Poster Session HRT11420 –Innovation Awards November 2014 Melbourne

Introducing nurse endoscopy to Australia Presenter: Melodie Heland Hospital Code Name: Austin Health

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Elevator Pitch- What is the outcome/significance of your presentation? (This will be used in the program to describe your innovation)






Bowel cancer is preventable but only if colonoscopies are readily available Wait times for the procedure can be several years We decided to train nurses to undertake the procedure because it has been a successful role overseas Our nurse endoscopist now provides colonoscopies for over 500 people per year, with high quality results And we have gained funding to open a State training centre for nurse endoscopists

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Presenters Summary – ONE Slide Each presenter will have 3 minutes to give an overview of your innovation. Use this format as an aide memoire – We will display this slide for the duration of your 3 minutes. Please be as concise as possible

Key problem: Demand for Colonoscopies is projected to grow ~ 400% in a decade. People will get cancer whilst awaiting the procedure.
Aim of Innovation: Introduce a Nurse Endoscopist role to Australia
What we did: Established a program to train nurse endoscopists





Focus on the outcomes


1. One

Nurse endoscopist fully trained & independently scoping
2. Cancer detection rate better than UK standard. No complications
3. Our waiting list is dropping
4. We gained funding to extend the program The Health Roundtable

KEY PROBLEM - One Slide








Colorectal cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in Australia. It is one of the most preventable if detected early. Federal and State governments have funded National prevention programs for early detection of bowel abnormality. This significantly increased the need for colonoscopy beyond the capacity of the current workforce, and demand will grow exponentially. Austin Health had a waiting list of over 2,500 patients for colonoscopy. We were not attending to these in the clinically recommended time.

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AIM OF THIS INNOVATION – One Slide





Develop a program to train nurses to perform colonoscopies Work collaboratively with medical staff so that the role is part of the gastroenterology service Manage the politics of nurse undertaking a traditional medical role Ensure same or better service to patients is delivered by a safe and competent nurse

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BASELINE DATA


Waiting list for colonoscopy growing rapidly

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KEY CHANGES IMPLEMENTED








Austin Health Executive and medical leadership established Funding gained for nurse endoscopist (NE) program Program designed and training undertaken by candidate Candidate became fully independent nurse endoscopist in Feb 2013. Runs own procedural lists and clinic We then gained further funding from Health Workforce Australia as the Victoria Lead site Three new public hospitals joined in to train nurse endoscopists. These NEs are now qualified. State Endoscopy Training Centre established to train 15 more NEs over 4 years

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OUTCOMES SO FAR Austin Health colonoscopy waiting list reducing

• Nurse endoscopist commenced independent list in Feb 2013 • 12.6% of total colonoscopies • Without adverse events • High completion rate • High polyp detection rate

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LESSONS LEARNT – One Slide







What would you recommend to other organisations? Passionate individuals dedicated to the cause and backed by Executive support Set a clear vision Select the right people to meet that vision Take a long term view and be prepared to adjust your plans as barriers arise Be accountable for what you say you’ll do. It builds integrity and results in support for furthering your plans

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Who can provide information on this innovation from your service ? Sylvia Constantinou [email protected] 9496 5914 Melodie Heland [email protected] 9496 3951

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