News

Accolades for high achievers at MBH

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 02:45:00

A program that has revitalized staff-patient interactions at Mildura Base Hospital has received the hospital’s highest award for 2016.

The hospital-wide “Hello, My Name Is…” Project received the MBH Quality Award for 2016, announced during a ceremony this week. The Quality Awards are the hospital’s highest honor and also recognise outstanding MBH staff, with Employees of the Year also announced.
Employee of the Year for Clinical Services was popular Acting Nurse Unit Manager and Maternity Services Educator Sandra Doyle.  Sandra was recognised for the passion and energy she brings to her roles and her leadership during a period of change in maternity services.
The Support Services Employee of the Year Award was won by Elaine Heinrich, an Executive Assistant in Mental Health Services.  Colleagues recognised Elaine’s conscientious approach, her flexibility and her positive influence on the team around her.
The awards are presented annually to high-performing staff, teams and programs at MBH with the Quality Award winner chosen from a list of initiatives during 2016.  They included a project identifying Emergency Department patients at risk of Sepsis; a program to improve cultural awareness in the Intensive Care Unit and; an initiative to introduce standardised patient information brochures across the hospital.
“Hello, My Name Is…” was inspired by the feedback from a member of Mildura’s Aboriginal community, Sheryl Bennett. 
Sheryl related her story of presenting at the Emergency Department with her 18-month old grandson.  She said a difficult situation was made worse because no one introduced themselves and she was uncertain of who to speak to about her grandson’s care.
The feedback resulted in the UK Program “Hello, My Name Is…” being rolled out across the hospital led by Aboriginal Health Unit Manager Steve Portelli and Performance Improvement Project Officer Jenni Lloyd.
MBH Director of Nursing Janet Hicks said more than 200 staff completed “Hello, My Name Is…” training and the impact was noticeable across the hospital.
“The program has had a profound and really positive effect on the relationships between hospital staff and patients,” Ms Hicks said.
“It’s been as simple as reminding staff about the common courtesy of introducing themselves properly and respectfully to patients and their carers,” she said.
“The cultural change it’s brought about has been amazing and it’s something I think that everyone who comes into the hospital now feels and notices.”