Northern Health is excited to launch the CARE with Kindness Campaign 2024.

This campaign is driven by our commitment to enhance respectful patient-centred communication, fundamental hygiene, a clear safe environment and purposeful rounding for our Northern Health community. It builds on a philosophy of improving basic care for all our patients in all areas of Northern Health. Champions in each area are empowered and encouraged to guide staff in enhanced CARE for our patients.

We are improving care for patients by building on four major pillars:

Communication

• We communicate with respect and compassion.
• Each day we ask our patients – “what matters to you today?”
• We acknowledge the vulnerability and inclusivity needs of the patient

Activities of daily living

• We offer assistance with a patient’s daily living activities.
• This includes acts of hygiene, such as assisting patients to wash their bodies, brush their teeth, groom their hair and shave as needed.

Rounding with purpose

• We look at proximity of patient and aids.
• We ensure all equipment used is plugged in and safe.
• We offer personal needs such as hand wash or toileting assistance.
• We ask about pain relief and analgesic and ensure position change of patient to maintain comfort.
• We do this purposefully every hour and document in the EMR.

Environment

• We ensure that the environment is clean, hygienic and clutter free.
• We ensure beds are made and rooms are tidied.
• We ensure the patient can reach personal items.

“At Northern Health, we always endeavour to prioritise open and transparent patient centred communication. Clear communication fosters trust and creates a supportive environment for all and ensures that patients and their families are always informed and involved in decision-making processes,” said Annabel Milonas, Director, Education – Nursing and Midwifery.

“The CARE Campaign will help support and empower staff to build on the exceptional care they already deliver to their patients. Over the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing some positive stories from our patients, highlighting the positive impact of the CARE Campaign at Northern Health.”

Please click here for more information.

Featured image (L-R): Annabel Milonas, Susan Brown, Kate Duggan and Sarah Hulbert Lemmel