3 Clinical ICT systems' functionality
At a glance
Background
A clinical ICT system should be configured to support clinicians to effectively deliver patient care, with all users adequately trained in how to competently use the system.
2 Planning and implementation
At a glance
Background
The original funding decision for the HealthSMART program was to implement the clinical ICT system at all major Victorian hospitals by 2007.
Conclusion
The Department of Health (DH) has failed to complete the expected implementation of clinical ICT systems across 19 Victorian health services. This is due to poor planning and inadequate understanding of the complex requirements of designing and implementing clinical ICT systems.
1 Background
1.1 Introduction
Timely and reliable patient information is fundamental to the effective planning, management and delivery of clinical healthcare. Advances in ICT are having a profound effect on healthcare, including raising expectations that patient information will be readily available to clinicians in electronic rather than paper formats.
Auditor-General's comments
 Auditor-General |
Audit team Paul O'Connor—Sector Director Elsie Alcordo—Team Leader Kate Day—Senior Analyst Celinda Estallo—Analyst Annie Skelton—Analyst |
Clinical ICT Systems in the Victorian Public Health Sector: Message
Ordered to be printed
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER October 2013
PP No 265, Session 2010–13
Clinical ICT Systems in the Victorian Public Health Sector
Body
This audit reported on the progress of the implementation of clinical ICT systems in the Victorian public health sector.
Appendix A. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments
Introduction
In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report was provided to the Department of Health and the audited hospitals with a request for submissions or comments.
The submission and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.
Responses were received as follows:
3 Supporting systems
At a glance
Background
Policies and training help health services to embed infection prevention and control systems into daily activities. The Department of Health (the department) can support health services by articulating targeted and strategic priorities to reduce infections.
2 Patient outcomes and performance management
At a glance
Background
Analysis of patient outcomes data can help inform practice or system change to prevent more infections. Health services and the Department of Health (the department) must manage infection prevention and control performance to achieve better outcomes for patients.
1 Background
1.1 Introduction
Community-acquired infections and healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are the most common complication affecting hospital patients. Community-acquired infections are those that people bring with them into hospital. HAIs are acquired or identified during hospital care. Infections can also appear after patient discharge and depending on the severity can require re-admission for further treatment.