New emergency care standards announced

THE State Government is introducing new healthcare system standards to ensure faster patient care and support emergency department staff.

The standards for safe and timely ambulance and emergency care for Victorians will be rolled out across emergency departments this year.

They were developed following consultation with clinicians, health services, Ambulance Victoria, unions, peak bodies and Safer Care Victoria.

Many have already been introduced at some hospitals.

They include measures such as redirection to alternative care settings, enhanced patient transfer procedures, more timely inpatient admissions and early discharges.

“While our ambulance and ED wait times are heading in the right direction – thanks to our hardworking healthcare workers – we know there is more to do which is why these new standards are so important,” Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.

“Despite significant and sustained demand, our hardworking doctors, nurses and ambos are making sure patients continue to receive world-class healthcare.

“These new handover standards will help deliver that care even sooner.”

The standards are based on how staff work at the Austin Hospital, which is regarded as a statewide leader and has improved emergency department handover times.

Staff allocate resources – such as a senior clinician to support faster patient transfers – and assessment guidelines to transfer suitable patients to the emergency department waiting room.

The standards will be implemented statewide in a phased approach.