The Paediatric Resource Hub was recently launched as a one-stop directory of information to assist all clinicians, including emergency care.
Mary Crum
Paediatric Network Manager
The Agency for Clinical Innovation
Alisha Baker
Paediatric Clinical Nurse Consultant
Children’s Healthcare Network – Southern Region
Sydney Local Health District
Developed by clinicians for clinicians, the Paediatric Resource Hub (the Hub) provides a central resource for clinicians and health workers to access the latest paediatric clinical guidelines, policies and directives.
Managed by the Agency for Clinical Innovation’s (ACI) Paediatric Network, “The aim was to create one place where clinicians could access all the information they needed,” explains Mary Crum, the ACI’s Paediatric Network Manager.
The network brings together paediatricians, nurses and allied health professionals to drive innovation in healthcare for children in NSW.
Developed over two years, Mary says the Hub will save clinicians time by making it effortless to access best-practice paediatric healthcare information.
“It’s not only of great benefit to clinicians; they can share the Hub with clinical or service delivery staff and others who provide healthcare to children. The Hub also had an initial focus on acute management, so emergency department (ED) staff will find it beneficial.”
The Paediatric Resource Hub links clinicians to these reputable resources:
- NSW Ministry of Health baby and child policies and directives
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network policies
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and John Hunter Children’s Hospital shared consumer fact sheets
- Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne clinical practice guidelines, including the Paediatric Improvement Collaboration guidelines endorsed by NSW, Queensland and Victoria
- Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne consumer fact sheets
- Queensland Paediatric Emergency Guidelines
- Royal Prince Alfred Newborn Care Clinical Guidelines
- Better Safer Care clinical guidance on newborn care
- Hunter New England Kids Health policies and guidelines
- Hunter New England Kids Health neonatal policies and guidelines.
Support for clinicians and families
Alisha Baker, Paediatric Clinical Nurse Consultant, Children’s Healthcare Network – Southern Region, Sydney Local Health District, encourages clinicians to use the Hub.
Alisha became involved in the development of the Hub through a sense of frustration – her own and that of her colleagues. “I noticed angst at the local health district level among clinicians who tried to find relevant guidelines and resources, and just couldn’t.”
She urges all clinicians who see paediatric patients, including ED staff, to visit the Hub.
“If it’s a routine presentation, many children are often discharged from the ED without paediatric involvement.”
In one click, the Hub provides quick access to clinical information about the 10 most common illnesses that children present with at hospitals. The resources include information aimed at consumers who have children with these common ailments:
- bronchiolitis
- croup
- eczema
- head injury
- pain management
- hand, foot and mouth
- rashes
- influenza
- gastroenteritis
- fever.
“It’s important for nurses to have ready access to these fact sheets. This enables them to provide families with additional information about their child’s illness.”
Ongoing education and updates
Alisha often uses the Hub in her work. “Easy access to the guidelines is important, as I am involved in educating staff from the ED on how to use and access these evidence-based guidelines.”
She encourages clinicians to view the Hub as something they can get involved with.
“It’s a resource that can have continued growth. As further policies and guidelines are made available, they can be included on the Hub to ensure access to this information is user-friendly for all clinicians.”
To learn more and provide feedback, visit the Paediatric Resource Hub.