Nursing

Nursing

Nursing within the Internal Medicine Service at the Royal Adelaide Hospital has many different specialty areas. This page gives brief descriptions of each area and contact persons. Nursing is under the leadership of Ms Jacquelin Wood who is dynamically guiding IMS nurses in the continuing tradition of excellence in nursing care.

Quality Improvement

A major and ongoing part of IMS nursing is to continue to meet accreditation requirements using the Australian HealthCare Standards EQuIP program. IMS nursing has worked extensively to create a proactive QI environment. Amongst other initiatives, we have developed our own critical reflection practice model to assist in the QI process. The model promotes the use of critical reflection by the nurse on their activities, linked into the nursing process. Outcomes are predicted for the patient as a collaborative process. For more information on the QI program contact Jackie Wood

HIV Liaison Officer

This position provides in-patient and out-patient liaison for those infected with HIV. The Clinical Nurse Consultant provides state-wide support, education and counselling about treatment and care issues for clients, their significant others and health care professionals involved with their care. CNC Michael Curry can be contacted for further information.

Respiratory Liaison

The Respiratory Clinical Nurse Consultant provides a state wide expert consultative and liaison service for clients, their carers and health service providers. This service includes provision for education to client/carers, staff, university student and community members in all areas of lung disease. Co-ordination of hospital and community based domiciliary oxygen therapy and lung volume reduction surgery programs and co-ordination of the ambulatory pulmonary rehabilitation program.

In addition to this, the Respiratory CNC is a nursing representative for policy and planning within these focused areas, engages in research and assists with clinical change where appropriate. Respiratory CNC Jo Bendyk can be contacted for further information.

Infectious Diseases

The Infectious Diseases Unit provides expert multidisciplinary care for a number of infectious diseases but primarily HIV/AIDS. The ward also cares for those patients who are VRE positive. The CNC can be contacted for further information.

General Medical 1, 2, 3, 4 / Q8, R8, R7, S7

The general medical units of IMS provide expert care of acute medically ill patients. Areas of interest are fall prevention, mobility, staff development, continence, discharge planning and medication management.

Information can be obtained from the CNCs:

Endocrine Test Unit

The Endocrine unit in collaboration with the Endocrine Laboratories of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science has developed a central testing facility - The endocrine Test Unit which is located in the Ambulatory Care Unit, Level 9 OPD.

Tests and procedures performed in the unit include: Pamidronate infusions, short Synacthen tests, oral glucose tolerance tests, calcium absorption tests, monthly Octreotide injections, infusions for enzyme deficient conditions and assist in Endocrine research trials. Contact or clinical nurse extension: 25505 for more information.

Clinical Nurse Antibiotic Treatment Centre

With the increasing need for patients to receive IV antibiotics for nosocomial infections and the development of different delivery systems, larger numbers of patients can be supported in receiving home antibiotics

The role of the Clinical Nurse is to facilitate this process. On discharge form hospital, suitable patients are seen weekly in the Centre for assessment of drug efficacy, safety and the prevention and management of complications. This is done in conjunction with Infectious Diseases Medical staff, providing a well rounded treatment service. Contact for further information

Diabetes Centre

The Diabetes Centre aims to improve outcomes for people with diabetes. The latest programs provided by the RAH Diabetes Centre aim to provide greater accessibility to health care for the customer. Examples of such programs include a Diabetes Assessment Clinic (with the patient seeing 4 health professionals in one afternoon), a phone-in stabilisation clinic, and a one day Introduction to Diabetes group. For further information, contact Clinical Nurse Consultant for further information. Telephone (08) 8222 5111 Monday-Friday Business Hours.

Neurology

The Neurology Ward R7 offers a multidisciplinary approach to care for people with the complex needs associated with ageing, stroke and neurological problems. The ward promotes independence and selfcare within individual client’s abilities. The CNC is

Dermatology Day Unit

The Dermatology Day Unit is a specialist skin treatment unit caring for psoriasis and eczema patients using ultraviolet light therapy, balneotherapy, and other treatments including Iontophoresis. More information is available from the Clinical Nurse

Respiratory Unit

The respiratory ward specialises in the acute care of patients with all types of respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis, asthma, lung cancer, tuberculosis, respiratory failure, sleep apnoea, pleural disease and the on-going management of post lung-transplant patients. Ward therapies include CPAP and BiPAP non-invasive respiratory support systems, chemotherapy, care of chest drains and palliative care management. The CNC is TBA. Included in the ward is the Thoracic Procedure Suite, which handles diagnostic procedures and interventions such as bronchoscopies, pleural aspirations, biopsies and specialised procedures including balloon dilatation. The Clinical Nurse of the procedure suite is

The Chest Clinic activities include Asthma, Lung Cancer (Nurses counselling service ) Industrial Lung diseases, Sleep Apnoea and other respiratory problems. Tuberculosis care for in-patients and outpatients. TB screening for contacts of active cases and pre employment. Outreach activities using our Mobile Xray/screening Bus unit to High risk groups requiring screening in their own environment eg Prisons, Homeless, and Aborigines (including remote area (outback). A Vaccination Accreditation course is conducted to enable staff to screen clients in high risk areas. There is a Nursing Education Clinic for a variety of respiratory related illnesses. CNC can be contacted.

The Lung Transplant co-ordinator provides all pre and post transplant care for patients throughout the State including all metropolitan hospitals and liaises with the interstate transplant clinics regarding ongoing care. The role includes counselling of clients prior to a transplantation decision. The CN is

The Cystic Fibrosis CNC co-ordinates care for the adults with cystic fibrosis within a multi-disciplinary team. The role includes home intravenous therapies, outpatient and inpatient care co-ordination, and supervision of the transition patients to adult care from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital environment.

Ward S8 - Sub Specialties Ward

• Non-monitored chest pain beds (2)
• Stroke Unit
• Immunology
• Endocrine

The Sub Specialties Ward is an initiative to centralise all Sub Specialties within the Internal Medicine Service.

Ambulatory Care Unit

Aims:
The aim of the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) is to target selective procedures, treatments, diagnostic tests and patient groups. This is achieved by providing treatment for patients in an ambulatory care setting, providing an environment for assessment and treatment in a timely cost effective manner.

Scope of Services:

• IV antibiotics
• IV infusions
• Complex wound management
• Anticoagulation therapy
• Procedures - eg lumbar puncture, muscle biopsy and abdominal taps
• Streamlining of tests eg MRI, Pathology and treatments
• Follow up clinical assessments and management

Access to the Ambulatory Care Unit:

Patients referred to the unit via the Hospital M60 Referral process will be admitted via the RAH booking system under the appropriate clinic unit number and individual consultant's bed card.

Management in Ambulatory Care Unit:

The coordination and management of the ACU will be the responsibility of , Clinical Nurse Consultant, IMS Ambulatory Care Unit

Contact numbers: