Service innovation: Intensive Care Unit operations at South West Healthcare

Abstract

Over the past 12 months, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) atSouth WestHealthcare has undergone significant service improvements aimed at increasing access to specialist critical care within our region and therefore reducing the need for transfers to metropolitan hospitals. Key initiatives included the introduction of a 24/7 intensivist-led model of care, overnight ICU registrar coverage, and an ICU liaison service to ensure critically ill patients receive timely assessments, interventions and ongoing specialist care at South West Healthcare. The ICU also expanded its diagnostic and procedural capabilities. Improvements Cardiac ultrasound with PACS data-sharing capability is beingintroduced, improving access tospecialist reviewand supportingtimely clinical decision-making. Weekly Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) meetings wereestablishedto enhance clinical governance and quality improvement. Procedural services were expanded to include temporary pacing wire insertion, PICC line placement, andpermacathprocedures, reducing treatment delays andthe need for transfer to larger centres. These improvements were supported by strong executive commitment and led by the ICU Director and Nurse Unit Manager. Together, they have increased the hospitals ' ability to provide high-quality specialist care locally, improving patient access to services while keeping more patients closer to home. This service redesigndemonstrateshow investment in workforce, clinical leadership, governance, and procedural capability can strengthen regional intensive care services and improve outcomes for patients in rural and regional communities