Windana is in the process of rolling out the Best Practice Client Risk and Assessment Management (BPRAM) project throughout Windana’s operations after a successful 12-month pilot program. BPRAM is an updated risk assessment tool designed to improve client care and support staff working with high-risk clients.

In 2016, Windana clinical staff received BPRAM training as well as one-on-one coaching on the new client assessment processes before trialing BPRAM organisationally.

In July 2017, a 12-month report was distributed on BPRAM’s progress – the results of which have exceeded expectations. For example, since the introduction of BPRAM, unplanned discharge rates have decreased across all program areas.

• 23% reduction in unplanned discharge rates at Drug Withdrawal House
• 20% reduction in unplanned discharge rates at Youth Community Withdrawal House
• 54% reduction in unplanned discharge rates at the Therapeutic Community (Adult Residential Rehabilitation)

Other key findings include:

• 33% reduction of clients’ actual, threatened or attempted self harm
• 94% staff report increase in skills and confidence after BPRAM training
• Greater staff workplace fulfillment and decrease in staff and anxiety when working with high-risk clients

Recent Australian research into the effectiveness of AOD treatment indicates that critical success factors include completion of the residential rehabilitation program. The BPRAM data offers important new information on client experience through the rehabilitation process.

Throughout the pilot, findings of BPRAM have also been shared with AOD healthcare peers through the Victorian Drug & Alcohol Association conference and the Crossroads conference. Windana’s BPRAM initiative also complements the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommendations around innovation in AOD performance reporting frameworks to include measures such as client experience.