Safer orthopaedic care through insights and collaboration

A new orthopaedics program piloted in the Hume region, has demonstrated how data, leadership and collaboration can transform patient care and safety in hospitals. The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) program is designed to reduce risk, prevent harm and deliver better outcomes for patients and health services across Victoria.

VMIA partnered with four hospitals in the Hume region—Albury Wodonga Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Kyabram District Health, and Northeast Health Wangaratta—to pilot the GIRFT program in orthopaedic surgery, focusing on five high volume procedures, including hip and knee replacements, revisions, and hip fracture repairs.

A partnership approach to quality and safety

GIRFT is built on the belief that the best results are achieved when clinicians, administrators, and policymakers work together, guided by evidence and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The program supports this by sharing benchmarked data with hospital teams to highlight best practice and opportunities for improvement. It brings together clinical leaders to share lessons learned, and to support changes that improve the quality of care and lead to better patient outcomes.

This collaborative approach has already delivered improvements for orthopaedic patients across the Hume region by reducing unwarranted variation in practice and preventing patient harm.

By analysing data and clinical outcomes, and sharing insights with care providers, the program helps clinicians deliver safer, more efficient, and higher quality patient care.

Positive outcomes from our pilot in orthopaedic surgery

A cornerstone of the program’s success has been the establishment of a strong community of practice. Clinicians and administrators from across the region have come together to share data, insights, and experiences, creating a collaborative environment. This has enabled health services to learn from each other, adopt best practices, and drive continuous improvement across all participating sites.
Through peer benchmarking and service reviews, participating sites standardised implant selection and surgical techniques, improved infection prevention, and reduced unnecessary investigations. These improvements not only support safer care but also help manage costs and resources more effectively.
Supported by benchmarked hospital data, the introduction of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) clinical protocols has delivered tangible benefits. More patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty have been able to get home sooner, improving patient satisfaction and lowering risk of complications.
A core focus of participating hospitals has been on optimising patients’ pre-existing health conditions before surgery. By introducing prehabilitation programs and ERAS principles, clinicians have helped patients better prepare for their procedures. This proactive approach has not only improved surgical readiness, but also supported earlier recovery and discharge, and contributed to more timely access to care without compromising safety or quality.

Why this matters for risk and harm prevention

At VMIA, we see first-hand how unwarranted variation in practice can increase risk and lead to preventable harm.

The success of our pilot in the Hume region shows that when health services are empowered with data and supported to learn together, we can deliver safer, more consistent care for every patient."

By working together, sharing data, and focusing on what matters most—safe, high-quality care for all Victorians—we can truly get it right the first time.

Patient safety

Updated 10 December 2025