Description

The HAND PACK WSLHD is an innovative service offered by the Western Sydney Local Health District, specifically designed to enhance the care of hand injury patients. Based at Auburn Hospital, this integrated service brings together hand surgery and therapy under one roof, providing a streamlined and standardised approach to patient care.

Key Features

• Service Consolidation: Since 2021, all hand surgery services have been unified under the Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery department at Auburn Hospital. This consolidation aims to deliver cohesive and comprehensive care to all patients.

• Mini Clinics: Operating on weekdays, these clinics offer timely reviews for hand injury patients by the PRS team. This initiative has successfully reduced admissions to the emergency department, serving over 200 patients with an average visit time of just 40 minutes.

• Model of Care: The service employs a standardised, integrated Model of Care, complete with comprehensive documentation and consolidated clinical guidelines, ensuring consistent and high-quality treatment for all patients.

Facilities

• Minor Procedure Room: A dedicated space for conducting procedures under local anaesthetic, significantly reducing the need for minor operations in traditional operating theatres.

Patient Flow Enhancements

• E-Referral System Updates
• Patient Information Handouts
• Did Not Attend (DNA) Policy Development

These improvements are targeted at reducing emergency department re-presentations, lowering walk-in rates, decreasing theatre list cancellations, and shortening waiting times. The service aims to meet specific performance targets by December 2024.

Clinical Redesign Methodology

The HAND PACK WSLHD employs clinical redesign methodology, engaging stakeholders through process mapping and data analysis. This approach addresses key issues such as referrals, communication, clinic capacity, process efficiency, waiting times, and theatre resource allocation.

By focusing on these areas, the service strives to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. This comprehensive and well-structured service model positions HAND PACK WSLHD as a leader in specialised hand care within the region.