Welcome and Introduction

Using Restraints in Clinical Practice

Restraints were a key feature reported on in the royal commission into aged care. Awareness, understanding and usage of restraints vary across clinical settings; however, there is a clear need to promote less restrictive practices. This session will include:

• How to classify a restraint
• What the reality of restraint usage is
• What contentious issues are associated with restraints

Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases

There are increasing rates of infectious diseases in our population that we have never seen before or haven’t seen for a long time. In this session, you will become aware of how and why these diseases are occurring. This session will cover:

• The terminology related to infectious diseases
• The incidence of infectious diseases that have appeared in the past 20 years
• Why old diseases are re-emerging
• What the community’s role is in controlling emerging and re-emerging infectious disease

Technology in Diabetes Management

Diabetes treatments have come a long way since the first insulin shot. Nowadays, technology is a key part of diabetes management. This session will discuss how technology continues to support those living with diabetes and includes:

• Diabetes technology then and now
• The use of integrative technologies in diabetes treatment
• A look at the barriers to low uptake

Falls in Older Persons

Around one in three Australians aged 65 and over have a fall each year. Falls are a significant contributor to pain, injury, disability and death in older populations. Nurses play a crucial role in preventing falls in a range of acute settings and the wider community. This session provides an update in this area of practice. After this session, participants will be aware of:

• Common medications and how they can lead to falls
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of orthostatic hypotension
• Common medications used for osteoporosis

Emerging Technologies That Will Change the Practice of Mental Health Nursing

Technology is a big part of most aspects of healthcare; however, mental health is still being overlooked in terms of technological advancements. This session will discuss how we can use technology to improve physical and mental comorbidity among mental health clients and includes:

• How can technology help improve the wellbeing of mental health clients?
• What are the barriers to implementing technological advancements in mental health?

HIV in 2020

The rates of HIV have fallen significantly in Australia over the past 20 years. However, there is a need for continued prevention and treatment strategies to reduce HIV prevalence. This session describes HIV in the Australian context today and includes:

• An introduction to HIV
• HIV in Australia
• Current HIV epidemiology
• HIV testing
• HIV prevention

Sepsis: It’s About TIME

Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In Australia, approximately 5000 deaths occur each year due to sepsis - almost five times the national road toll last year (2019)! With these statistics predicted to keep rising, it is vital for health practitioners to be aware of how best to care for these patients. Not only to treat those already diagnosed but also to be skilled in detecting a deteriorating patient early. After this session, you will be able to:

• Define SIRS, sepsis and septic shock
• Identify the risk factors, signs and symptoms of sepsis and the importance of early escalation
• Define the initial management actions for sepsis
• Understand key principles in the use of antibiotics for sepsis
• Know the most up to date evidence regarding sepsis management

Patient Safety in the Acute Setting

This session will ask the question ‘how safe is the system?’. It will examine what a high-reliability organisation looks like and how we move healthcare toward that direction. We will also examine some patient safety programs within hospitals and discuss how you can raise and escalate safety concerns, as well as looking at how influencing the way we communicate has on the outcome of raising such concerns.

Working Together to Help Dementia Patients

Caring for a person with dementia can sometimes involve many challenges. This is why collaboration and empowerment between clinicians are essential to improve patient outcomes. This session will consider:

• What does it mean to have transparency and collaboration across networks and providers?
• How do we empower clinicians in dementia care?
• How do we support people with dementia who have complex issues (e.g. severe behavioural changes)?

Eating for Healthy Ageing

Nutrition is important at any age, including old age. As older adults tend to eat less, nurses have to ensure that they still fulfil their nutritional requirements to maintain their health. This session will look at:

• A review of nutritional requirements for adults and older adults
• The current nutrient intakes in Australia
• The impact of lifestyle on overall health and wellbeing

Advanced Liver Disease

Those who live with chronic hepatitis B and C infections are at risk of developing advanced liver diseases. This session includes:

• How hepatitis B and C can progress into advanced diseases
• The different types of advanced liver disease, such as:
• Liver cirrhosis
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
• The Care of the patient living with advanced liver disease

Trauma-Informed Self Care

Working in an allied health context often involves exposure to trauma material, which impacts us over time. Understanding the dynamics of patient-clinician interactions within an allied health context can help us develop meaningful, effective self-care practices. This session explores:

• The physiology underlying vicarious trauma and relationships in healthcare settings
• Approaches to work
• Balanced care for both patients and nurses