An emergency department tackles bed management and home-based care

Abstract

Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department played a vital role in the Post AcuteTreatment in the Home Program (PATH) of West Moreton District Health Service.PATH used two strategies to reduce the district reliance on acute hospital beds: a short-stayunit for rapid assessment, treatment and early discharge of patients with simpleconditions; and a hospital-in-the-home program utilising community health servicesto treat acute conditions.The program enhanced existing services to create a new treatment stream for acutepatients and to promote a cultural shift from fragmented care to district responsibilityfor total episode of patient care.