RDNS trial reduces hospital visits by over 50%

A new health program trialled by the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) of South Australia (SA), in partnership with a major Adelaide hospital and GPs has won a national Australian Business Award for Community Contribution.

The program has produced a stunning result in the first 18 months – reducing unplanned hospital visits by more than 50%.

RDNS chief executive officer, Dale Cleaver, said the Integrated Community Care for Older People Program chose 169 people who had two or more unplanned visits to hospital in the 12 months prior.

“This program has huge potential to take the pressure off hospital Emergency Departments across Australia,” Mr Cleaver said.

“Working with the Queen Elizabeth hospital and the Western Divisions of General Practice, the RDNS dedicated a senior nurse to the client, who developed a specific care plan in consultation with the hospital and a GP.”

“Health professionals involved then accessed an e-health record to keep track of the client’s progress and any changes required in treatment regimes.

“It is intelligence sharing in the health sector, to develop a better outcome for both clients and the taxpayer.

“Imagine the savings to Australian health budget and taxpayers if this kind of program was implemented across the country.”

Findings of the trial, which will be published in the International Journal of Healthcare and Chronic Illness later this year, include:

• Demonstrated success in keeping older people healthy at home, with a more than 50% reduction in unplanned Emergency Department presentations and hospital admissions
• a 37% reduction in total bed days for the ICCOP clients compared to the hospital presentations in the preceding 12 months 
• a saving of 321 hospital bed days during the trial

Many people on the trial had multiple or chronic health care needs, such as a combination of dementia, diabetes and heart disease, something which does happen to a large proportion of the population as they age.

“Health programs such as these are not yet covered by health policy or funding models, despite the recent Federal Government announcements about reforms and funding for the hospital and health sector.

“The need to formalise this kind of program in both policy and practice is urgent if Australia is to respond to the ageing population, particularly with the anticipated peak in person’s aged over 85 years in 2012,” Mr Cleaver said.