Programs Children's Emergency Care Project
The Children's Emergency Care Project has been a pilot project, focusing on the development of a model for guideline implementation, through the integration of clinical practice improvement methodologies and evidence based practice.
Fifty-three pilot sites (one third of all emergency departments in NSW, two thirds from rural and regional areas) participated in the project, which operated from March 2004 to September 2006. The project aimed to make health care safer and more consistent for children and their families presenting to emergency departments in NSW.
The guidelines were developed by the NSW Department of Health and the three Child Health Networks who were key partners in the CEC project.
Program Outcomes
A toolkit detailing implementation strategies and providing practical tools to support implementation of the guidelines to other emergency departments (non pilot sites) in NSW has been published and distributed. Further copies are available below.
Formal external evaluation of the project has demonstrated significant outcomes, including:
- Reduced admission rates for children with gastroenteritis
- Reduced re-presentation to hospital for children with gastroenteritis and asthma
- Staff report increased confidence in caring for children
- Staff believe care of children has been improved through the increased awareness and use of the guidelines
Resources
Toolkit
An e-learning package has been developed as part of the project.
This is seen as a key initiative to facilitate spread and promote sustainability of the CECP project gains, by promoting utilisation of the guidelines by junior medical officers, locum medical officers and nurses working in NSW Health emergency departments.
- Implementation and Education Toolkit - PDF ~1.29mb
Hard copies of the toolkit are also available to healthcare workers and managers of public and private hospitals through the Better Health Centre, North Ryde:-
Phone: (02) 9887-5450
Fax: (02) 9887-5879
Email: bhc@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Publications
Report
The Children's Emergency Care Project was conducted in New South Wales between October 2003 and July 2006.
- Final Report: The Children's Emergency Care Project - PDF ~717kb
Hard copies of the report are also available to healthcare workers and managers of public and private hospitals through the Better Health Centre, North Ryde:-
Phone: (02) 9887-5450
Fax: (02) 9887-5879
Email: bhc@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
