Great work by the hospital avoidance team at #CALHN AND the community can also play a part in reducing hospital congestion by taking some simple steps for your self and your family/loved ones: 1. Discuss the goals of care with older family members or those with serious health issues - not everyone wants Resus/CPR or ICU 2. Ensure that everyone is aware of what is appropriate/desired and what is not 3. Make sure people's wishes are documented and the document is "findable" 4. Plan ahead - many admissions are the result of people being unwilling to talk about failing health until it becomes critical 5. Organise and accept community services and other help when available EDs and hospitals are very important for acute care - but they are not always the nicest place for those with frailty and gradually failing health. We risk delivering care which is not wanted or helpful when we spend a lot of time and resources without having thought about these simple steps....
Emergency departments are not always the best option for some patients requiring care, particularly for aged care residents or those with restricted mobility and bariatric conditions. To help patients with complex needs avoid unnecessary trips to hospital, the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) runs the Hospital Avoidance and Supported Discharge Service, run in partnership with the SA Ambulance Service. The service features a multi-disciplinary team of medical, nursing and allied health care teams who are able to provide face to face and telehealth consultations as well as access to ultrasound, X-rays and a CT scanner. Congratulations to the team working in the Hospital Avoidance and Supported Discharge Service after being named the winner of the Excellence in Strengthening Partnerships category at the 2023 SA Health Awards. Learn more about their impact here: https://loom.ly/yarkvwU
