Royal North Shore Hospital is committed to providing person-centred care for all patients, especially those who are cognitively impaired.
Royal North Shore Hospital has implemented a number of policies, procedures and guidelines, along with assessment tools, services, and education to support the Caring for Cognitive Impairment campaign, including:
Cognitive care is an ongoing challenge, requiring ongoing staff education and support. Challenges arise if staff do not have the relevant education or experience to deal with patients who are cognitively impaired, resulting in the patient’s behaviour escalating due to unmet needs.
Recognising the importance of the CCC and ensuring it is used with all patients aged 65 and over, who are at risk of, or who have cognitive impairment. This can be a challenge in a busy hospital, where paperwork is not always a priority. The workshops and in-services help raise and maintain awareness of the CCC with staff.
Maintaining a high profile of caring for patients with cognitive impairment is a continued priority and focus. Royal North Shore Hospital is committed to the Caring for Cognitive Impairment and keeping staff informed of the resources available to them and encouraging them to make use of the campaign, especially the CCC.
Plans are in place to implement Caring for Confused Hospitalised Older Persons (CHOPs), an initiative from the Agency for Clinical Innovation Aged Care Network.
Keep staff well informed about cognitive care initiatives and have an expert available to provide assistance, both practical and educational, on a frequent basis.
Fot more information, contact Allyson Waird on allyson.waird@health.nsw.gov.au.