New model of care: Rapid Face to Face Triage for clients discharged home.
Birgitte Bowers1, Kim Williams11Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
Background:
Response times for clients referred to the community rehabilitation program (CRP) increased to 30-40 days after discharge from hospital during COVID. This led to an increase of avoidable readmissions back to hospital and poor patient experience.
Method:
We introduced an additional team (Rapid Triage Team (CRTT)) in April 2022. The 9EFT multidisciplinary allied health and nursing senior clinician team aim to visit the client in their own home within 48 hours of discharge from hospital to ensure client was safe at home and commence appropriate management.
Results:
In the first 10 months CRTT received 1555 referrals. Vast majority of clients had multiple comorbidities and added complexity. Wait times reduced from 30-40 days to average of 3 days (sustained). The avoidable readmission rate reduced from 13.0 % to 2.5 %. Length of stay reduced by 20 days when first seen by CRTT clinicians.
Discussion:
Introducing CRTT has reduced avoidable hospital readmissions and length of stay likely leading to improved quality of care for clients and cost savings for the health service. These positive results can be explained by the CRTT team adding value by addressing risk factors early and starting rehabilitation when clients are still in early recovery phase. A high level of autonomy of clinical decision making at the initial assessment has helped ensure clients are seen in the most appropriate service and setting based on clinical presentation.
Biography
Birgitte is a physiotherapist with extensive experience in the private and public health care sectors in Melbourne.
Birgitte joined Eastern Health in 2007 and has worked in many capacities during this time. She is passionate about Community Rehabilitation and has spent most of her working years in this area. The last 11 years as Manager for Subacute Ambulatory Care Services (SACS) for Community Rehab and Specialist Clinics. She is currently the Clinical Lead for two Better@Home funded projects. She has a Master of Public Health and a Diploma of Management and is co-author to a number of publications.