Authors
- Frances Stewart1,
- Karen Thomas1,
- Karen Winchester1,
- Angela Lewis1
- Calvary Health Care Sydney1
2015
Excerpt
INTRODUCTION: The 2012-2016 NSW Health Palliative Care Plan identifies that “most people in Australia say they want to be cared for and die at home”. Timely access to equipment provided by Occupational Therapists is essential to facilitate a home death with safety, comfort & dignity. The aim was to maintain client safety & comfort in the final stages of their lives & to ensure that WHS standards are met for the growing local demand of paid & unpaid carers providing home based care.
METHOD: The process of providing hospital beds, air alternating pressure mattresses & electric recliners to community palliative care clients was reviewed against quality & safety standards. Seven areas of concern were identified & addressed: availability, storage, delivery, maintenance, infection control/cleaning, manual handling risk & cost. Tenders for an external equipment supplier to manage hospital owned equipment with a delivery fee payable by the client resulted in improved solutions for each area of concern.
RESULTS: From April 2014 to April 2015, 90 beds & 26 electric recliners were loaned with improvements in efficiency & effectiveness. An incident & complaint log revealed no major issues despite the equipment being loaned to capacity.
OUTCOME: This model of equipment prescription is sustainable for future growth to meet the rising demand for end of life care at home with minimum disruption to the clients & maximum safety for carers.
METHOD: The process of providing hospital beds, air alternating pressure mattresses & electric recliners to community palliative care clients was reviewed against quality & safety standards. Seven areas of concern were identified & addressed: availability, storage, delivery, maintenance, infection control/cleaning, manual handling risk & cost. Tenders for an external equipment supplier to manage hospital owned equipment with a delivery fee payable by the client resulted in improved solutions for each area of concern.
RESULTS: From April 2014 to April 2015, 90 beds & 26 electric recliners were loaned with improvements in efficiency & effectiveness. An incident & complaint log revealed no major issues despite the equipment being loaned to capacity.
OUTCOME: This model of equipment prescription is sustainable for future growth to meet the rising demand for end of life care at home with minimum disruption to the clients & maximum safety for carers.