Improving quality of care and outcomes for vascular patients
Vascular system conditions, including diseases of the arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels, can present a risk to life or adversely affect a person’s quality of life.
The Vascular Initiative works collaboratively with sonographers, interventional radiologists, general surgeons with a vascular interest, vascular surgeons and nurses to improve quality of care and outcomes for those with a vascular condition in Te Manawa Taki. It also aims to ensure the wellbeing of the clinical teams providing vascular services. It does this by:
- improving prevention and detection of vascular conditions;
- ensuring consistency of care;
- enhancing clinical pathways; and
- integrating services effectively.
The initiative’s work is informed by the Ministry of Health’s Model of Care: Vascular Services, which promotes the full utilisation of suitably qualified health professionals to maximise the effectiveness of District Health Board (DHB) vascular services. This model supports DHBs to provide safe, equitable, quality-driven services to the patients in their area.
With many smaller DHBs unable to resource a 24/7 vascular service, the model of care offers clinical pathways that deliver services at the location closest to home that is best able to meet the clinical needs of the patient. The model promotes a cooperative approach for ongoing service improvement and clinical collaboration, where specialist centres are supported by smaller centres, including primary and community care.
You can find out more about the Vascular Initiative’s work by viewing the 2018/19 Workplan.
Relevant links