Patients such as Lyn Thompson are being supported to return home from hospital sooner, thanks to the Early Access Team (EAT) that is helping patients from Rockhampton, Capricorn Coast and Mount Morgan Hospitals.
Lyn was grateful to receive support from EAT Physiotherapist Laticia Murugan who visited her at home soon after a knee replacement operation at Rockhampton Hospital.
“The best place to do rehabilitation is at home in a familiar setting,” Lyn said. “It gives your independence back.”
The Early Access Team includes an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Social Worker. It contacts patients within 24 hours of discharge to ensure a smooth transition from hospital back to home.
The service addresses the challenge of early discharge support and prevention of readmission at regional hospitals by offering a comprehensive assessment and in-home therapy for up to two weeks, with a plan for additional support or services when required.
It also means more hospital beds are available for patients in need.
The team has demonstrated that providing rapid, in-home allied health support for patients discharged from either hospital or the Emergency Department can:
- Reduce potentially preventable hospital admissions.
- Reduce re-admissions within 28 days.
- Reduce hospital average length of stay for patients.
- Support Emergency Department avoidance.
The Miles Government’s commitment of $2.5 million recurrent funding from the Connected Community Pathways program will enable the innovative service to expand.
Plans are under way to implement the expanded multi-disciplinary older persons integrated care service, which in addition to allied health will include access to an Orthogeriatrician, wound care Clinical Nurse Consultant and Aboriginal Health Workers to ensure more Central Queenslanders can access quality care where and when they need it.
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Ngaire Buchanan said this was one of a number of initiatives helping patients get home sooner and freeing up hospital beds.
“The Early Access Team of allied health professionals ensures patients transition from hospital back home safely and have a comprehensive plan to support their health needs,” she said.
“As well as helping individual patients get home sooner, the Early Access Team program improves patient flow through Rockhampton, Capricorn Coast and Mount Morgan Hospitals, ensuring other patients who need an inpatient bed can access it.”