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Women’s and Children’s Health Network
Acknowledgement
The Women’s and Children’s Health Network acknowledges Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of Country throughout South Australia. We acknowledge and respect their ongoing and deep spiritual connection and relationship to land, air, sea, waters, community and country. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

The Improving Safety and Quality Award

WCHN Awards 2022 feature

The Improving Safety and Quality Award recognises outstanding achievement in research or education towards improvements in patient safety and quality of care.

It supports the priorities of the WCHN’s Safety and Quality programs and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

Winner:

Conservative Spinal Management Pathway

This multi-disciplinary program is the only public paediatric spinal service in South Australia and continues to improve medical safety and quality through the avoidance of corrective surgery through alternative treatment options, where possible.

The program is being recognised for its cost-effective, evidence-based approach that aims to ensure the right treatment is offered at the right time to avoid surgery where appropriate.

Finalists:

Newborn Hearing Screening E-Learning Course

This course offers staff on-demand, standardised training which has resulted in an improvement in the quality and accuracy of hearing screening for newborns.

Health outcomes for newborns are improved through early detection and access to early intervention, while a reduction in referral rates has seen less unnecessary anxiety for parents due to testing errors.

Reducing Central Venous Access Device Infections, Michael Rice Centre

After a significant increase in Staph Aureus Bacteraemia was detected in haematology/oncology patients, a new infection control practice was introduced, combined with an extensive education program for staff. The new initiative has directly resulted in zero cases of Staph Aureus Bacteraemia recorded throughout the following year.

The team is being recognised for its commitment to maximising the safety of vulnerable patients at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and this approach has since been adapted elsewhere.