Dr Felicity Moon1, Ms Sharon Allen1, Ms Dionne Bond1, Ms Cabala Ola1, Ms Gilbert Lisa1, Ms Pwaluri Joseph1, Ms Holly Miller1, Ms Maya Nair1, Ms Simone Trowbridge1
1Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Bedford Park, Australia
Biography:
Felicity has worked as a social worker in hospitals for 14 years, predominantly in adult medicine and emergency settings. After completing an Honours thesis that focused on the role of social workers in relation to residential aged care facilities, she completed a PhD examining end-of-life care for people with dementia in general medicine units. In addition, she has completed other projects examining end-of-life care, family violence, and the care for people who experience frequent presentations to emergency departments.
Abstract:
Background:
Conflict regarding discharge decisions for patients who lack capacity may require hospital social workers to apply to legal tribunals to appoint Guardianship and Administration Orders for discharge decision-making. Applications to SACAT may result in the loss of individual’s ability to make autonomous decisions in relation to lifestyle, accommodation, and financial issues, and pose an ethical dilemma for hospital social workers.
Methods:
This study uses a retrospective mixed-method chart audit of all patient files who received social work interventions and applications to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over a 12-month period. Qualitative content analysis will be used to analyse documentation regarding social work assessment and interventions, and SACAT application and outcomes.
Findings:
This presentation will provide a summary and preliminary analysis of data for all cases. Findings will include a description of the range of interventions used in hospital social work practice, the reasons for the need for SACAT applications, and discharge outcomes for represented patients.
Conclusion:
This presentation will provide insight into current social work practice with patients requiring SACAT applications as part of discharge planning, and the clinical and organisational implications of admissions involving the need for guardianship, administration, and special powers. We anticipate that this will provide foundation data to inform service improvement initiatives and future policy directions.