Hospital trial pushes for better support for senior Aussies. How can you benefit from it?
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Navigating the healthcare system can be a daunting experience.
This case is especially true for senior community members who require complex care.
In light of the senior community's needs, a groundbreaking pilot program brought a beacon of hope that could improve the efficiency and quality of care for elderly patients.
A pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne embedded a geriatrician within the emergency department (ED).
This move has shown remarkable results during its initial run, halving the number of older patients admitted to hospital beds.
This initiative both improved patient outcomes and saved about 900 acute bed days by diverting almost 150 elderly patients previously planned for admission.
The success of this trial was a testament to the power of specialised care.
Geriatricians are medical doctors who specialise in elderly care and are focused on unique health issues that come with ageing.
These specialists consider the full spectrum of a senior's life, including overlapping illnesses, multiple drug therapies, and their support systems.
One of the hospital's senior patients, Beverley Minogue, was initially queued for hospital admission.
After her knee gave out due to osteoarthritis, she faced the prospect of a lengthy hospital stay.
However, thanks to the Geriatrician in the Emergency Department (GED) service implemented at St Vincent's Hospital, the 85-year-old senior came home with a comprehensive support plan.
This plan included daily visits from nurses, a physiotherapist, and a geriatrician for two weeks.
Minogue was able to manage her condition comfortably at her home.
The GED service goes beyond keeping beds free; it also provides the right care in the right setting.
For many seniors, the hospital setting could be disorienting or detrimental to their recovery.
Previous studies indicated that seniors are at a higher risk of falls, delirium, and confusion when hospitalised compared to recovering at home.
The program first assesses patients in the ED.
If appropriate, the geriatrician sends them home with a tailored care plan.
According to the pilot program's results, there has been no increase in re-admissions for those diverted from hospital stays.
This innovative approach became beneficial for both patients and the healthcare system in general.
With the number of seniors presenting to emergency departments steadily increasing, the challenge to accommodate everyone has been an ongoing issue.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recognised the urgency of the situation and called for a long-term funding agreement to support senior Australians better.
The AMA's Hospital Report Card highlighted that public hospital beds per Australian over 65 have more than halved since the early '90s.
A study in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found that more than half of the older adults seen by the geriatrician service at Monash Medical Centre were directly discharged from emergency, with only a four per cent re-admission rate.
The pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital pushed through thanks to a combination of Victorian government funding, hospital resources, and philanthropic contributions.
Similar programs are also being trialled across the country as they aim to address the health needs of an ageing population.
Innovative solutions like the GED service should be vital in providing tailored elderly care while keeping Australia's healthcare system running.
The AMA urged the incoming government to prioritise the next National Health Reform Agreement, which would increase Commonwealth funding for state-run hospitals and allow flexible funding for home-based programs like the GED.
What do you think of this program? Will you benefit from this program if it pushes through? Share your thoughts and opinions about this initiative in the comments section below!
This case is especially true for senior community members who require complex care.
In light of the senior community's needs, a groundbreaking pilot program brought a beacon of hope that could improve the efficiency and quality of care for elderly patients.
A pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne embedded a geriatrician within the emergency department (ED).
This move has shown remarkable results during its initial run, halving the number of older patients admitted to hospital beds.
This initiative both improved patient outcomes and saved about 900 acute bed days by diverting almost 150 elderly patients previously planned for admission.
The success of this trial was a testament to the power of specialised care.
Seniors previously queued for a hospital stay can now stay at home thanks to a program ran by St Vincent's Hospital. Image Credit: Pexels/Rollz International
Geriatricians are medical doctors who specialise in elderly care and are focused on unique health issues that come with ageing.
These specialists consider the full spectrum of a senior's life, including overlapping illnesses, multiple drug therapies, and their support systems.
One of the hospital's senior patients, Beverley Minogue, was initially queued for hospital admission.
After her knee gave out due to osteoarthritis, she faced the prospect of a lengthy hospital stay.
However, thanks to the Geriatrician in the Emergency Department (GED) service implemented at St Vincent's Hospital, the 85-year-old senior came home with a comprehensive support plan.
This plan included daily visits from nurses, a physiotherapist, and a geriatrician for two weeks.
Minogue was able to manage her condition comfortably at her home.
The GED service goes beyond keeping beds free; it also provides the right care in the right setting.
For many seniors, the hospital setting could be disorienting or detrimental to their recovery.
Previous studies indicated that seniors are at a higher risk of falls, delirium, and confusion when hospitalised compared to recovering at home.
The program first assesses patients in the ED.
If appropriate, the geriatrician sends them home with a tailored care plan.
According to the pilot program's results, there has been no increase in re-admissions for those diverted from hospital stays.
This innovative approach became beneficial for both patients and the healthcare system in general.
With the number of seniors presenting to emergency departments steadily increasing, the challenge to accommodate everyone has been an ongoing issue.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recognised the urgency of the situation and called for a long-term funding agreement to support senior Australians better.
The AMA's Hospital Report Card highlighted that public hospital beds per Australian over 65 have more than halved since the early '90s.
A study in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found that more than half of the older adults seen by the geriatrician service at Monash Medical Centre were directly discharged from emergency, with only a four per cent re-admission rate.
The pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital pushed through thanks to a combination of Victorian government funding, hospital resources, and philanthropic contributions.
Similar programs are also being trialled across the country as they aim to address the health needs of an ageing population.
Innovative solutions like the GED service should be vital in providing tailored elderly care while keeping Australia's healthcare system running.
The AMA urged the incoming government to prioritise the next National Health Reform Agreement, which would increase Commonwealth funding for state-run hospitals and allow flexible funding for home-based programs like the GED.
