❓ Question addresses increased assaults at Bunbury Regional Hospital, seeking information on government action, offender circumstances, and police reporting. Answer outlines safety measures, data limitations, and resource constraints.
AnsweredQoN 4113Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the Minister's answer to question on notice No. 4041, that the number of assaults at Bunbury Regional Hospital have more than doubled in the last two years and I ask, what action is the Government taking to provide hospital staff with a safer work place? (2) Of the 26 assaults reported in 2015, how many of the offenders at the time of the assault were: (a) under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol; and (b) experiencing a mental health problem? (3) Of the 26 assaults, how many were reported to the Western Australia Police?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 June 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Health
Response time
44 days
(1) There are a considerable range of incidents classified as ‘assaults’ all of which are treated seriously, as the safety of patients and staff is a high priority. The aim of reporting is to identify opportunities for improved management and prevention as well as to identify trends in frequency and type of occurrence at each health site.
There has been an increased focus on safety and the introduction of Patient Aggression Response Training (PART). This increased awareness and encouragement of a reporting culture has potentially increased the rate of safety risk reports associated with physical and verbal aggression incidents. Assault cases have been attributed to a variety of issues, including patient confusion secondary to aging and dementia, mental health disorders, alcohol and other substance use.
To protect patients and staff, a Dementia Short Term Intervention program has been introduced to improve strategies for managing patient safety, and Bunbury Hospital employs security staff and health workers are trained in de-escalation techniques.
(2)(a-b) WA Country Health Service (WACHS) South West does not capture data on the private confidential clinical information of the perpetrator of the assault. Some of these incidents could have resulted from an agitated visitor and may be unrelated to direct patient care.
(3) WACHS reporting systems does not routinely capture data on assaults reported to Police. Information is recorded on reporting forms and some databases as narrative text and comments which can include Police notifications and reporting. The detailed information would require considerable time through manual processes which would divert staff away from their normal duties and it is not considered to be a reasonable or appropriate use of government resources to provide this information.
There has been an increased focus on safety and the introduction of Patient Aggression Response Training (PART). This increased awareness and encouragement of a reporting culture has potentially increased the rate of safety risk reports associated with physical and verbal aggression incidents. Assault cases have been attributed to a variety of issues, including patient confusion secondary to aging and dementia, mental health disorders, alcohol and other substance use.
To protect patients and staff, a Dementia Short Term Intervention program has been introduced to improve strategies for managing patient safety, and Bunbury Hospital employs security staff and health workers are trained in de-escalation techniques.
(2)(a-b) WA Country Health Service (WACHS) South West does not capture data on the private confidential clinical information of the perpetrator of the assault. Some of these incidents could have resulted from an agitated visitor and may be unrelated to direct patient care.
(3) WACHS reporting systems does not routinely capture data on assaults reported to Police. Information is recorded on reporting forms and some databases as narrative text and comments which can include Police notifications and reporting. The detailed information would require considerable time through manual processes which would divert staff away from their normal duties and it is not considered to be a reasonable or appropriate use of government resources to provide this information.
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