Short-stay elective surgery patients are receiving quality care as Gold Coast Health adds Robina Hospital¡¯s 23-Hour Ward permanently to its services.
The overnight unit has cared for more than 1330 patients in its first year of operation, using a model of care that¡¯s been adapted to meet community needs.
Associate Nurse Unit Manager Corina Gallagher said this was achieved through caring for a mix of pre and post-operative elective surgery patients, as well as emergency patients.
¡°The revised model of care is highly adaptive so we can take patients for a night before transferring them to longer stay units,¡± Corina said.
¡°Most of our 18 staff have been with us since we first opened, so we have all contributed to building the ward together.
¡°As our population continues to grow, we are busier than ever, and it's always nice to feel that you've done a good job.
¡°Most of the team has a surgical background, so we have the expertise to dedicate quality time to educating our workforce.¡±
The ward has been training contract nurses, helping them transition from vaccination clinics, and they recently also welcomed their first new graduate nurse, Asha Mason.
¡°I have been working on the ward since February and the supportive team environment has made all the difference in growing my confidence and skills,¡± Asha said.
¡°As a mature-age nurse, I have really appreciated the time invested in my development. They teach us a whole lot of things at school but it's very different on the wards.¡±
General Surgery and Gastroenterology Services Nursing Director Colin Dawson agrees, saying the model of service is second to none.
¡°This achievement is a testament to the staff that have established this service, many of whom have contributed to its success, since opening its doors a year ago.¡±