Melbourne Private Hospital has been applauded by Medibank Private as leading the industry in improving the safety and quality of healthcare for members and has been identified as one of the most outstanding of the 84 applicants to the fund's Incentive Pool.
Melbourne Private Hospital will launch another new initiative today, thanks to the support of Medibank Private, that will further enhance safety and quality and consequently clinical outcomes in one of Melbourne's leading private hospitals.
At a presentation ceremony held at the hospital today Medibank praised Melbourne Private Hospital's commitment to lifting the standards of patient safety and quality.
Melbourne Private Hospital has been awarded $30,000 through the Medibank Private Safety and Clinical Improvement Incentive Pool, set up to support private hospitals to improve quality and safety.
The hospital will use the grant to implement a project titled 'Critical Response Liaison Nurse' - an early intervention program that will identify patients requiring additional or advanced intervention and further mitigate the risk of future complications.
Early intervention with unstable patients can significantly reduce medical risks such as hospital cardiac arrests, unplanned intensive care admissions and readmissions, and the survival rate of patients following a hospital cardiac arrest.
Suzanne Petterson, the General Manager of Melbourne Private Hospital applauds Medibank Private for their $30,000 contribution from the Medibank Private Incentive Pool, highlighting this will result in continuing to improve the outstanding clinical outcomes for their patients.
Medibank Private National Hospital Manager, Mr Russell Bateman, commented that Melbourne Private's submission to the Medibank incentive pool was certainly one of the most outstanding from a total of 84 submissions, of which 34 were awarded grants.
"When our members go to hospital, they rightfully expect to receive the very best treatment and care possible. Medibank and private hospitals such as Melbourne Private are working together to fulfil this expectation.
"Through the Medibank Private Safety and Clinical Improvement Incentive Pool, hospitals are supported to improve clinical outcomes through innovation and best practice.
"Medibank has had an overwhelming response from hospitals to take part in the incentive pool and we're very pleased that hospitals share our commitment to improving clinical outcomes."
FACTS ABOUT THE MEDIBANK PRIVATE SAFETY AND CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT INCENTIVE POOL:
� The incentive pool is a national program sponsored by Medibank Private to support private hospitals to improve safety and clinical outcomes for patients
� Applications for funding focussed on innovation in areas including:
o Falls management
o Medication management
o Discharge planning and re-admission
o Clinical innovation
o Improving use of patient-related information
� 84 submissions from hospitals across Australia were submitted to Medibank for funding consideration
� 34 hospitals received grants to a total value of $907,488
� A pool of $1 million will be available for distribution in 2007
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Libby Woolnough - Medibank Private
T. (03) 8622 5181 or 0411 659 060 or libby_woolnough@medibank.com.au