Published Thursday, 06 November, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Princess Alexandra Hospital treats record number of patients
Princess Alexandra Hospital continues to treat more people than ever as inpatients or emergencies according to the latest Quarterly Public Hospitals Performance Report released today.
The report reveals that 27,258 patients were treated as inpatients or emergencies at the PA Hospital in the September 2008 quarter - an increase of 5.1 per cent on the same winter period last year.
Emergency attendances increased by 3.6 per cent from the same period last year to 11,684 – an average of 127 attendances each day of the quarter.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the quarter was a difficult one with an increase in admissions as a result of a particularly long winter season.
“The yearly winter access block issues were particularly exacerbated at the PAH this year due to a significant number of emergency medical cases coming through the Emergency Department, as well as an increase in admissions as the winter flu season took its toll on those suffering chronic disease,” he said.
“In particular, this impact was seen on specialties such as nephrology, cancer and cardiology which all took on significant loads this quarter.
Despite the longest winter peak in years, PAH did not cancel any elective surgery but instead admitted 3,713 patients from the waiting list - an increase of 0.7 per cent from 3,688 patients compared with the same quarter last year.
“Staff at the hospital should be commended for their hard work to maintain elective services in addition to the enormous demand for emergency admission .
Mr Robertson said in response to increased winter demand throughout the State this quarter, Queensland Health had put in place a comprehensive access block strategy to cope with the increasing demand for emergency care.
“I have endorsed an eight point, Whole-of-Hospital plan compiled by Senior Emergency Clinicians to reduce access block across our major public hospitals* to reduce emergency department and admission waiting times even further.
The PAH performed 1,922 Category 1 surgeries this quarter, the highest number again within Queensland Health, with more than half treated within 12 days.
Mr Robertson said the hard work of staff at the PAH was reflected throughout the State.
Statewide, the September 2008 Quarterly Public Hospital Performance Report shows that compared to the same time last year there has been:
• a 5.8 per cent increase in emergency department attendances;
• a 5.9 per cent increase in hospital admissions;
• a 6.2 per cent increase in specialist outpatient appointments;
• an 8.9 per cent increase in elective surgery procedures;
• and a 17.6 per cent reduction in patients waiting longer than clinically desirable for their elective surgery.
“This report shows our hospitals are working harder than ever, and the strategies this Government has put in place are making strong improvements to ensuring more Queenslanders receive the timely health care they need and deserve.
“I have nothing but praise for our dedicated staff and I thank them all for their hard work,” Mr Robertson said.
The Quarterly Public Hospitals Performance Report (September 08 quarter) will be available in the ‘What's New’ section of the Queensland Health website at www.health.qld.gov.au
Ends.
MEDIA: Kate Van Poelgeest 3234 1185
* The eight points are:
• Implementing robust internal processes to improve bed availability.
• Ensuring timely and appropriate discharge protocols are in place with executive directors of Medical Services and Nursing directly involved in managing this.
• Enabling key staff to have input into developing strategies to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
• Introducing into performance contracts for District CEOs personal accountabilities for managing organisational issues impacting access block.
• Focussing on whole of hospital performance indicators for access block.
• Developing and implementing predictive software to enhance bed management.
• Working with the Divisions of General Practice to enhance access to GP and other community-based services.
• Creating a senior position within Queensland Health to bring an organisation-wide focus to improving emergency department services and links with intensive care issues.
The report reveals that 27,258 patients were treated as inpatients or emergencies at the PA Hospital in the September 2008 quarter - an increase of 5.1 per cent on the same winter period last year.
Emergency attendances increased by 3.6 per cent from the same period last year to 11,684 – an average of 127 attendances each day of the quarter.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the quarter was a difficult one with an increase in admissions as a result of a particularly long winter season.
“The yearly winter access block issues were particularly exacerbated at the PAH this year due to a significant number of emergency medical cases coming through the Emergency Department, as well as an increase in admissions as the winter flu season took its toll on those suffering chronic disease,” he said.
“In particular, this impact was seen on specialties such as nephrology, cancer and cardiology which all took on significant loads this quarter.
Despite the longest winter peak in years, PAH did not cancel any elective surgery but instead admitted 3,713 patients from the waiting list - an increase of 0.7 per cent from 3,688 patients compared with the same quarter last year.
“Staff at the hospital should be commended for their hard work to maintain elective services in addition to the enormous demand for emergency admission .
Mr Robertson said in response to increased winter demand throughout the State this quarter, Queensland Health had put in place a comprehensive access block strategy to cope with the increasing demand for emergency care.
“I have endorsed an eight point, Whole-of-Hospital plan compiled by Senior Emergency Clinicians to reduce access block across our major public hospitals* to reduce emergency department and admission waiting times even further.
The PAH performed 1,922 Category 1 surgeries this quarter, the highest number again within Queensland Health, with more than half treated within 12 days.
Mr Robertson said the hard work of staff at the PAH was reflected throughout the State.
Statewide, the September 2008 Quarterly Public Hospital Performance Report shows that compared to the same time last year there has been:
• a 5.8 per cent increase in emergency department attendances;
• a 5.9 per cent increase in hospital admissions;
• a 6.2 per cent increase in specialist outpatient appointments;
• an 8.9 per cent increase in elective surgery procedures;
• and a 17.6 per cent reduction in patients waiting longer than clinically desirable for their elective surgery.
“This report shows our hospitals are working harder than ever, and the strategies this Government has put in place are making strong improvements to ensuring more Queenslanders receive the timely health care they need and deserve.
“I have nothing but praise for our dedicated staff and I thank them all for their hard work,” Mr Robertson said.
The Quarterly Public Hospitals Performance Report (September 08 quarter) will be available in the ‘What's New’ section of the Queensland Health website at www.health.qld.gov.au
Ends.
MEDIA: Kate Van Poelgeest 3234 1185
* The eight points are:
• Implementing robust internal processes to improve bed availability.
• Ensuring timely and appropriate discharge protocols are in place with executive directors of Medical Services and Nursing directly involved in managing this.
• Enabling key staff to have input into developing strategies to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
• Introducing into performance contracts for District CEOs personal accountabilities for managing organisational issues impacting access block.
• Focussing on whole of hospital performance indicators for access block.
• Developing and implementing predictive software to enhance bed management.
• Working with the Divisions of General Practice to enhance access to GP and other community-based services.
• Creating a senior position within Queensland Health to bring an organisation-wide focus to improving emergency department services and links with intensive care issues.