• The hard trek to new IT Systems
    Jan 14 2025

    The changing nature of technology and digital transformation of healthcare may promise apparent advantages to medical administrators, but they also present some serious pitfalls. In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare’ host Dr David Rankin explores IT system issues with Dr Oliver Daly, a consultant urogynaecologist and clinical informatician. Together they discuss the complexities of implementing an electronic medication management system. They delve into the challenges of change management, the importance of engaging clinicians early in the process, and strategies to ensure the successful adoption of new systems while maintaining patient safety.


    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    19 mins
  • The Infected Doctor
    Dec 17 2024

    An accident takes place in the Emergency Department and a surgeon contracts Hepatitis B as a result. With so very many possible implications, what is the best course of action? In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare’ host Dr David Rankin discusses this difficult scenario with one of Australia’s preeminent health administrators, NSW Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Paul Douglas. Together they tackle the complex ethical and procedural challenges. They discuss the importance of compliance with national guidelines, the ethical dilemmas surrounding patient safety, and the critical need for maintaining confidentiality while ensuring the safety of the community.


    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    26 mins
  • Balancing passion and burnout
    Dec 3 2024

    Doctors can be their own worst enemies. Their long hours, deep commitment, personal involvement in their work and, sometimes, a tendency to martyrdom, can give rise to serious mental and other health issues. In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare’, host Dr David Rankin presents a challenging scenario to Associate Professor Beth Kotze, the Director of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services for the Sydney Local Health District. Together they discuss the critical issue of burnout among medical professionals by considering a senior medical registrar struggling with excessive hours and personal stress. They highlight the signs of burnout and the steps required for individual and organisational intervention to ensure both personal well-being and optimal patient care.


    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    30 mins
  • The Incomplete Record
    Nov 19 2024

    A patient complains, and a second surgeon raises questions about the outcome of an operation, but there’s nothing in the operation notes indicating that there was a theatre mishap or complication. In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare – the Essentials of Clinical Governance’, Dr David Rankin and Associate Professor Alastair Mah delve into the complexities of handling unrecorded incidents and patient complaints in medical administration. They discuss strategies for navigating this challenging scenario, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining professional integrity. They provide insights and practical solutions and outline how to implement effective quality improvement initiatives in healthcare settings.


    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    25 mins
  • A difficult decision for a conflicted family
    Nov 5 2024

    A family is conflicted over how to care for a critical and deteriorating elderly patient who has prepared an Advanced Care Directive. What should you do? In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare – the Essentials of Clinical Governance’, Dr David Rankin and Prof George Braitberg AM crunch the complexities of medical administration in this situation. Faced with this challenging scenario, they explore the ethical and practical considerations of end-of-life care. Prof Braitberg discusses the nuances of Advanced Care Directives, the importance of transparent communication, and how to navigate family disharmony while adhering to the patient's wishes.


    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    27 mins
  • The conundrums of clinical registries
    Oct 22 2024

    What do you do if your hospital CEO questions the value of clinical quality registries? In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare’, Dr David Rankin tackles the complexities of clinical quality registries with Professor Susannah Ahern from Monash University. Professor Ahern’s work informs national registry policy and practice, including the development and implementation of the National Clinical and Virtual Registry Strategy. It’s a fascinating look at how these vital tools, essential for tracking patient outcomes and improving healthcare quality, are managed and funded. Professor Ahern explains the rigorous processes behind registry data collection, the role of clinician leadership, and how these registries help hospitals deal with the evolving landscape of patient care.


    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    23 mins
  • When Graphs Don't Work
    Oct 8 2024

    Surgical staff are highly intelligent but may not intuitively understand numbers and graphs. So what do you do if you find the reports you’ve been producing aren’t actually understood by their intended audience? In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare – the Essentials of Clinical Governance’, host Dr David Rankin is joined by medical administration veteran Dr Craig Margetts, to study the intricacies of data interpretation, clinician engagement, and the delicate balance between individual and group reporting. Dr Margetts provides insights into effective communication strategies and the practical approaches to jumping tricky hurdles.

    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    21 mins
  • Confidentiality Conundrums
    Sep 24 2024

    What actions should a medical administrator take if confidential patient notes are sent to the wrong person? In this episode of 'Safeguarding Healthcare - the Essentials of Clinical Governance’, host Dr David Rankin presents this challenging hypothetical to Dr Colin Feekery, a former Acting Director of Medical Services at Alfred Health. The pair unravels issues relating to privacy issues, the complexities of handling sensitive patient information and the critical importance of robust training and systems to ensure privacy compliance.


    Disclaimer:

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the following Podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered health, legal or financial advice. The cases discussed in the Podcast may be specific to the speaker’s organisation or location, and may not be applicable to other organisations, states, territories or countries. RACMA does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organisation presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. RACMA will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this Podcast. The Podcast may contain descriptions of health incidents that may be graphic and triggering for some people, so listener discretion is advised.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    19 mins