The RBWH Hepatology team recently launched a new rapid access service, the Coordinated Access to Timely Cirrhosis Healthcare (CATCH) program.

The program is a consultant-led rapid access clinical service that accommodates patients with cirrhosis who need urgent specialist care to avoid unplanned hospital admission. This includes cirrhotic patients with acute deterioration in their condition, recently discharged patients who are at high risk of re-admission, and those with recurrent ascites requiring large volume paracentesis (LVP) to avoid unplanned Emergency Department admission for subsequent LVP. The team is led by RBWH Staff Hepatologist Dr Richard Skoien who is responsible for reviewing patients in clinic and overseeing the initiative and its outcomes. Specialist Hepatology Clinical Nurse Melanie Halford is primarily responsible for the day-to-day running of the CATCH program, reviewing patients in a post-discharge hepatology step-down clinic, and coordinating timely access to services to ensure patient-centred care is delivered.

Dr Richard Skoien said the team are excited to deliver specialist care to those in greatest need and at a time when it is most needed, and doing it in a way that contributes to greater overall efficiency of healthcare delivery across the hospital.

“We hope through successful delivery of the service, we are able to improve the patient experience and reduce morbidity and length of stay,” Dr Skoien said.

“The program also aims to reduce hospital congestion by directing care away from the busy Emergency Department and reducing the overall burden on the hospital by reducing hepatology inpatient bed days, thereby improving the quality of care to all patients at the RBWH.”