FAQs
How is patient data, outcomes and follow-up recorded and managed?
A bespoke secure software package for the management of the HITH programme has been developed, this package will allow remote access to data for medical and nursing staff for the patient's bedside. This system will enable the provision of accurate reports using the RADS (Remote Access Data System). Up to date security and encryption ensure the confidentiality of all patient information.
Patient information will be uploaded into this system by the HITH nursing teams, this data will then allow other members of the team to asses and manage the care plan more efficiently.
This software will allow reports, patient notes, discharge summaries, and referrals to be generated according to the existing infrastructure of the relevant hospital.
If a patient requires re-assesment at a hospital, what is the procedure?
Data suggests that a percentage (between 4 and 6%) may require re admission to Hospital during while being cared for in the HITH programme. A re-admission protocol will be developed in consultation with the referring hospitals on an individual basis.
How are patients discharged from the service?
Patients will be discharged from the HITH service directly to their General Practitioner:
This discharge will be notified to the Out Patients department of the referring Hospital.To PCCC community based services such as home nursing or home help.
Discharged patients who require ongoing PCCC services will be formally notified by the HITH service to the local Care Co-ordinator via the Local Health Office.
How are patients transported?
As part of the HSE HITH service a dedicated fleet of Patient transport Vehicles is being provided, each referring hospital will have a vehicle attached to its Nursing team with the Nursing teams themselves transporting patients from emergency departments and wards to home. In the event that a patient requires specialised medical transport the usual Ambulances services will be utilised.
Are Medications and equipment provided?
Yes, all medication and equipment are provided by the HITH service. Patients referred from Hospitals will have a care plan agreed in consultation with the referring hospital Physician and initial doses of medication administered before discharge. Patients referred from the General practitioner will usually have their initial doses of medication delivered at the assessment centre.
Do patients remain under the care of the referring Physician?
All patients accepted into the HITH programme are deemed to be under the direct care of the Chief Medical Officer of the HITH service, while the actual care plan and required therapy will initially be the decision and prescription of the referring physician this therapy may be changed by the HITH physician in consultation with the referring Physician. At all times the best clinical interest of the patient is central to the operation of the service. All referring physicians will be readily able to contact the coordinating Nurse through the relevant channels to discuss or monitor patient progress.
Note: Admission of any patient into the HITH service will be notified to their general practitioners/consultant team on their acceptances into the HITH programme.
How are patients referred into the Programme?
Referrals into the programme are accepted via the Team coordinator attached to the Hospital. All relevant staff in the hospital setting will be able to readily contact this individual to discuss any particular patient regarding the HITH service. The coordinator will be contactable by Bleep and or Mobile telephone dependant on the infrastructure of the Hospital. Any specific enquiries regarding a patient referred from a particular hospital will be dealt with by the managing member of the HITH nursing team.
It is envisaged that the following personnel will be able to refer patients to the service via the dedicated coordinator:
- Respiratory & Emergency Consultants
- General practitioners
Note: senior nursing staff may suggest patients for inclusion in the programme but only a managing Physician can refer patients to the programme.
Once contacted, the coordinator will liaise with the relevant staff to process the patient into the service, this will include a “check list” regarding the inclusion and exclusion criteria (see attached) once the patient is deemed suitable for the HITH service by the managing Physician / team, the coordinator will arrange for the transport of the patient from the Hospital to their home for continuation of their treatment.
As this service will be adapted to suit local operating protocols these outlines can and will be adapted to facilitate smooth running and integration of the service on a local level.
A key contributor to the success of the programme is the interface between the HITH teams and the relevant staff of the referring Hospitals. A dedicated process of education and information regarding the service will be implemented at each referring site.