Overview
In this unit you will apply knowledge of patient safety, risk management and quality improvement in health care to undertake a limited clinical audit of a medical sonography department. You will examine reasons for adverse events identified, prioritise action and identify appropriate intervention as part of a quality improvement implementation strategy. You will apply quality assurance principles to a review of clinical report writing. As part of the clinical governance process you will evaluate your own professional performance and plan for your own continuing professional development.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Co-requisite MEDS20002 Medical Sonography Clinical Course 3
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student survey
Assessment task 1
This unit is discontinued as of the end of term 1 2017
Feedback from Student survey
Assessment Task 2
This unit is discontinued as of the end of term 1 2017
Feedback from Student survey
Course delivery
This unit is discontinued as of the end of term 1 2017
- Discuss the key components of clinical governance, quality improvement, risk management and patient safety cultures in health care.
- Appraise your own professional performance to identify goals for continuing professional development.
- Employ quality improvement tools and strategies in the context of a clinical sonography environment.
Australasian Sonography Association Competency Standards for the Entry Level Sonographer
Units 1-4.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 0% | |||
| 2 - Portfolio - 0% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 0% | ||||||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 0% | ||||||||
Textbooks
Enhancing Patient Care: A practical guide to improving quality and safety in hospitals
First Edition (2009)
Authors: Wolff, alan.,Taylor,Sally
MJA books, Australian Medical Publishing Company Limited (AMPCo)
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 978097757865(pbk)
Binding: Other
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
d.chester@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Lecture - Introduction & Clinical Governance
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009. Enhancing Patient Care:A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 1-14.
Baird M., Lombardo P. 2005.Establishing competency in clinical practice.Sound Effects issue 4.pg 23-27.Clay N. 2004.
Strategies for Eliminating the Sonographer Shortage: Recruitment, Retention, and Educational Perspectives. JDMS. 20: 408-413..
Lewis C., 2005. Teleultrasound survey reveals sonographer practitioners a reality in Queensland public hospitals.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Tutorial Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm AEST.
8:30 pm - 9:30pm Daylight savings time
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 2 -
Lecture -- Quality Improvement-
Closing Gaps in Patient Care
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009. Enhancing Patient Care:A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 37-46
Papp J., 2011. Quality Management in the Imaging Sciences.4th edn. Mosby. Chapter 1, pages 1-16.
Persutte W. 2002. It's About Time. JDMS. 18:52-58.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 3 -
Lecture- Quality Management in Sonography Facilities
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009. Enhancing Patient Care:A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 37-46
Papp J., 2011. Quality Management in the Imaging Sciences.4th edn. Mosby. Chapter 1, pages 1-16.
Persutte W. 2002. It's About Time. JDMS. 18:52-58.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Tutorial Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm AEST.
8:30 pm - 9:30pm Daylight savings time
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 4 -
Lecture- Risk Management and Adverse Events
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009 Enhancing Patient Care: A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals.Pages 37-46
Fitzgerald R. 2001. Error in Radiology. Clinical Radiology 56: 938-946.
Sanders R.C., 2003.
Saunders R.C, 2003. Changing Patterns of Ultrasound-Related Litigation. J Ultrasound Med. 22:1009-1015.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 5 -
Lecture - Detecting Adverse Events
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009. Enhancing Patient Care: A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 49-89
Russell S., 2014. Ultrasound quality assurance and equipment governance. Ultrasound; 22:66-69.
Johnson D. et al. 2014. Designing a Safer Radiology Department. AJR: 198:398-404.
Kiss J. 1998. What the Sonographer should know about the Bioeffects of Ultrasound. Sound Effects; 27-30
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Tutorial Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm AEST
Written Assessment 1 Due: Week 5 Tuesday
APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF TRAINEE SONOGRAPHER Due: Week 5 Tuesday (3 Apr 2018) 2:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Have a well earned break
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 6
Lecture - Risk Management in Radiology
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009 Enhancing Patient Care: A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 95-115
Risk Management in Radiology in Europe p1-12
Link on Moodle
How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2011 p 1- 27
Healthcare risk assessment made easy. 2007. NHS National Patient Safety Agency.
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009 Enhancing Patient Care: A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 119-150.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Tutorial Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 7-
Lecture - Quality Assurance in Radiology.
Chapter
Comprehensive Clinical Audits of Diagnostic Radiology Practices: A Tool for Quality Improvement. 2010.International Atomic Energy Agency. Vienna.
