Sparked Bright Sparks: Vicki Bennett

Meet Vicki Bennett – Unit Head at the Pacific Health Information and Classifications Support Unit, and as Program Director of the Pacific Health Information Support Hub within AIHW.

With a background in health Information management and health informatics, Vicki brings a deep experience across hospitals, government agencies, and the Pacific region to the Sparked community. Vicki works with a wide range of communities, as IFHIMA President, Unit Head at the Pacific Health Information and Classifications Support Unit, and as Program Director of the Pacific Health Information Support Hub within AIHW; these roles fuelling her passion for improving how health information is captured and exchanged. Joining Sparked to help shape meaningful standards that fit into the broader health data landscape, Vicki is a unique and valued part of the community.

We spoke to Vicki about her involvement in the Sparked Community, here’s what she had to say!

❓What is your background?

I am a qualified Health information Manager with a Masters in Health Informatics. I have work in public and private hospitals and in Commonwealth health agencies, as well as extensively in the Pacific.

❓ How did you first hear about Sparked and what made you want to become involved?

Through my role in health data standards and digital health. I wanted to be involved to shape the development of these important standards and to ensure that they fit into the existing health data standards landscape.

❓ What do you see as the best outcomes that Sparked has delivered or is working towards?

Developing a common way to describe things in healthcare and for translating that into standards to exchange information without losing the meaning.

❓ How is Sparked different to projects you’ve been involved in before?

The difference is the breadth of engagement of a wide range of stakeholders coming from all parts of the health sector, including consumers. It has created a ground swell of support that is infectious.

❓ What is something you’ve learnt from being part of the Sparked community?

I’ve learnt that standards are sexy, but they are like puppies…they are not just for Christmas. They need to be cared for and nurtured.

❓ Can you share one of your favourite or memorable moments from participating in Sparked?

I’ve enjoyed it all, but I love the fire-related songs used throughout the events.

❓ What excites you most about the future with Sparked?

The development of the AU CDI content has the ability to transform health data capture and transfer throughout the whole healthcare system, as long as it is governed well to ensure adoption.

❓ What’s something unexpected that you’ve learnt/been a part of/connected with through Sparked?

I’ve connected with a range of clinical experts that I would not have met otherwise, and am now part of one of their advisory groups.

❓ How would you explain Sparked to someone not yet involved?

Sparked is an initiative to develop standardised ways to capture and transfer data in healthcare so that patient information follows them throughout their care journey.

❓ What piece of advice would you share to someone who may not yet be a part of Sparked?

Join the community and ensure your voice and the group you represent is not left behind.

❓ If you had to describe Sparked in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, dynamic, driven

❓ If Sparked had a theme song, what would it be?

Ed Sheeran’s ‘Spark’ which started “We’ve been lost for a long time in a rut, no escape sign.” Sparked has helped get us out of the lost rut health data has been in.

❓ Describe Sparked using only emojis

 🥂🤩😎🔥