Each year on 17 September the RFDS (Queensland Section) celebrates the global initiative, World Patient Safety Day, to promote patient safety awareness and our commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
The 2024 theme ‘Improving diagnosis for patient safety’ with the slogan ‘Get it right, make it safe!’ highlights the critical importance of correct and timely diagnosis in ensuring patient safety and improving health outcomes.
This resonates with the Flying Doctor’s vision to provide better health access and outcomes for regional, rural and remote communities – no matter where they live, work or travel.
RFDS Nurse Manager Jo Mahony has worked as an aeromedical and primary health care nurse at the RFDS Charleville Base for more than 20 years and said this slogan motivates her every day.
“In healthcare, particularly in the sort of work we do at the RFDS, time is limited, so getting it right the first time is very important,” Jo said.
Providing a mantle of safety for people in the bush has always been the organisation’s mission conducting aeromedical retrievals, inter-facility transfers, primary health care clinics, mental health consultations, telehealth and oral health services across the state.
Despite the challenges of working in rural and remote areas, accurate and timely diagnosis is a priority for the team in providing the finest care.
“Something as simple as getting a blood test can present unique challenges when factoring in the time and distance that needs to be travelled to have a blood test drawn and then sent off for analysis,” she said.
“We can’t change the geographic isolation that exists for some, so we simply have to deal with the challenges it presents.
“We often have to think outside the box to secure diagnostic information or to make the process more seamless for the patient.”
Jo said working in the healthcare system was very much a team pursuit and has embraced the variety of expertise within the RFDS team throughout her career.
“Being able to draw on this expertise for advice can make an enormous difference when we’re making health care decisions for the patient,” she said.
World Patient Safety Day is a call to action for everyone involved in the healthcare process.
It's about creating a culture where patients feel empowered to ask questions, where healthcare teams collaborate effectively, and where systems are designed to support accurate diagnoses.
“We all have a role to play in helping our communities boost their knowledge and health literacy, and encouraging the people we see to take control of their health,” she said.
How you can contribute to World Patient Safety Day
- For healthcare professionals: Embrace continuous learning, stay updated on best practices, and foster open communication within your team.
- For patients: Don't hesitate to ask questions, provide complete information about your symptoms, and be an active participant in your healthcare journey.
- For healthcare organisations: Invest in diagnostic tools and technologies, promote a culture of safety, and implement systems that support accurate diagnoses.
- For policymakers: Advocate for policies that prioritise patient safety and support healthcare systems in improving diagnostic accuracy.
