with different clinical
staff from so many disciplinary areas to support
one patient that makes the teamwork aspect of
the job incredibly rewarding. One patient could
be supported by at least ten different clinical
disciplines. All team members aspire to provide
the best quality of care possible, based on the
Mission and Values of Hospitality, Respect,
Stewardship and Healing. All of these Values are
deeply entrenched in our daily work practices.
Ensuring patients have the best quality of
life needs input from many members of the
interdisciplinary team, so that the most appropriate
solutions are found for the patient and their family.
As I reflect on the fact that patients facing a
life-limiting illness are often vulnerable, I have
learnt that they benefit from the support of an
experienced and integrated team.
I am truly fortunate to work as part of the team
at our hospital.
Calvary Health Care Bethlehem 2010 – 11 Annual Report
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