Working in the Wattle Building
Single patient rooms and decentralised workstations
The below principles for our new ways of working were established through a collaborative process involving diverse stakeholders within Sydney Children's Hospital Network and external local health districts with single patient room operations experience.
By considering the needs of patients, families, and healthcare staff, these principles aim to ensure a safe, patient-centered, and efficient care environment.
- Maintain patient safety by keeping curtains open at all times, except when clinical reasons require closing them.
- Encourage families to maintain a clean and comfortable room to ensure easy access for staff.
- Collaborate with families in the decisionmaking process and honour their values and beliefs.
- Keep the family regularly updated on any changes to the care plan, providing clear explanations and opportunities for questions, either directly at the bedside or in a suitable setting.
Close the door when providing care or discussing the patient's condition with other members of the care team.
However, it is important to balance the patient's need for privacy with the need for safety and observation.
With patients in separate rooms, it is essential to coordinate their care seamlessly.
This involves regular communication with other members of the care team, such as physicians, specialists, and other nurses, and careful consideration of patient allocation.
Decentralised workstations will allow nurses to be in closer proximity to the single patient rooms therefore allowing more time with the patients and families.
Nurses can closely observe patients and respond promptly to any changes in their condition.
The SPR and decentralised workstations model of care is still relatively new, and there is always room for improvement.
Be prepared to adapt your practices as new evidence emerges and as you learn more about what works best for your patients and each other.
Accessing a computer
There are several options for accessing computers in the Wattle Building to document patient notes and manage patient care, including:
- Clinical workrooms: provide a private environment equipped with several computers positioned away from patients and their families for documenting patient notes and performing other administrative tasks.
- Touchdown points: allow staff to access computers while maintaining visibility of patients, to facilitate real-time documentation and communication. These include fixed devices and mobile workstations.
- Staff stations: provide staff with convenient access to computers in proximity to patient care areas to enhance workflow.
Spaces for confidential conversations
Patient confidentiality is paramount in our daily interactions with patients, families, and staff.
The Wattle Building will provide more private areas for staff to have confidential conversations.
Single patient rooms
- With over 90% single patient rooms in the new building, staff can have confidential discussions with patients and their families in their own room.
Interview rooms
- Located within each department and ideal for conversations that need to be held away from the patient's bedside.
- These rooms can accommodate small groups of clinicians in a private environment.
Clinical work rooms
- Available in each department and designed for clinical handovers and other discussions among clinicians where confidential patient information can be exchanged securely.
Meeting rooms
- Available to support larger gatherings for multidisciplinary family meetings, staff meetings and education.