Clinical Indicators

Maitland Private's doctors undertake surgery in many specialty areas, which range from minor procedures to more complex day surgery requiring specialised treatment. We monitor our patient outcomes by comparing any unplanned returns to the operating theatre during the same day as the initial procedure to other Australian hospitals nationally. The aim is to reduce returns to the operating theatre where possible; however there are many factors which influence this, and in some cases it is necessary to have further surgery to save a life.

Unplanned returns to the operating theatre during the same day are frequently due to complications, for example to treat bleeding or other problems occurring early after the operation. Some complications following surgery are to be expected due to patients’ pre-existing diseases or conditions and the nature of the disease or condition being treated. Unplanned returns to the operating theatre are reported and clinical outcomes analysed. Recommendations are actioned and monitored to ensure improvements are made where possible.

The graph below shows the number of patients who had a surgical procedure or operation and required an unplanned return for further surgery during on the same day as the initial procedure. Maitland Private's rate is lower (better) than the industry average.

The rate of unplanned readmissions provides an indication of the effectiveness of our planning processes, for when people are discharged from hospital.

The graph below shows the number of patients that were re-admitted to Maitland Private within 28 days of discharge from hospital, with a diagnosis related to the same condition as the original admission.

Maitland Private's rate is lower (better) than the industry average. This is achieved, for example, through the presence of dedicated Discharge Planners, Social Workers and other Allied Health staff as part of better discharge planning initiatives, plus pre-admission clinics where patients' discharge needs are identified prior to admission.

A fall in a hospital is when a patient suddenly and unintentionally falls to the ground. This can happen in a hospital setting for a number of reasons, such as a change in medication, the after effects of an anaesthetic, or just because the surroundings are unfamiliar. Falls can injure patients and affect their recovery and independence.

This graph below shows the number of patients that sustain a fall that caused an injury as a percentage of total patient bed-days (the number of days that all patients spend in hospital). Maitland Private achieves a lower rate (better) than the industry average.

We achieve a lower rate through our established Falls Prevention and Management Program and an electronic Incident/Risk Management and Reporting System. A variety of best practice tools and prevention intervention guidelines are utilised to identify those patients/consumers at high risk of having a fall.

A pressure injury is an area of damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by constant pressure or friction that can sometimes occur when a patient is in one position and unable to easily move for a long period.

Pressure injuries can be prevented. We also help to reduce the likelihood of our patients developing pressure injuries during their hospital stay, by assessing their individual risk and follow individual care plans.

As part of our clinical care, we inspect skin frequently, keep skin dry, ensure patients have access to the best nutrition and hydration, and help and encourage patients to move frequently.

This is very important in maintaining quality care as pressure injuries can cause significant pain and discomfort that can slow a patient’s recovery.

The graph below shows the rate of patients that developed a pressure injury while in hospital. Maitland Private Hospital’s rate is lower than the industry average.

We achieve this rate through an established Pressure Injury Prevention Management Program and the reporting and monitoring of every pressure injury for the purposes of identifying areas for improvement.

As part of your hospital admission, you may require a blood transfusion, which is a procedure where you receive blood through your vein. Blood transfusions may be necessary for a number of reasons, for example, if you have a surgical procedure, you are anaemic or if your body is not producing sufficient blood cells. Blood transfusions can be a lifesaving measure, but is not without some risk and therefore is only prescribed after a doctor has deemed it necessary. Sometimes an adverse reaction to blood transfusion can occur and is treated immediately.

Maitland's rate of adverse transfusion reactions is lower (better) than the industry average.

We are continuing to work on lowering this rate by ensuring blood is only prescribed when necessary; ensuring staff are competent in blood transfusion management; and by ensuring that blood and blood product usage is in line with current best practice guidelines, as set out by the National Standard for Blood and Blood Products.

Germs can cause an infection known as Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteraemia (SAB) which needs antibiotic treatment if it enters the blood. Some serious strains are resistant to antibiotics.

Maitland Private's rate of infection is well below the national average for hospitals. To reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections, we use best practice infection prevention and control with a focus on hand washing as this is the most effective way to stop germs spreading or entering the blood.

We provide continual education and training to all our caregivers to ensure we keep our infection rate well below the national target.

The graph below shows the number of patients that developed a hospital acquired Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteraemia (SAB) infection. The Maitland Private rate is lower (better) than the industry benchmark. Maitland Private has a number of risk mitigation strategies in place to reduce the risk of transmission of Health Care Associated Infections.

The most valuable prevention is for everyone to wash their hands, patients, visitors and health professionals alike.

Hand hygiene (or hand washing) is one of the best ways to stop infections so, as a priority, we educate and train all caregivers in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “five moments” for hand hygiene. We also audit our staff and provide our results the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) to compare us against other hospitals.

Maitland Private ranks significantly higher than national targets for hand hygiene. Our auditors complete compliance audits on a regular basis and submit data three times a year. We also participate in the national hand hygiene strategy to continually improve our rates.

The graph below shows that Maitland Private's Hand Hygiene compliance rates are well above (better) than the Industry benchmark.