Ipswich Hospital’s commitment to perioperative excellence has been recognised after being selected to host part of an innovative new Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) course next year.

With a focus on enhancing patient care, the ANZCA Course in Perioperative Medicine is designed to help specialist doctors - including anaesthetists, surgeons, physicians and general practitioners - enhance their skills and knowledge in perioperative care​.

The course is comprised of online learning, in-person workshops and a clinical immersion component, with Ipswich Hospital the only Queensland Health hospital chosen as a clinical immersion site.

Dates for the clinical immersion training in Ipswich are to be determined.

Perioperative medicine relates to care provided across the full patient pathway before, during and after surgery.

Developed in December 2021, ANZCA's Perioperative Care Framework is also guiding West Moreton Health’s perioperative care and delivering benefits including:

• Improved patient care and safety

• Improved management of surgical wait lists

• Streamlining of patients across both elective and emergency surgeries

• Enhanced collaboration and communication between GPs and treating teams to improve outcomes

• Significant cost savings

• Participation in research projects

•  Establishment of multidisciplinary teams

• Commencement of pre-rehabilitation for elective surgical patients

• Improved post-operative rehabilitation and discharge planning. 

Ipswich Hospital Deputy Director of Anaesthesia Dr Hannah Brown said involvement in the ANZCA course was recognition of the hospital’s proud track record of providing high-quality perioperative care.

“The clinical immersion sites have been selected for their dedication to perioperative medicine excellence, patient care and advanced medical techniques, so to be the only Queensland Health hospital chosen is testament to Ipswich Hospital’s first-class care and staff,” Dr Brown said.

“The immersive training will bring together some of the best specialist doctors from across the state and country, putting Ipswich Hospital and West Moreton Health at the forefront of national perioperative care.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to be involved, and it’s important we recognise the role of our hard-working perioperative staff in making this a reality.

“We set high standards in our perioperative care and it’s pleasing to see that acknowledged.”