HeLiNS: health libraries for national standards – outcomes of a national research project
Health Libraries Australia and Health Libraries Inc. were successful in winning the 2016 $5000 ALIA Research Award. This collaborative research – known as the HeLiNS (Health Libraries for the National Standards) Project was jointly coordinated by Ann Ritchie (Convenor HLA) and Michele Gaca (President HLI). Gemma Siemensma and Jeremy Taylor led the two-component studies with Cecily Gilbert taking on the project officer role.
The purpose of the research was to explore and record the contribution that health libraries made to the achievement of hospital accreditation, with a view to demonstrating their value. We hope that this research will provide the evidence basis that will shift the (mis)perception of hospital libraries from being ‘nice to have’ services to essential, core services.
Specific objectives were to:
- Explore ways and provide best practice case studies in which health libraries assist their organisations in achieving accreditation.
- Design expert searches that would assist organisations in keeping current with the latest research-based literature (evidence) pertinent to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
- Assess the availability of resource materials referenced in NSQHS Standards documentation and workbooks
A national reference group was convened which comprised representatives from all states and regions ensuring national relevance.
To see the “NSQHS Standards – live literature searches” please visit this page
A summary of the project was published in JALIA. A book chapter on Health Literacy outcomes is also available.
Please find a poster and a presentation on the project which have been presented at national and international conferences.
Below is a table outlining the eight case studies. Click on each example for more in-depth information:
Case Study Title | Relevant Standard/s | Organisation | Key words |
Austin Health Research Online (AHRO) |
1 |
Austin Health, Vic | Clinical Governance, Information Services, Publications, Research Report |
Health Literacy Champions Program |
2 |
Barwon Health, Vic | Health Literacy, Consumer Health Information, Patient Participation |
Health Literacy in Children’s Health |
2 |
Redland Hospital, Qld | Consumer Health Information, Health Literacy |
Medicines Information Resources – Library & Pharmacy collaboration. |
4 |
Ballarat Health, Vic | Drug Information Services, Medication Errors, Library Collection Development |
Antimicrobials Guideline |
1,4 |
Northern Territory Health | Medication Errors, Patient Safety, Clinical Governance |
Search filters in the CINAHL and JBI databases |
1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10 |
Cabrini Health, Vic | Databases, Bibliographic, Information Seeking Behavior, Information Services, Librarians |
Twilight Talks: engaging health consumers with public lectures |
2 |
Toowoomba Hospital, Qld | Health Literacy, Consumer Health Information |
Words for Wellbeing |
2 |
Ipswich Hospital, Qld | Bibliotherapy, Consumer Health Information |