Mrs Gemma Hunt1
1Southern Adelaide Health Service, Bedford Park, Australia
Biography:
Gemma Hunt is an Allied Health Service Manager in General Medicine with an interest in multi-disciplinary teamwork to support good outcomes for adults admitted to acute hospital care. Gemma trained as a Physiotherapist in Scotland and worked in New Zealand before nearly 20 years of work at Southern Adelaide Local Health Network in South Australia. Her background is in neurological physiotherapy including Acute Stroke and Neurosurgery Physiotherapy before General Medicine. Her passion is advocating and supporting the diverse skills and therapy that the Acute Allied Health team provide to vulnerable and complex patients in collaboration with medicine and nursing.
Abstract:
In March 2024, there was 3-month concentrated investment for additional 12 FTE Acute Allied Health to review and evaluate a 7-day model. The aim of project was to design a successful 7-day Model to provide best care for patients with complex presentations, supporting goals of care and organisation flow.
The 7-Day model of care included:
– Increased access to Allied Health General Medicine across 7 days.
– Active Pulling by Allied Health of patients who may benefit from AH input, reducing time waiting.
– Increased intervention/therapy time with patients and decrease risk of decline whilst in hospital.
– Increased AHA model to assist with pulling referrals and early intervention for patients at risk.
– Collaborative interdisciplinary approach avoiding duplication.
– Increased senior support for AH clinicians in GMF for supervision, coaching and mentoring to support care for complex cases.
– Discharge to Assess Service (patients are provided comprehensive discharge planning and support in their own home setting.
Results:
– Earlier Access to Allied Health by -12.5 hours despite increased demand of 42%
– Increased therapeutic intervention
– 23% increase in number of patients discharged with Allied Health involvement.
– Reduction in length of stay, equivalent to 547.5 (OBD) saving in one year and a cost saving of $492,750*
– Increasing trends of patients discharged to home.
– Successful implementation of a Discharge to Assess service with an accumulated 58 OBDs (occupied bed days) in 9 weeks which is a predicted saving of $302,220* in 1 year.
– Improving trends of Allied Health Staff Wellbeing
*Using average of $900 per day