Turning health data into better patient care

Congratulations to Richard Le Leu, one of four recent CALHN Staff Values Commendation Award

He’s quiet and unassuming, helping to create ‘instrumental’ change in the patient journey of those at the Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service (CNARTS). 

And true to the values he was nominated for; he simply gets on with the job.  

As the Clinical Research Coordinator, Richard works with many different people: nurses, doctors, surgeons, allied health clinicians, renal consumers, and the digital health team. 

He is quick to point out that he’s part of a team, but his strong coordination skills ensured that the project objectives were achieved.

Richard brings his own PhD research skills and 20+ years as a CSIRO research scientist to benefit the team and many research projects too. 

“Initially my role was to track all CNARTS research and oversee the activities of the CNARTS Clinical Research Group. I would support lead investigators and their teams in all general activities related to the research program”.

A streamlined approach

Richard earned his CALHN Staff Values Commendation for his work in establishing a new streamlined renal data platform, bringing together numerous datasets and collection sheets.

“We had about 20 or 30 individual Excel databases that all collected similar information. People that worked right next to each other didn’t know what details were already being captured.

“So many people forget just how critical data management is. We are supporting the clinicians and managers to be better informed with updates about unit-wide trends, KPIs and individual patient progress.

“Now, at the touch of a button, we’ve got a complete dashboard that not only reduces data duplication for nurses, but it also allows our clinicians to see their patient history.

“With the help of Digital Health CALHN, I’ve linked our database to the EMS, and we can get patient blood results, with lots of different information. We use this in our fortnightly clinical meetings to help look at who needs to start dialysis and better prepare the patient for their dialysis start.

Shining a light

“A real highlight for me has been collating our research outcomes into the CNARTS Annual Report. Initially, I was collecting the information just to go in a simple text-based report. Now we’ve included photos, awards, and importantly, stories from the research. It is a real reward to help shine a light on work that often goes unseen and helping people realise just how much has been achieved."

Congratulations to Richard and his fellow CALHN Staff Values Commendation Award Winners. These awards are peer-nominated for those CALHN staff who demonstrate our values of people first, future focused, ideas driven, and community minded.