Patient Outcomes

Driving quality and outcome improvements in rehabilitation

Our Performance

Our hospital participates in the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre Program (https://www.uow.edu.au/ahsri/aroc/about/). This program encompasses a range of measures focusing on the outcomes of our patient care.

The Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre provides each hospital with a report on their individual performance, along with a comparison against 125 other Australian Hospitals.

Infection Rate (Staph Aureus Bacteraemia or SAB)

Mackay Private Hospital’s Infection Rates

Germs can cause an infection known as staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) which needs antibiotic treatment if it enters the blood. Some serious strains are resistant to antibiotics.

Mackay Private Hospital’s rate of infection is zero, which is below the national average for hospitals. To reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections, we use best practice infection prevention and control with a focus on hand washing as this is the most effective way to stop germs spreading or entering the blood.

We provide continual education and training to all our caregivers to ensure we keep our infection rate well below the national target.

The graph below shows the number of patients that developed a hospital acquired Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteraemia (SAB) infection. Mackay Private Hospital’s rate is lower (better) than the industry benchmark. Mackay Private Hospital has a number of risk mitigation strategies in place to reduce the risk of transmission of Health Care Associated Infections.

The most valuable prevention is for everyone to wash their hands, patients, visitors and health professionals alike.

Clostridium Difficile (C Diff)

Mackay Private Hospital C Diff Rates

C Diff is an infection of the bowel that causes diarrhoea. It can be caused by too many courses of antibiotics or very strong doses of antibiotics. The industry rate varies from 2 to 3 cases per 10,000 days of patient care.

The graph below shows the Clostridium Difficile infection rate at Mackay Private Hospital is 0%, well below the industry average, meaning a patient is less likely to develop a C Diff infection at Mackay Private Hospital.

To reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections, we use best practice infection prevention and control with a focus on hand washing as this is the most effective way to stop germs entering the blood. We provide continual education and training to all our healthcare workers to ensure we keep our infection rate well below the national target.

Pressure Injuries

Mackay Private Hospital’s Pressure Injury Rate

A pressure injury is an area of damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by constant pressure or friction. This can sometimes occur when a patient is in one position and unable to easily move for a long period.

Pressure injuries can be prevented. We also help to reduce the likelihood of our patients developing pressure injuries during their hospital stay, by assessing their individual risk and follow individual care plans.

As part of our clinical care, we inspect skin frequently, keep skin dry, ensure patients have access to the best nutrition and hydration, and help and encourage patients to move frequently.

This is very important in maintaining quality care as pressure injuries can cause significant pain and discomfort that can slow a patient’s recovery.

The graph below shows the number of patients who developed a pressure injury while at Mackay Private Hospital. Mackay Private Hospital’s rate is higher than the industry benchmark.

The hospital has an established Pressure Injury Prevention Management Program and the reporting and monitoring of every pressure injury for the purposes of identifying areas for improvement.

Patient Falls

Mackay Private Hospital's Patient Fall Rates

A fall in a hospital is when a patient suddenly and unintentionally falls to the ground. This can happen in a hospital setting for a number of reasons, such as a change in medication, the after effects of an anaesthetic, or just because the surroundings are unfamiliar. Falls can injure patients and affect their recovery and independence.

This graph below shows the number of patients that sustain a fall that caused a significant injury as a percentage of total patient bed-days (the number of days that all patients spend in hospital. Mackay Private Hospital achieves a lower rate (better) than the industry benchmark.

We achieve a lower rate through our established Falls Prevention and Management Program and an electronic Incident/Risk Management and Reporting System. A variety of best practice tools and prevention intervention guidelines are utilised to identify those patients/consumers at high risk of having a fall.

Individual Care Plan

Mackay Private Hospital’s Individual Care Plan Result

A comprehensive care plan is a document describing agreed goals of care, and outlining planned medical, nursing and allied health activities for an individual patient.

Individual care plans reflect shared decisions made with patients, their carers and families about the tests, interventions, treatments and other activities needed to achieve the goals of care.

The result below shows the number of patients with an individual care plan that has been collaboratively developed by the patient and our mental health team.

Mackay Private Hospital’s rate is higher than the industry benchmark.