April 2005 Edition Of The Shepparton Advisor Monthly Column

DISCHARGE SERVICES

SPH is dedicated to providing all patients not only with high quality care during their time in hospital but also to ensuring that all patients are fully prepared for discharge and supported after discharge if required.

Discharge Planning is the systematic identification and organisation of services and supports to assist the patient to safely transfer from hospital back into the community. To this end Shepparton private Hospital has a coordinated and structured approach to discharge planning.

Discharge Planning is the responsibility of all ward nursing staff, however the recent appointment of Karen Ackland as the hospital’s dedicated Discharge Planner is a further initiative to ensure that all aspects of discharge have been addressed by the time the patient is ready to leave the hospital. Karen is a very experienced Registered Nurse who not only has extensive nursing experience but also has a broad knowledge of the community services available in the Goulburn Valley and surrounding areas.

Discharge Planning usually commences before admission to hospital when the pre- admission nurses identify any patient that may require more focused discharge planning. These patients are referred to Karen as is any other patient (for example, those admitted in emergency circumstances) who after admission is identified as requiring extra assistance to ensure they are fully ready for their return home.

Information and education is provided to the patient and families/carers on all aspects of care that may be required on leaving hospital such as medication management (this is done in conjunction with the hospital pharmacist – Nightingales Pharmacy), wound care and how to resume activities of daily living safely . Patients are also linked to appropriate and available health and community services such as District Nursing, Meals on Wheels, Home Help and Respite services.

To assist Shepparton Private Hospital to evaluate its discharge planning services feed back is obtained from patients and other service providers by a variety of methods. This ensures that we are meeting best practice standards and that patients needs are being met.

Following discharge patients are " encouraged " able to phone the hospital and speak to Karen and in her absence other nursing staff if clarification of post discharge care or further assistance is required.

A Commitment to the Environment

The hospital has recently established a “GREEN TEAM” to assist in meeting the objective of “maintaining a waste management system that is safe, efficient, cost effective and considers environmental issues”. Members of this team come from varied areas of the hospital including nursing, operating theatre, supply and administration.

As part of this initiative a “Green Week” is planned for the period 26th to 29th April to promote more effective resource usage and understanding of the environmental impact of waste. Not only will staff be encouraged to better consider issues such as recycling and sustainability, they will participate in “Dress Green” day and a Green Morning Tea.