News

At Albury Wodonga Health, our patients are at the heart of everything we do - their wellbeing, comfort, and experience drive our commitment to excellence. 

During Patient Experience Week, from 28 April to 5 May, we are celebrating the ways in which our staff are making a powerful and positive difference to our patients every day. And we’re announcing new initiatives to further enhance patient safety and wellbeing! 

In the lead-up to Patient Experience Week, we asked our staff to share their ideas to improve patient experience by participating in a process we called ‘Pitch for PX’. Teams and individuals prepared a five-minute presentation about their idea and presented it to a panel of staff and consumers who assessed each proposal and determined which of the projects would receive funding, thanks to the generous support of the AWH Foundation. 

The response from staff was phenomenal and we are proud to announce that funding has been awarded to the following projects: 

• Headphones and tablets - Patients undergoing cardiac procedures will soon have access to music (to help reduce anxiety) and digital information tools (to help spark conversations with their doctors). The AWH Foundation will fund the purchase of headphones and electronic tablets enabling access to soothing music and Heart Foundation resources only available online. 

• Washer-dryer - When in hospital, patients often run out of clean clothes. The AWH Foundation will fund a communal washer-dryer, enabling patients to get their washing up to date whilst in hospital, enhancing their dignity and comfort. 

• Dementia diversion therapy - Sensory tools and cuddle therapy can help to focus attention, keep the mind and hands occupied, and reduce anxiety in patients with dementia, delirium or cognitive impairment. This can reduce the risk of falls, wandering and behavioural incidents in patients with dementia, delirium and cognitive impairment. The AWH Foundation will fund the purchase of sensory tools enabling patients to focus their attention and find comfort during their hospital stay. 

• Virtual reality goggles - For patients with a life-limiting illness, virtual reality is an opportunity to see and experience destinations that may otherwise be out of reach. The AWH Foundation will fund four sets of virtual reality goggles for use with palliative care patients, who will be able to see their dream destinations, return virtually to Country and revisit meaningful memories in comfort. The headsets can also provide diversion therapy for pain management. 

• Virtual windows - In Albury Wodonga Health’s Intensive Care Unit, staff know that patient outcomes can be improved by simulating exposure to the outdoors and giving the illusion of a window and natural light. The AWH Foundation will fund installation of three televisions that mimic the appearance of a window and display videos that capture the changing light of the great outdoors. The initiative is known to reduce delirium, maintain the sleep-wake cycle, stimulate cognition and increase overall wellbeing. 

• Reflex training systems - Our allied health team know the value of encouraging patients to participate in and persist with their rehabilitation. To help improve outcomes for patients, the AWH Foundation will fund four sets of reflex training systems for use in the clinical setting and in patient homes to provide a more engaging and motivational approach to rehabilitation. The reflex training systems will help to improve balance, boost reaction times and increase patient agility. 

The AWH Foundation pledged up to $15,000 to fund the Pitch 4 PX initiatives. Community member Jo Wade, a passionate consumer advocate and part of the Pitch 4 PX panel, also committed an additional $3000 to help fund dementia diversion therapy tools – an initiative close to her heart. 

Consumer Experience Manager Brooke Ford said the Pitch 4 PX initiative is just one of the ways Albury Wodonga Health is working to improve patient experience. 

‘As a health service, we are constantly seeking to improve the way we deliver care to our community,’ Ms Ford said.  

‘Our staff understand the diverse needs of patients and work on ways to improve their experience.’ 

Patient feedback has been instrumental in driving some important changes, including: 

• Online access to patient information packs so consumers have a better understanding of what to expect while they are in hospital, 

• Improved communication training for staff to ensure patients feel heard and have access to the information they need,  

• Regular patient check-ins to discuss care needs and concerns, and 

• Increased availability of snacks and frozen meals in the maternity wards, ensuring new parents can access food outside of scheduled mealtimes. 

‘At Albury Wodonga Health, patient feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping the way we provide care and continuously work to improve services for our local community.’ 

Patients and their families are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences through a variety of channels: online, in-person, over-the-phone, or via post. 

For feedback options, go to: www.awh.org.au/contact-us/feedback