Russell S., 2014. Ultrasound quality assurance and equipment governance.Ultrasound; 22:66-69.
Johnson D. et al. 2014.Designing a Safer Radiology Department. AJR: 198:398-404.
Kiss J. 1998. What the Sonographer should know about the Bioeffects of Ultrasound. Sound Effects; 27-30.
Foote J. Houston D. North N. 2002.
Tierney H. 2012. Why sonographers need Professional Indemnity Insurance. Sound Effects 1: 12-14.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 8 -
Lecture - Taking Action to Close Gaps in Care
Chapter
Dickie JA., Ellwood DA., Robertson M. 2011. What’s in a referral letter: does the detail matter? AJUM: 14(30; page 11-14.
Muir M. Hrynkow P., Chase R., Boyce D., & Mclean D. 2004.
The Nature, Cause and Extent of Occupational Musculoskeletal Injuries among Sonographers: Recommendations for Treatment and Prevention. JDMS 20:317-325.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (2010) Radiology Written Report Guideline Project (pages 10-16) Appendix 1A pages 30-32
Good practice for Radiological Reporting: Guidelines from the European Society of Radiology (2011) European Society of Radiology (ESR)
Guidelines for Report Writing (2016)The Society and College of Radiographers.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Tutorial Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 9 -
Lecture - A Practical Framework for Improving Patient Care
Report writing 1
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009 Enhancing Patient Care: A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 155-185.
Tierney H. 2012.Why sonographers need Professional Indemnity Insurance Sound Effect 1:page 12-14
Walvoord K. 2006.Understanding Sonographer Burnout. JDMS 22:200-205
Foote J. Houston D. North N.2002. Betwixt and Between:Ritual and the Management of an Ultrasound Waiting List.Health Care Analysis. 10: 357-377.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Self-Study Guide 10 -
Lecture - Patient Safety Cultures
Report writing 2
Chapter
Wolff A., Taylor S. 2009 Enhancing Patient Care: A Practical Guide to Improving Quality and Safety in Hospitals. Pages 189-200, 223-227.
Donnelly L. Dickerson J.Goodfriend M. Muething S.2010. Improving Patient Safety in Radiology. AJR:194: 1183-1187.
Taylor J. 2002. The Public Life of the Fetal Sonogram and the Work of the Sonographer. JDMS 18:367-379.
Manchester Patient Safety Framework. 2006. NHS National Patient Safety Agency
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Tutorial Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Written Assessment 2 Due: Week 11 Tuesday
Quality Improvement Portfolio Due: Week 11 Tuesday (22 May 2018) 2:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This Unit is to be delivered in teach out mode and the Unit Coordinator is yet to be advised.
Please use the Q&A forum whenever possible as this provides a point of contact with whichever staff are assigned to this unit.
The on-line tutorials are a way for you to ask questions, gain feedback and join in discussion sessions concerning theoretical concepts and completion of assessment tasks. The tutorials are offered in the evening as this allows students on Clinical placement to attend.
Reliable access to the internet is required to undertake this unit, as unit materials, tutorials and updates will be provided via the Unit Moodle platform, email and Zoom. It is important for you to check your student E-mails regularly as updates about the unit will be sent from the unit coordinator via E-mail.
Please note written assessment 1 is due week 5 (Tuesday).
Please note that written assessment 2 is due week 11 (Tuesday).
To pass this Unit the student must pass both assessment tasks.
There will not be a final written examination for this unit.
All students are expected to be available for completion of this unit until the conclusion of week 12.
Weekly resources will include access to relevant readings via the unit Moodle page, however you will need to acquire the prescribed text to successfully complete this unit.
:https://staffnet.cqu.edu.au/search/Pages/results.aspx?k=Assessment%20Policy%20and%20Procedure
You are expected to spend on average 10 - 12 hours of time each week in your study activities for this unit. A suggested
time budget for weekly study is
2 - 3 hours for watching recorded lectures and taking notes
1/2 - 1 hours for completing assigned reading
1 hour for completion of other posted learning activities
2 - 3 hours for creating study notes to meet weekly learning goals using lectures and readings
1/2 hour to prepare for tutorial using posted questions
1 hour of participation in online tutorial
1 - 2 hours for revision in preparation for assessments
1 Written Assessment
As an accredited sonography student working in a health care facility, you must possess the qualifications and experience to fulfill the requirements of your position. The media still report adverse events occurring in health facilities due to health professionals not possessing the required qualifications, experience or currency for practice. This deficit can have significant impact on the quality of patient care and safety. Clinical governance of health care facilities is the part of quality improvement which ensures that health care professionals possess satisfactory credentials and undertake appropriate professional development.
