How will artificial intelligence influence healthcare in the near future; what is the potential and what are the pitfalls? In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare - the Essentials of Clinical Governance’, host Dr David Rankin challenges senior healthcare administrator and healthcare futurist Professor Erwin Loh with a striking scenario. Together they delve into what to do when AI makes a mistake, explores biases, grapple with legal implications, and unravel the potential of AI to revolutionise medical decision-making. And they navigate the ethical and practical concerns that are raised. Li ..read more

In this episode of ‘Safeguarding Healthcare – the Essentials of Clinical Governance’, host Dr David Rankin interviews Professor Andrew Johnson from James Cook University, a veteran medical administrator now working as a consultant. They dissect the importance of measuring improvement effectively and addressing risk tolerance within the hospital system. Prof. Johnson suggests a shift in focus towards understanding and managing complexity in healthcare systems. The conversation offers practical strategies for enhancing compliance, monitoring care processes, and building resilience to tackle unex ..read more

In this episode of "Safeguarding Healthcare – the Essentials of Clinical Governance," Dr. Liz Mullins, the Director of Medical Services for Bega Valley Health Service, discusses engaging surgical staff in quarterly specialist craft group meetings with host Dr David Rankin. They address issues of relevance, consultation and the importance of mutual benefit. Dr. Mullins emphasizes the need for proactive engagement, personalized communication, and the role of directors of medical services in fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. The conversation extends to meeting dynamics, system-focus ..read more

What does a medical administrator do when a patient who suffers complications from surgery complains that they weren’t warned? In this episode of Safeguarding Healthcare, Dr David Rankin delves into the intricate world of informed consent with Dr Tony Sara, who is a Medical Advisor at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, President of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation and a fellow of the Australian Institute of Digital Health. Their discussion explores various aspects of informed consent, from legal principles and nuances to the use of interpreters, consent in eme ..read more

What are the best approaches to being an effective medical department manager — even if you come to the job reluctantly? In this episode of Safeguarding Healthcare, host Dr David Rankin speaks with Dr Simon Collins about the challenges faced by medical department heads, focusing on a hypothetical scenario involving tensions between emergency and anaesthetic departments. The episode covers issues like ensuring safe coverage, managing relationships with other departments, addressing after-hours attendance, and educating junior doctors. Dr Collins, who is the Acting General Manager and director o ..read more

When an inpatient takes his own life, it sparks myriad issues and concerns for any medical administrator. In this episode, Dr David Rankin and Dr Nick O'Connor explore the challenges of medical administration in this tragic scenario, through the lens of the restorative justice approach. Dr O’Connor is the Clinical Lead of the Mental Health Patient Safety Program for the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission. He is a psychiatrist with more than 25 years’ experience in clinical leadership and assessing medical practitioners for the NSW Medical Council. David and Nick discuss the hypothetical case o ..read more

How would a seasoned medical administrator handle a doctor whose eyesight is failing? In this episode of Safeguarding Healthcare Dr David Rankin delves into the complex world of medical administration with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Acting Director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Western Health, Dr Rupert Sherwood. Dr Sherwood is presented with the challenges and dilemmas raised by a scenario involving a seasoned gynaecologist whose deteriorating eyesight raises concerns about patient safety and the potential impact on their clinical practice. Dr Sherwood candidly discusses the se ..read more

In this episode of Safeguarding Healthcare, we look at what would happen in a hospital when a newborn dies after a mother and midwife choose to ignore hospital protocols. Host and veteran medical administrator Dr David Rankin presents a senior NSW Health Ministry medical advisor, Dr Paul Douglas, with this hot-button scenario, in a medical landscape where patients are demanding more say in their care. Dive into the heart of the matter as they discuss patient autonomy, policy adherence, and the profound impacts such cases can have on medical team members — some of whom will be traumatized, whil ..read more

In this episode of Safeguarding Healthcare, seasoned medical administrator Professor Gavin Frost and host Dr David Rankin discuss the complex scenario of a young, enthusiastic surgeon who is proposing a novel technique for pediatric diabetes management. They discuss the challenges, considerations, and stakeholder involvement necessary for such a venture, from the importance of research and evidence to engaging with various professionals and organizations. Prof. Frost's insights and advice on clinical governance provide a perspective on ensuring the safety and success of inn ..read more

In this episode, another senior medical administrator is confronted with a challenging scenario: how to address high hospital-acquired infection rates. Clinical governance veteran Dr David Rankin speaks with Dr Peter Lowthian, who has worked as a Director of Medical Services and who currently serves on the boards of a large private hospital and the Australasian Cardiac Surgery Research Institution. The two discuss infection issues, particularly focusing on urinary tract infections in orthopedic wards, emphasizing the importance of data accuracy, involving clinicians in data collection, and ind ..read more