The Queensland Emergency Department Strategic Advisory Panel’s (QEDSAP) annual forum kicks-off today covering a wide range of issues and opportunities currently facing EDs across the state.
Dr Andrew Staib, Co-Chair of QEDSAP, which is proudly supported by Clinical Excellence Queensland (CEQ), said the forum provided an invaluable opportunity to share solutions to common issues such as providing quality emergency care in the face of increasing demand and patient flow challenges. ‘There will be a lot of expertise in the room from different areas, so it is an ideal time to harness that experience and map out the way forward not only for QEDSAP but for all ED services across the state.’
Dr Staib said, importantly, the forum also showcased positive ED-based projects including PROV-ED and the launch of the highly-anticipated Children’s Resuscitation Emergency Drug Dosage Guide (CREDD) book. ‘The CREDD book was inspired by work from the Monash University and is the product of a major collaborative effort between paediatric emergency specialists from the Gold Coast University Hospital and Queensland Children’s Hospital.’
‘It provides emergency staff with easy access to recommended drugs and dosages for a variety of time-critical paediatric conditions, based on the child’s weight,’ he said. ‘It’s accessible at point-of-care and will expedite treatment in serious situations.’
Dr Staib said the development of the CREDD book, funded by CEQ through QEDSAP, was ‘a massive achievement for the group and will be of great benefit to EDs across Queensland.
PICTURED ABOVE: Some of the CREDD team members join QEDSAP co-chairs: Front row (L-R): Karyn Dahms and Christa Bell, GCUH and Dr Liz Kyle, Townsville, Co-chair emergency care of children working group. Second row: Dr Andrew Staib, co-chair, QEDSAP, Dr Fiona Thomson, CHQ co-chair emergency care of children working group, Dr Niall Small, co-chair QEDSAP and Lauren Morgan, SCUH.
PROV-ED is a unique project designed to identify and facilitate the expansion of proven ED models of care that deliver high value and/or reduce low value care. Supported by QEDSAP and led by Professor Louise Cullen and her team, it is currently funding six projects from across the state and will support their broader rollout as a way to facilitate innovation.
‘The projects chosen by the review panel for funding cover lots of different areas from blood wastage to cultural safety and nurse-initiated x-ray. It’s such a novel way to identify and promote good ideas, so we’re really excited to showcase it at the QEDSAP Forum.’
‘There is no question that emergency departments are seeing unprecedented levels of demand, but equally there is no question about ED staff – they are doing their best and continue to provide high quality care.’
‘We do want to raise awareness of some of the issues facing EDs, but overall, we provide very high-quality patient care. In the heat of the moment, we’re focused on the patient – not the clock.’
He said whilst time-based targets have undoubtedly improved access to emergency care in Queensland, they don’t measure the quality and safety of care, clinical outcomes or patient satisfaction.
‘Time-based targets considered in isolation should not be the only measure of EDs. Patient outcomes should always be our primary concern.’
For more information on QEDSAP or to express your interest in joining the group in the future, please visit their webpage.
