In recent months, I have been assisting providers in the area of clinical governance, which is a relatively new concept not only in aged care but also in healthcare. It emerged in the late 1990s and involves a systematic approach to managing and improving the quality of clinical care provision. A recent report from the…
Recently I held a seminar on clinical governance in home care which drew attendees from a variety of settings with the majority being home care package providers. Dr Vinh Tran discussed how providers could work with general practitioners. Dr Tran works closely with many GPs and is a hearing panel member for the Medical…
Most of you would be aware of the new draft single set of quality standards called the Aged Care Quality Standards, which are designed to replace the four sets of standards currently covering residential care, home care, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care program and transition care. It is anticipated the…
“Please Lorraine, can you tell government to stop making changes? We can’t keep up!” This comment was made by an attendee at a recent seminar I hosted. Everyone laughed and clapped vigorously. I also laughed and replied that unfortunately I did not have a “telephone to glory”. We are going through what seems like rapid…
In my discussions with providers I am often asked about medication management in community care. As a registered nurse I consider this to be very important, and if not managed well, can have adverse outcomes for all. With the changes brought about by the National Disability Insurance Scheme and home care package reforms, consumers are…
With the predicted increase in community services delivering more high-level care, the onus will be on providers to have the appropriate clinical governance systems in place, writes LORRAINE POULOS. Thank you for all your feedback about my column. I have been asked to talk about clinical governance and what this may mean in a community…