Patient Outcomes

In accordance with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard 2: Partnering with Consumers, the contents of this page have been reviewed by Healthe Care Consumer Advisory Committees.

Infection Rate (Staph Aureus Bacteraemia or SAB)

Hurstville Private Infection Rates

Germs can cause an infection known as Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteraemia (SAB) which needs antibiotic treatment if it enters the blood. Some serious strains are resistant to antibiotics.

Hurstville Private's rate of infection is well below the national average for hospitals. To reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections, we use best practice infection prevention and control with a focus on hand washing as this is the most effective way to stop germs spreading or entering the blood.

We provide continual education and training to all our caregivers to ensure we keep our infection rate well below the national target.

The graph below shows the number of patients that developed a hospital acquired Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteraemia (SAB) infection. The Hurstville Private rate is lower (better) than the industry benchmark. Hurstville Private has a number of risk mitigation strategies in place to reduce the risk of transmission of Health Care Associated Infections.

The most valuable prevention is for everyone to wash their hands, patients, visitors and health professionals alike.

Clostridium Difficile (C Diff)

Hurstville Private C Diff Rates

C Diff is an infection of the bowel that causes diarrhoea. It can be caused by too many courses of antibiotics or very strong doses of antibiotics. The industry rate varies from two to three cases per 10,000 days of patient care.

The graph below shows the Clostridium Difficile infection rate at Hurstville Private is well below the industry average, meaning a patient is less likely to develop a C Diff infection at Hurstville Private.

To reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections, we use best practice infection prevention and control with a focus on hand washing as this is the most effective way to stop germs entering the blood. We provide continual education and training to all our healthcare workers to ensure we keep our infection rate well below the national target.

Hand Hygiene

Hurstville Private Hospital Hand Hygiene Compliance

Hand hygiene (or hand washing) is one of the best ways to stop infections so, as a priority, we educate and train all caregivers in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “five moments” for hand hygiene. We also audit our staff and provide our results to Hand Hygiene Australia (HHA) to compare us against other Hospitals.

Hurstville Private Hospital ranks higher than national targets for hand hygiene. Our auditors complete compliance audits on a regular basis and submit data three times a year and we participate in the national hand hygiene strategy to continually improve our rates.

The graph below shows our Hand Hygiene compliance rates are above (better) than the Industry benchmark.

Inpatient Falls resulting in Significant Injury

Hurstville Private Inpatient Fall Rates

A fall in a hospital is when a patient suddenly and unintentionally falls to the ground or lower level. This can happen in a hospital setting for a number of reasons, such as a change in medication, the after affects of an anaesthetic, or just because the surroundings are unfamiliar. Falls can injure patients and affect their recovery and independence.

The graph below shows the number of patients that sustained a fall that caused an injury as a percentage of total patient bed-days (the number of days that all patients spend in hospital). Hurstville Private Hospital achieves a rate far lower (better) than the industry benchmark.

We achieve this through our established Falls Prevention and Management Program and an electronic incident management and reporting system so we can monitor trends and make improvements. A variety of best practice tools and prevention intervention guidelines are utilised to identify those consumers at high risk of having a fall.

Unplanned Readmissions

Hurstville Private Hospital Unplanned Readmissions

Monitoring of this information is very important as it provides an indication of the effectiveness of our planning processes for when people are discharged from hospital

The graph below shows the number of patients that were readmitted to hospital within 28 days of discharge from hospital, with a diagnosis related to the same condition as the original admission.

Hurstville Private Hospital's rate is lower (better) than the industry benchmark. This is achieved for example through the presence of dedicated Discharge Planners and other Allied Health staff as part of better discharge planning initiatives, plus preadmission clinics where discharge needs are identified prior to admission.

Unplanned Return to Operating Theatre

Hurstville Private Unplanned Returns

Hurstville Private Hospital doctors undertake surgery in many speciality areas which range from minor procedures to more complex surgery requiring specialised care. We monitor our patient outcomes by comparing any unplanned returns to the operating theatre to other Australian hospitals nationally. The aim is to reduce returns to the operating theatre where possible; however there are many factors which influence this and in some cases it is necessary to have further surgery to save a life.

Unplanned returns to the operating theatre are frequently due to complications, for example to treat bleeding or other problems occurring early after the operation. Some complications following complex surgery are to be expected due to patients’ pre-existing diseases or conditions and the nature of the disease or condition being treated.

Unplanned returns to the operating theatre are reported and clinical outcomes analysed. Recommendations are actioned and monitored to ensure improvements are made where possible

The graph below shows the number of patients that had a surgical procedure or operation and required an unplanned return for further surgery during the same admission. Hurstville Private's rate is lower (better) than the industry benchmark.

Medication Errors

Hurstville Private Hospital Medication Error Rate

The graph below shows the number of patients who required an intervention as a consequence of a medication error. Intervention involves medical intervention. Hurstville Private Hospital has a rate slightly higher (worse) than the industry benchmark rate.

We are working to improve this through a number of medication safety initiatives including the adoption of the National In-Patient Medication Charts endorsed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), and implementing a standardised patient labelling system when administering injectable medicines.

Medication incident rates and outcomes are monitored across the hospitals to determine if our initiatives are reducing the error rate and level of patient harm.

Pressure Injuries

Hurstville Private Hospital Pressure Injury Rate

A pressure injury is an area of damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by constant pressure or friction that can sometimes occur when a patient is in one position and unable to easily move for a long period.

Pressure injuries can be prevented. We also help to reduce the likelihood of our patients developing pressure injuries during their hospital stay, by assessing their individual risk and follow individual care plans.

As part of our clinical care, we inspect skin frequently, keep skin dry, ensure patients have access to the best nutrition and hydration, and help and encourage patients to move frequently.

This is very important in maintaining quality care as pressure injuries can cause significant pain and discomfort that can slow a patient’s recovery.

The graph below shows the rate of patients that developed a pressure injury while in hospital. Hurstville Private Hospital rate is lower (better) than the industry benchmark.

We achieve this rate through an established Pressure Injury Prevention Management Program and the reporting and monitoring of every pressure injury for the purposes of identifying areas for improvement.

Adverse Blood Transfusion Events

Hurstville Private Adverse Blood Transfusion Rates

As part of your hospital admission, you may require a blood transfusion, which is a procedure where you receive blood through your vein. Blood transfusions may be necessary for a number of reasons, for example, if you have a surgical procedure, you are anaemic or if your body is not producing sufficient blood cells. Blood transfusions can be a lifesaving measure, but is not without some risk and therefore is only prescribed after a doctor has deemed it necessary.

Sometimes an adverse reaction to blood transfusion can occur and is treated immediately.

Hurstville Private has a rate below the average industry rate.

We continue to review this by ensuring blood is only prescribed when necessary; ensuring staff are competent in blood transfusion management; and by ensuring that blood and blood product usage is in line with current best practice guidelines, as set out by the National Standard for Blood and Blood Products.

Term babies transferred to a higher level of care

Hurstville Private Hospital Babies Transferred to Higher Care

The transfer of newborns to a Special Care Nursery (SCN) or a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is sometimes necessary to support newborns in the early hours and days after birth.

Some of these transfers can be 'planned' during antenatal care, as the mother's health during pregnancy can be an important predictor in whether further support for the baby is needed, however at other times, this can be an unexpected event that occurs as a result of birth complications.

Healthe Care collects information on the number of babies transferred to a higher level of care to better understand how we can support mothers and babies better with their antenatal and postnatal care.

Hurstville Private Hospital has a slightly higher rate (worse) than the industry benchmark, meaning that more babies at Hurstville Private Hospital require specialised support during the early stages after birth.