To increase accountability across the health system for Aboriginal health at a program, hospital and district level, SWSLHD developed a standardised Aboriginal health KPI dashboard that measures performance in providing services to Aboriginal patients. This included identification data, discharge against medical advice and unplanned readmissions. The dashboards are reported against bi-monthly by each hospital, are coordinated by the Aboriginal health Unit, and are tabled at hospital Aboriginal health committees, the Healthcare Quality and Safety Committee, and the Aboriginal Health Committee of the board.
The dashboards are used to hold hospitals accountable for Aboriginal health and identify targeted areas where service improvement is needed. The dashboard is used as a tool through identifying specific performance gaps and developing appropriate service responses, engaging partners and ensuring transparency of service provision. Through the SWSLHD Hospital Aboriginal Health Committees the dashboards have been used to facilitate a range of service changes and enhancements including but not limited to the expansion of the ALO workforce, establishment of a number of Aboriginal Antenatal Models at Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospital, establishment of an Aboriginal Mental Health Transfer of Care Team supporting mental health consumers in ED and inpatient settings, the development of ENT and Ophthalmology surgery pathways for Aboriginal patients and the development Aboriginal ED Frequent Presenter Review Groups to better coordinate support for patients with complex needs.
Program, ward and service management Principle 4