Your assessment task is to describe your current credentials and detail your future plans for professional development in an application for the position of Trainee Sonographer at a health facility (the position description is available in the assessment block in the unit Moodle site). By completing this assessment task you will gain the ability to write applications for employment which will be useful to you throughout your professional career.
Your application will comprise:
- A cover letter (one page)
- Your curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum three pages)
- A key selection criteria outline (maximum three pages)
The best applicants will tailor their application to the facility details in the position description so you should highlight those important aspects to engage them into further consideration of your application. Your cover letter should explain your motivation and ability to be a Trainee Sonographer and the CV should outline the skills and experience that qualify you for the role offered.
One of the key selection criteria asks you to demonstrate your ‘interest in maintaining, reviewing and updating training and education needs, both individually and, for the practice’. In response to this key selection criteria you will identify your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the form of a SWOT analysis and clearly articulate five (5) goals which relate to the maintenance, review and update of your own training and education (professional development) over the next three (3) years. These five goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART goals).
In the curriculum vitae, cover letter and key selection criteria outline you will be expected to demonstrate relevant knowledge of the concepts of quality practice covered up to the week of submission, including the use of appropriate terminology.
Further details will be available on the course Moodle site.
Please save/upload your file in WORD format (.doc or .docx) so markers comments can be added.
Week 5 Tuesday (3 Apr 2018) 2:00 pm AEST
• Save/upload your file in Word format (.doc or .docx).
Week 7 Tuesday (24 Apr 2018)
Via Gradebook
Your submission will be marked on your ability to:
- Present an appropriately structured application with suitable spelling, grammar, adherence to page limits, etc
- Provide an organised submission
- Include relevant content to the task
- Discuss SWOT ANALYSIS and SMART GOALS
Completion advice:
As this task is professionally authentic, it is expected that your effort, research and presentation will be of an appropriately high standard.
Applications which are too long rarely rate as highly as those that match stated expectations, however you can exceed this guide by 0.5 page / application.
Text should be word-processed (Arial 12), with appropriate layout and use of headings/subheadings.
Use footers with your name, student number and page number.
Include no irrelevancies or content which raises concern about equal opportunity and/or anti-discrimination legislation.
Save/upload your file in Word format (.doc or .docx).
This is a PASS/FAIL assessment and no raw mark will be provided.
- Discuss the key components of clinical governance, quality improvement, risk management and patient safety cultures in health care.
- Appraise your own professional performance to identify goals for continuing professional development.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
2 Portfolio
Quality practice in healthcare is about enhancing patient care with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality.
When an adverse event in health care occurs it can have devastating and far reaching effects. It may have an impact on those directly involved - patients, relatives, staff and visitors - and on the reputation of the healthcare organisation, the service or the profession within which the incident occurred. The steps to implementing quality change in patient care are many and are encompassed in various quality improvement frameworks.
You will complete the quality improvement tools, and make relevant evidence based comments, to produce a portfolio style report in response to the task proposed.
Full details of this assessment task are available on your Unit Moodle site.
Word count: 2000 words
Appropriate Vancouver referencing (in-text and reference list) is to be used.
Week 11 Tuesday (22 May 2018) 2:00 pm AEST
Save/upload your file in Word format (.doc or .docx).
Exam Week Tuesday (12 June 2018)
You will be marked on your ability to:
- Present a submission with suitable spelling, grammar, academic writing, referencing, etc
-
Provide a structured and organised portfolio submission in relation to the proposed task
- Include relevant content to the task
- Write a report
Completion advice:
As this task is professionally authentic, it is expected that your effort, research and presentation will be of an appropriately high standard.
Save/upload your file in Word format (.doc or .docx), 2000 word limit. Vancouver referencing is to be used. Complete all quality improvement tools.
This is a PASS/FAIL assessment and no raw mark will be provided.
- Discuss the key components of clinical governance, quality improvement, risk management and patient safety cultures in health care.
- Employ quality improvement tools and strategies in the context of a clinical sonography environment.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
