BHS ED Care Coordination

Sherree Mason & Alison Palmer, BHS 13 December 07

The Emergency Care Co-ordination (EDCC) program works with patients, their families and service providers to assist in appropriate and safe discharges home from the BHS Emergency Department.

Emergency Department patients are screened using the following questions:

• Is the patient over 65 years of age?
• If the patient is likely to have self care problems (eg. personal hygiene, mobility, meal preparation, cleaning)?
• Do they use community services?
• Will the patient have problems with transport on discharge?
• Any previous ED presentations in the past month?

If the patient meets any of the above criteria, a comprehensive assessment of the patient will be attended by the EDCC and a discharge plan will be formulated, in conjunction with the treating doctor and nurse within the emergency department.

This may involve internal and external referrals or just ensuring the patient is being discharged home to a safe environment. If it is deemed inappropriate or unsafe to send the patient home, admission to hospital will be required.

All patients seen by the EDCC will be given a pamphlet outlining the services we have referred to on the patient's behalf and the services we recommend that the patient can think about and contact themselves.

The EDCC hours are 8am to 4:30pm 7 days a week, excluding public holidays. EDCCs do not see patients after these hours.

If you have any queries or comments, feel free to make contact with our program on the contact details provided below. We appreciate any feedback throughout the trial, this will help continue for the care of our patients in the Emergency Department.

• Sherree Mason, Alison Palmer
• Emergency Department Care Co-ordinators
• Mobile: 0403 605 295
• Email: enable javascript to see this email address (how?)

This article is available online at http://bddgp.org.au/article/2007/12/ed-coordinator

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