A new triage room and behavioural assessment room are complete at Wimmera Health Care Group’s Emergency Department.
Director of clinical services Don McRae said the Department of Health funded works which commenced in March and were completed on schedule. The works are part of an overall focus on reducing occupational violence.
The works created a new triage area, where patients are assessed on arrival and increases the number of treatment bays to include a behavioural assessment room to help manage patients who may be a risk to themselves, staff and other patients.
"The inclusion of the behavioural assessment room improves safety within the department immensely for staff and patients and other agencies we work with such as Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police," Mr McRae said.
"Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in occupational violence and behaviours of concern in the Emergency Department and a room like this has become necessary to provide safer care for everyone.
"The room allows a patient to be separated from other patients in an environment that improves their safety and the safety of the people who are assessing or treating them.
"Everyone was very patient during the building works and we have received great feedback on the changes."
Mr McRae said the design changes to the Emergency Department, along with de-escalation training and techniques implemented with staff has seen an improvement in the way patients are managed at Wimmera Health Care Group.