Allied Health Demand and Capacity Tool: A digital solution to transform allied health efficiency.
Sara Burrett1, Dominique Murray11Gold Coast Hospital And Health Service, Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Background:
Due to increasing constraints on healthcare resources, it is crucial to prioritise interventions that reduce hospital length of stay and improve patient flow. The Allied Health Demand and Capacity Tool (AHDC) was developed to provide real-time visibility of acute allied health (AH) service demand and capacity to best meet patient care needs, support patient flow and assist leaders to allocate staff to meet patient demands. The tool also has an ‘Executive View’ that provides AH service trends.
Methods:
The AHDC tool, was co-designed and trialled with key stakeholders (clinician consumers, leaders and software developers) across Gold Coast Health and Hospital Service. Using a quality improvement framework, we evaluated and refined the tool across trials through 10 focus groups (n= ~ 75 participants) and a survey (n=30). Findings were shared with an advisory group after each profession group trial to support improvements.
Results:
Clinicians reported the AHDC tool is quick and easy to access, use and navigate. A benefit of codesign was the Directors of Professions across six AH professions endorsing a universal ‘category 1’ definition for referrals as part of the development process. With the tool providing real time visibility of AH demand and capacity across the acute services, it is currently being used by the Executive Director and profession leads at weekly capacity meetings.
Conclusion:
Multiple Queensland Health sites have expressed interest in the tool and a formal research evaluation is currently underway, evaluating the AHDC tool’s impact on length of stay and patient flow.
Biography
Sara Burrett trained as a social worker and has worked for over 20 years in health services both in Australia and overseas, most recently in leadership roles. Sara is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for patients and their families through direct contact, via research and through innovation.
Dominique is a senior clinical psychologist and has worked at Gold Coast Health for the past 10 years. Dominique is passionate about providing consumer centred care and improving equitable access to allied health services throughout the consumers healthcare journey.