Nurse and midwife roadshow highlights innovation

From breastmilk feeding to dementia communication, the latest innovations and improvements from nurses and midwives across Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) were on display at the Clinical Practice and Innovation Roadshow.

The travelling roadshow visited each hospital in the district and provided an opportunity to share the fantastic projects not only with other clinicians but also with patients, families and students.

A total of 22 projects were showcased from 16 teams, with submissions from a broad range of speciality areas including mental health and perioperative nursing.

One project from Blacktown Mental Health Services sought to increase clinicians’ skills and confidence in responding to medical emergencies.

The team collaborated with the simulation lab at Blacktown Hospital to create 12 realistic scenarios and provide hands-on training for emergency situations, including basic life support. Participants also debriefed with a mental health expert after each session to ensure the psychological safety of everyone involved.

Staff reported significant improvements in their knowledge and confidence after the training and it is now in the planning phase to be expanded to Cumberland Hospital.

“Being able to showcase and celebrate the wonderful work our nurses and midwives do makes me really proud of the quality improvement activities that are being undertaken across the district, and the valuable contribution we can make to the delivery of care,” Clinical Practice and Innovation nurse manager Claire MacBean said.

Clinical Practice and Innovation acting nurse manager Susan Rebolledo said it was lovely to see the patients and visitors interested in the quality work being carried out by clinicians.

Practice Development and Quality Improvement coordinator Loraine Stephenson said the excellent diversity of the projects displayed demonstrated the commitment of nurses and midwives to quality improvement.

The teams that showcased individual or combined projects included Westmead Hospital cancer care services, intensive care unit and aged care; Cumberland Hospital units Yaralla, Paringa and Willow; Blacktown Hospital wards stroke rehabilitation, cardiology, pharmacy and surgery; Auburn Hospital close observation unit and temporary stay unit; and WSLHD Mental Health Pathways in Practice and Transition to Perioperative Practice.