Funding boost for home hospital research
A Western Australia project will investigate ways to reduce hospitalisation rates for aged care facility residents after being awarded a Department of Health, WA, Targeted Research Fund grant worth $345,769.
The Edith Cowan University (ECU) research project, Better Access to Home Hospital for Residents in Aged Care Facilities, will be led by Professor Moira Sim, ECU’s head of Medical Sciences and Silver Chain Home Hospital medical director.
The project will help to set up advance care plans for residents, which will include options for receiving treatment for acute conditions in aged care facilities instead of hospitals.
Professor Sim says the model will include education for staff of residential aged care facilities, patients and family about alternatives to hospitalisation as well as the development of a process to document patient’s treatment preferences.
“Currently a resident in a residential aged care facility requires an average of three emergency visits every four years,” she says.
“Not only does this place a burden on hospital resources, but many residents and their families would prefer acute care be delivered in the aged care facility.”
The project will investigate how elderly patients can avoid hospitalisation without compromising health outcomes.
Mark Cockayne, Silver Chain general manager, claims home hospitalisation gives patients greater control over their own care.
“This research will establish how the Home Hospital model can be extended to residents in aged care facilities, and we’re pleased to be involved in a project that has the potential to make a long term impact on our health care system and people’s lives.”
