Louise Levien1
1Metro North, Redcliffe Hospital , Redcliffe, Australia
The most common model of Recreation Services is a “diversion model” without therapeutic goals embedded and usually delivered in aged care or in sub-acute services. With significant changes in the expectations of delivery in health care, especially around the frail aged population, it was time to review models of care and trial new versions. The current Recreation Service delivered at Redcliffe Hospital has been the result of this review, and the subsequent changes in that model to meet current paradigms in health care has been evaluated and has highlighted the value to not only the consumers but also to the facility across a range of areas including fiscally.
The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how Metro North Hospital Heath Service has begun to “realise the value” of recreational service for inpatients within a hospital setting with one of the main aims of assisting in the prevention of deconditioning during an inpatient stay. It is well known that when patients decondition they become more susceptible to delirium, become at risk of medical complications, have falls resulting in fractures, and sadly often have a higher mortality.
At Redcliffe Hospital the Recreation Services sit under the line management of Occupational Therapy but is considered by the Director to be a separate service with its own referrals. This service is focussed on engaging with consumers to implement valued and meaningful recreational activities which in turn assists in improving health and well-being.
The model of care for this service was evaluated using consumer and clinician surveys and the results have been enlightening and will showcase why this service has had an impact on the use of constant patient observation staff (CPO’s) and has also been used by Executive to help mitigate a “ministerial” through engagement.
In summary the provision of this integrated and holistic Recreation Service within an in-patient hospital setting has proven its value to management, to all clinicians involved in treating patients and most importantly the consumers who have ‘realised the value’.
Biography:
Throughout her working carer Louise has naturally gravitated to a variety of positions through which she has supported and engaged people from many backgrounds to participate in activities and life skills promoting learning, well being and health.This wide-ranging career has enhanced her facilitation and motivation skills; working with soldiers, adults with fitness goals, adults and adolesents with learning disabilities, the elderly in nursing homes, young children and currently with inpatients with in-patients with a range of conditions.