❓ Question regarding strategies to address the increasing rate of Aboriginal patients discharging against medical advice (DAMA) within the North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS). The response outlines existing strategies and AHLO staffing levels, while questioning the statistical significance of DAMA rate comparisons.
AnsweredQoN 5649Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 October 2019
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to page 100 of the North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) 2018-19 Annual Report, and ask: (a) What strategies are being put in place to deal with the discharge against medical advice (DAMA) rate for Aboriginal patients; (b) What was the overall number of Aboriginal patients who discharged against medical advice; (c) How many Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO) positions were there during 2018-19; (d) How many AHLO positions are there forecast to be in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22; and (e) Why is NMHS the only metropolitan health service provider that has seen the Aboriginal DAMA rate deteriorate year on year during the reportable period?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2019
Response time
12 days
I am advised:
(a) NMHS is implementing the ‘Aboriginal Health Action Plan 2018-20’ which includes a number of strategies to assist clinicians and staff in providing culturally secure care for Aboriginal patients including:
In addition the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer’s (AHLO) provide early intervention for Aboriginal patients at risk of DAMA. The AHLO implements steps to avert DAMA by directly addressing patient requirements.
(b) 136
(c) 5.2 FTE
(d) 5.2 FTE
(e) The relatively small number of DAMA cases per total discharges impacts on the sample size and therefore the statistical significance of comparisons year-on-year. Further, the comparison to one year does not provide a reasonable trend for which to assess performance.
(a) NMHS is implementing the ‘Aboriginal Health Action Plan 2018-20’ which includes a number of strategies to assist clinicians and staff in providing culturally secure care for Aboriginal patients including:
In addition the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer’s (AHLO) provide early intervention for Aboriginal patients at risk of DAMA. The AHLO implements steps to avert DAMA by directly addressing patient requirements.
(b) 136
(c) 5.2 FTE
(d) 5.2 FTE
(e) The relatively small number of DAMA cases per total discharges impacts on the sample size and therefore the statistical significance of comparisons year-on-year. Further, the comparison to one year does not provide a reasonable trend for which to assess performance.
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