Mrs Zoe Gulliver1, Mrs Laura Handley1, Ms Alicia Smith1
1Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, Australia
Abstract:
Older people awaiting placement in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) often experience long hospital stays, increasing their risk of complications and limiting allied health input. To address this, an aged care transitional care ward (TCW) was established to support patients transitioning from hospital to RACF, aiming to optimise their quality of life. A transdisciplinary allied health model was piloted to assess its impact on patient outcomes and staff experience.
A cohort-observational design evaluated the model over 6 months. A team of five allied health disciplines underwent competency training and engaged in service planning. Patient outcomes such as function, mobility, nutrition, quality of life, and patient experience were measured on admission and discharge. Staff completed surveys on team dynamics and interprofessional perceptions at months one and six.
The cohort included 55 patients with an average length of stay of 33 days. 97% achieved some or all of their self-determined goals, and 91% maintained or improved functional scores. All patients maintained or improved mobility, and quality of life scores increased by 10%. Patient feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with no hospital-acquired complications. Surveys of five staff members revealed enhanced skill sets, greater collaboration, and improved role satisfaction.
The transdisciplinary model promoted skill-sharing, expanded scope, and provided comprehensive care. The implementation of this allied health-led model in TCW resulted in positive patient outcomes and improved staff experiences, fostering cohesive, patient-centred care. Expanding this model could transform service delivery and enhance both patient and staff experiences.