Victorian Nurse Practitioner Project 2010
Big Picture Mapping Project 2010
Victorian Nurse Practitioner Project 2010
In 2010, DASWest has developed a Nurse Practitioner model, following receipt of a grant from the Department of Health. This is an exciting opportunity for DASWest, and the Drug and Alcohol sector, to develop a clinical leadership position for an expert drug and alcohol Registered Nurse.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are clinical and professional nurse leaders, and have undertaken advanced training and have expert knowledge and clinical skills. The DASWest Nurse Practitioner Drug and Alcohol will focus on Withdrawal and Transitional Pharmacotherapy.
The key features of the DASWest Nurse Practitioner Drug and Alcohol Model of Care will be;
- To undertake a comprehensive health and psychosocial assessment for each referred client
- To provide an expert clinical service to clients who have been appropriately assessed for detoxification
- To prescribe relevant medications for clients
- To order and interpret relevant diagnostic tests
- To provide referrals to specialists / allied health professional
- To liaise with Mental Health agencies and Mental Health clinicians, including psychiatrists in regard to clients with dual diagnoses
- To provide a Bridging / Transitional Pharmacotherapy service for nominated pharmacotherapy patients leaving the acute sector.
- To provide linkages to community based and support programs
- To conduct expert clinical education programs
- To practice within an evidence based clinical framework
- To undertake Quality improvement activities, evaluation of interventions and research
Big Picture Mapping Project 2010
DASWest has recently undertaken a Big Picture Mapping (BPM) project of ten key programs offered by DASWest. We tracked a typical client journey through the Drug and Alcohol service through seven phases; from Referral to Discharge and Follow Up
The aims of the BPM project were to document the current client journey, document any issues, and document shared Improvement Opportunities.
The DASWest programs that were 'mapped' are noted below:
- Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Adult);
- Community Residential Withdrawal Unit (Youth);
- Forensic Counselling Services (Adult);
- Home Based Withdrawal (Adult);
- Homeless Dual Diagnosis;
- Outreach;
- Post Withdrawal Linkages;
- Specialist Pharmacotherapy;
- Women and Children's Program;
- Youth and Family Services.
Improvement Intervention Workshops will be conducted with all DASWest staff to develop program plans for Redesign and Continuous Quality Improvement Opportunities that will be enacted over the coming months.