Quality Systems and Safety

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

340 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject focuses on advanced nursing practice in primary care. The principles of safety and quality improvement will underpin all topics covered. This involves areas such as leadership in a multidisciplinary environment, risk management, initiating systems change, implementing evidence based practice and research to improve health outcomes, new models of comprehensive complex team care e.g. nurse-led clinics. Content will include improving practice systems, accreditation, infection control and effective triage.

At the completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Describe innovation, change management, quality improvement processes, teamwork skills and leadership models relevant to multidisciplinary teams in primary care
• Demonstrate advanced skills in implementing evidence based practice and guidelines for health outcomes
• Understand the systems (eg audit, recall, managing test results, and communication), required to manage risk within general practice
• Demonstrate the reflective skills to mentor, educate and provide leadership in a multidisciplinary team
• Outline the principles of effective triage and evidence based strategies to minimise the spread of infection within general practice

• Career portfolio equivalent to 2,500 words due mid semester 1 (30%)
• 2 x 2,000 word case studies due end semester 1 (30%)
• Reflective journal throughout semester (up to 1000 words) due mid semester 2 (pass/fail hurdle requirement)*
• 2,000 word written assignment due end of year (40%)

*In order to pass this hurdle requirement, students must demonstrate that they have read and understood the materials related to the tasks and can apply the principles and evidence based guidelines to the context in which they work.

Students must achieve a cumulative mark of at least 50% and a pass in the hurdle requirement in order to pass the subject.

All reading materials and workbooks provided to distance students.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students should be able to demonstrate

• further developed written and verbal communication skills
• enhanced leadership and teamwork skills
• enhanced critical thinking skills

Students undertaking this subject via the Community Access Program (CAP) must provide all the following supporting documents when applying.

• Evidence of National Division 1 Registration
• Certified copies of academic transcript from undergraduate degree.
• Evidence of at least one year professional experience in a clinical setting (the provision of a CV is not sufficient; an example of valid evidence is a letter of reference or an employment contract).