The Minister for Health, in July 2007 launched access health: healthcare for all in the ACT. This document outlined the priority health issues for 2007-2010. The project aligns with the primary priority for that plan which is to provide timely access to care, based on clinical priority.
The project commenced across the ACT in late 2007 with the primary objective of improving access to emergency care for people experiencing chest pain and heart attack.
During the project planning, the scope of the project was limited to patient flow analysis and redesign of territory wide and individual hospital acute services. The following elements were included in the project scope:
Detailed map of the acute patient journey across the ACT up to discharge from acute care identifying key blockers and limiting factors (taking into account current and prospective demand)
Emergency Department (ED) processes and links with cardiology services at both The Canberra Hospital (TCH) and Calvary Health Care (CHC)
Protocols for the operation of an ambulance transfer to the acute care service for people experiencing heart attack (Priority Access to Treatment Protocol)
Cardiac Catheter Laboratory processes, including access, scope of treatment and transfer processes
Role, function and configuration of the coronary care facilities at both hospitals
Quality Targets set for this project were:
100% of patients identified by ACT Ambulance Service as experiencing a heart attack will be transported directly to The Canberra Hospital with their clinical information transmitted via the mobile phone network to confirm the diagnosis
Best practice treatment protocols will be implemented in such a way that all staff across the ACT can follow them
Access to diagnostic and treatment facilities for people with chest pain does not exceed 72 hours
Email the Support Office or call (02) 8288 8700 for media and project enquiries.
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