A unique new study is currently underway to assess the benefits of implementing an after-hours nurse practitioner service in Metro North’s residential aged care and sub-acute settings.
A Nurse Practitioner after hours service for sub-acute and residential care study is being delivered by David Bishop, Mary Wheeldon, Sharyn Plath and Catherine Forristal, former Redcliffe Hospital ED Research Manager (not pictured).
The study is being led by two Nurse Practitioners from Redcliffe Hospital and the Community and Oral Health Nursing Director for Service Development.
Community and Oral Health Service Development Nursing Director Mary Wheeldon said each year, around 300 patient transfers occur after hours from Community and Oral Health residential and sub-acute facilities to Metro North Emergency Departments.
“For our bedded services the medical coverage after hours is primarily limited to phone advice and there are no onsite medical staff located within services to treat patients,” Mary said.
“This can cause delays in accessing treatments for symptom relief, emergency care or end-of-life care, and could have an adverse health effect on the patient or resident.
“Unnecessary transfers also have a significant financial and labour burden on our facilities, Emergency Departments and the Queensland Ambulance Service.”
The Evaluation of a Nurse Practitioner after hours service for sub-acute and residential care study started as a Metro North SEED funded project called Eyes on Hands On.
The new Nurse Practitioner research study will evaluate the effectiveness of acute care nurse practitioners covering the after-hours acute care needs of a vulnerable, frail and elderly cohort of patients in a sub-acute and aged care setting in Metro North.
Mary said the study would cover the two Metro North aged care facilities Gannet House and Cooinda House, and community-based transitional and rehabilitation services including Zillmere Residential Transition Care, Brighton Rehabilitation, Interim Care and the Brighton Brain Injury Service.