Therapeutic Security engagement with vulnerable patients in Hospitals: A revised priority for constant care provision.
Tracks
Ballroom 2
Best practice
Education and Training
Employment
Evidence Based Policy
Quality improvement
| Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
| 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM |
Speaker
Ms Bridget Riggs
Cognition And Delirium Team Manager
Nt Health
Therapeutic Security engagement with vulnerable patients in Hospitals: A revised priority for constant care provision.
Abstract
Introduction
In the Northern Territory Top End, patients with mental health or dementia that exhibit behaviours of concern, are ‘specialled’ (constant care) by contract security guards (CVP, 2022). Standards Australia (2021) recommend Security Guards in Healthcare be proficient in skills such as communication and self-awareness, (Goleman, 1995) so as to be equipped to work with patients with cognitive and mental health issues.
Method
A trial training program developed for contract security was informed by the Security Standard, along with many Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC, 2021) Standards and models of care relating vulnerable patients, such as “A better way to care”.(ACSQHC, 2019).Eliciting feedback from the participating guards was essential (Schroeder, 2016), as the process indicated concerns, as highlighted in the literature, regarding role clarity (Anderson, 2020), a lack of knowledge of mental illness, boundaries for engagement and legal frameworks. (LPGA., 2018), (Wand et al., 2020). The paper will launch from the moment an agreement was reached between the Health Service and the Security Company ensuring guards would be released to attend an orientation day and complete basic prerequisite training before attending the hospital. An overview of the issues provide a basis to present implemented recommendations aimed to consolidate and sustain improvements aiming for improved security staff awareness leading to consistency with the hospital requirements.
Conclusion
The consensus of investigations into security in healthcare demonstrate a need for greater role clarity, skills to communicate, work effectively and collaboratively with other staff and patients in their care.
In the Northern Territory Top End, patients with mental health or dementia that exhibit behaviours of concern, are ‘specialled’ (constant care) by contract security guards (CVP, 2022). Standards Australia (2021) recommend Security Guards in Healthcare be proficient in skills such as communication and self-awareness, (Goleman, 1995) so as to be equipped to work with patients with cognitive and mental health issues.
Method
A trial training program developed for contract security was informed by the Security Standard, along with many Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC, 2021) Standards and models of care relating vulnerable patients, such as “A better way to care”.(ACSQHC, 2019).Eliciting feedback from the participating guards was essential (Schroeder, 2016), as the process indicated concerns, as highlighted in the literature, regarding role clarity (Anderson, 2020), a lack of knowledge of mental illness, boundaries for engagement and legal frameworks. (LPGA., 2018), (Wand et al., 2020). The paper will launch from the moment an agreement was reached between the Health Service and the Security Company ensuring guards would be released to attend an orientation day and complete basic prerequisite training before attending the hospital. An overview of the issues provide a basis to present implemented recommendations aimed to consolidate and sustain improvements aiming for improved security staff awareness leading to consistency with the hospital requirements.
Conclusion
The consensus of investigations into security in healthcare demonstrate a need for greater role clarity, skills to communicate, work effectively and collaboratively with other staff and patients in their care.
Biography
Bridget is the NT Health, Professional Lead for Cognition, Delirium and Behaviour Change whose scope is across the five Regions for the Centre of Excellence and Patient Safety and Managers a specialist consultative and educational team.
An Accredited Mental Health Occupational Therapist, practicing for 20 years, Bridget is passionate about enhancing the health service to provide innovative care and encourage curiosity and engagement around changes of behaviour and cognition, partnering with the NT’s multi-cultural consumers to provide less restrictive care and spread the word that behaviour is a form of communication.
With a background in Sociology, Bridget holds a Bachelor in same, along with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, and a Masters in Mental Health.
Bridget is the Chair of NT wide Cognition and Delirium, Behaviours of Concern and Restrictive Practices NSQHS Committees and the Co-Chair of the Mental Health Clinical Collaborative. An NT branch member of the Australian Association of Gerontology and a regular presenter at the Australasian Delirium Association Conference, 'Declared' and is on the Australasian Delirium Association Board. Bridget is on the subject matter expert panel of the NT Project ECHO Disability Network NT- Behaviours of Concern related to neurological, intellectual, or psychosocial disability .A regular contributor to Clinical Teaching, Research Forums, Policy, Governance and Quality Improvement across the NT and Nationally.
Session Chair
Kate-Ellen Elliott
Adjunct Senior Researcher & Training Projects Coordinator
University Of Tasmania & IP Australia
