Description

The Western Sydney Local Health District Integrated Hand Service, based at Auburn Hospital, offers a specialized approach to hand injury care. This service is designed to enhance accessibility and quality for patients across the district, providing a comprehensive solution for those in need of hand surgery and therapy.

Key Features

• Centralized Care: The service brings together hand surgery under the expertise of Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, ensuring focused and specialized treatment.
• Mini Clinics: Operating on weekdays, these clinics provide timely patient reviews, significantly reducing the need for emergency department visits.
• Minor Procedure Room: Equipped for procedures under local anaesthesia, this facility minimizes the demand for emergency theatre resources.

Model of Care

The Integrated Hand Service Model of Care (MoC) is a cornerstone of this service, aimed at standardizing processes and optimizing resource use. Through clinical redesign methodology, the service addresses critical areas such as:

• Referral processes
• Communication
• Clinic capacity
• Waiting times
• Theatre resource management

Innovations and Improvements

Key initiatives include:

• E-referral updates
• Development of patient information handouts
• Implementation of a DNA (Did Not Attend) policy

These efforts are geared towards enhancing patient satisfaction and reducing missed appointments.

Early Outcomes

The service has already seen promising results, with over 200 patients benefiting from the Mini Clinics. The average visit time is approximately 40 minutes, and there has been a notable reduction in secondary emergency department admissions.

Future Plans

Continuous evaluation and a staged implementation of further improvements are planned through 2024, ensuring the service remains responsive to patient needs and stakeholder feedback.

Intended Purpose

The primary goal of this integrated service is to provide streamlined, high-quality care for hand injuries, making it an invaluable resource for patients within the Western Sydney Local Health District. Common use cases include:

• Assessment and management of hand injuries
• Minor procedures under local anaesthesia
• Post-operative and follow-up care

Through ongoing commitment to improvement and innovation, the HAND PACK WSLHD aims to set a benchmark in healthcare service delivery for hand-related conditions.