Patients on QEII Hospital’s Ward 4B are set to benefit from more meaningful face-to-face interactions with nursing staff thanks to a $1,000 grant secured by Nurse Unit Manager Kelly Rose through the QEII Hospital Fund.
The funding will support the WOW Project – Patient-Centred Care Without Barriers, an initiative designed to strengthen patient-centred care by removing the Workstation on Wheels (WOW) computer as a physical barrier during key patient interactions.
The project encourages staff to move the WOW outside a patient’s room, when appropriate, during morning and afternoon shifts. Kelly said this simple change will allow nurses to spend more uninterrupted time engaging directly with patients, helping to foster stronger therapeutic relationships and a deeper understanding of individual needs.
"By removing the computer from the interaction, nurses can focus entirely on the patient in front of them," Kelly said.
"This allows us to build rapport and trust, improve communication, and better understand what matters most to each patient. It also helps us identify changes in a patient’s condition, mood, cognition or behaviour earlier, which can lead to more timely care and intervention."
Kelly said she and the Ward 4B team hope the increased face-to-face engagement will contribute to a calmer and more connected care environment for both patients and clinicians.
“Spending quality time with patients enables nurses to better identify factors that may increase a patient’s risk of falling, including mobility concerns, toileting needs, pain, fatigue, confusion, or changes in condition,” Kelly said.
“Stronger communication and relationships can encourage patients to seek assistance rather than attempting to mobilise independently.”
The project is also anticipated to support staff wellbeing by helping to reduce patient distress, agitation, and behavioural escalation, which can contribute to occupational violence incidents in healthcare settings.
Congratulations Kelly and team!