Providing appropriate resources for Aboriginal patient learning is fundamental to enhancing patient centred care. English can be an Aboriginal person’s second, third, fourth or fifth language spoken at home. The ability for an English-speaking nurse to educate Aboriginal patients is challenging in a hospital were approximately 75% of the Aboriginal patients do not have English as their first language. The Royal Darwin Hospital Cardiology nurses completed a qualitative review of the existing cardiac patient education resources in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). It was determined the education pamphlets available are complex in text and rated high level reading on the health literacy scale. There were no resources available in Aboriginal language. Surveying of Aboriginal patients identified a recurrent theme that ‘story telling’ and ‘hearing stories’ is an important way Aboriginal people learn, this was missing with the current education material. Reviewing how a nurse educated patients whilst performing moments of care allowed the nursing challenges to educate a non-English speaking patient to be recognised. A review of alternative education delivery methods was completed. It was determined that talking boards were an audible alternative to written information and an affordable and accessible option when compared to a computerised or electronic application. This led to the development of the ‘cardiac talking boards.’ The boards represent four languages, English, Kriol, Tiwi and Yolngu. After review and patient consultation a cardiac resource is available that is audible, aimed at appropriate health literacy level, culturally appropriate for Aboriginal patients and accessible for patients and nurses.

The Lighthouse Hospital Project – Phase 3 (LHP) is a joint initiative between the Heart Foundation, the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association and the Australian Government. The aim of the project is to reduce the incidence and impact of discharge against medical advice (DAMA) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples with acute coronary syndrome. The Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) are aiming to achieve this by providing care that is culturally safe and appropriate, responsive, accessible, evidence based and clinically appropriate. Implementing projects that will improve the experience of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Enhancing co-ordination of care between hospitals and other primary health care providers. Over the past 12 months strategies have commenced, examples of the work actioned in Coronary Care Unit (CCU) include DAMA de-escalation flow chart, assisting staff to activate increased support to reduce DAMA. Tracking and ensuring clinical discharge summaries are completed and sent to the correct Aboriginal Medical Service, leading to better care and follow up on discharge. Welcoming the patient to CCU has been a focus and welcome bags and a welcome brochure were developed. The space of CCU was repainted and artwork procured to soften the clinical space. The RDH LHP remains in progress and evaluation to date show positive results. The strategies put in place are leading to better engagement and communication with all consumers and in turn enhancing relationship building, patient care delivery and focusing on reducing DAMA rates.

Prepared for the Northern Territory Government.

No abstract available

PS5 Standard for Pharmacy Based Immunisation Programs

Application for registering a radiation apparatus