Monday, October 19, 2009

Problem solving for Q Health . . .




























While the above might be usual Queensland Government tactics, here's some real solutions . . . to all the rot that's currently happening in a Q Health acute psychiatric unit . . .

  • Scrap the internal Q Health investigation of the nurse who was accused of assaulting a patient, in the process of restraining a large, violent man who had first thumped the nurse, and multiple others. It is now (2 months later), far too compromised by internal politics and a completely amateurish approach (to what is, after all, a criminal matter). Hand everything over to the police (including all documentation to date), and let them deal with it. Further, as the police (one would assume), know none of the protagonists from a bar of soap, it's far more like they'll take a completely fair and impartial approach. In fact, the police should have been called in from the outset - which reminds me (after witnessing this debacle), if I'm ever accused of "Assaulting" a patient by Q Health, the first number I'll call is triple O . . .

  • Appoint independent, outside investigators to the case of the nurse manager who (allegedly), either through malice or incompetence, failed to pass on vital information about an enrolled nurse who was suspended (re allegations of wrongdoing), e.g. that they had been formally cleared by patient safety services - with the nurse manager then (allegedly), taking further action which led to the acquisition of more witness statements against the enrolled nurse, and formal notification the Queensland Nursing Council (both re the already dis-proved allegations of wrong doing). Consider standing this nurse manager down from their current role while the investigation is underway, to prevent Q Health incurring any further (potential), liability for their actions.

  • Issue a policy statement which makes it clear all psychiatric patients travelling in Q Health cars must do so with a driver (obviously), AND another nurse - or possibly two other nurses, depending on the acuity/risk level of the patient.

  • Issue a policy statement which makes it clear nurses are not to be threatened with disciplinary action (which includes mentioning the Code of Conduct), when they voice safety concerns in relation to carrying out a directive. Their safety concerns must be investigated and addressed first.

  • Appoint independent, outside investigators to survey staff re potential harassment and bullying, publish the results and make recommendations.

  • Appoint independent, outside investigators to survey staff about their current refusal/extreme reluctance to restrain violent patients, publish the results and make recommendations.

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