Hospital in the home provides an effective, short term, interdisciplinary, comprehensive option of care for patients as an alternative to Hospital.
The model of care supports referring GPs (as the admitting medical officer) by providing an infectious disease specialist phone consultation for parenteral antibiotic therapy (PAT) referrals. Treatment is tailored to the clinical needs of the patient in collaboration with the referring GP. Patients are then reviewed by their GP on day 3 of treatment and in many cases can be stepped-down to oral antibiotics safely.
Conditions that are suitable for referral include Cellulitis, Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) in Adults, Infective Exacerbation of COPD and Urinary Tract Infections that have not responded to oral antibiotics. Suitable patients are sufficiently stable to be managed safely in the community. APAC’s physiotherapist, pharmacist, occupational therapist and Social workers can also provide short, frequent care to patients who have an acute/subacute condition and are at risk of being hospitalised.
Referrals can be made between 7:00am – 10:00pm , every day by phoning 1300 732 503 and faxing the referral to 9887 5518.
For further information and to access the updated referral form via Sydney North HealthPathways, visit Hospital in the Home (HITH) or contact healthpathways@snhn.org.au for access details.