Heading home from hospital post-surgery has become a far more confident experience for rural and regional patients, thanks to the launch of the Post-operative Discharge Support Service (PODSS).
Managed from the Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Bundaberg hospitals, the service offers patients quick access to specialist nursing advice and reassurance as they continue their recovery at home.
This in turn reduces unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department (ED) and prevents avoidable readmissions by identifying post-operative complications early.
The service is set up to provide support 30 days post-discharge for patients who have had orthopaedic, gastroenterology, gynaecological, obstetrics and general surgery.
Clinical Nurse Consultant Nicola Andrew said since the service opened in February this year, PODSS has had over 500 patient encounters, mostly related to wound concerns. The nurses managed 85% of those which has reduced the number of people presenting to emergency, and it has eased the workload for surgeons.
“Our team has experienced surgical clinical nurse consultants and clinical nurses who are skilled in triage, assessment, patient management, and knowing when treatment needs to be escalated to further medical care if required,” she said.
“It’s reassuring for patients to know we’re just a phone call away and in many cases we’ve not only reduced ED attendance post-surgery but through rapid community support services, there have been instances where we’ve decreased the risk of falls so patients could safely continue recovery at home.
“We’ve also helped family members who are unsure whether they’re providing the right care, especially if they’re performing daily wound dressings.”
For patient Michael, the service he received post-surgery was extremely reassuring after returning home.
“The staff were there if I had any questions and assisted me with arranging physio and aids to help me get about,” he said.
“I had some complications with an infection in the wound on my leg and they got me to take photos for them to see the wound and show the doctor if they were concerned.
“They arranged for me to return to see the doctor earlier than I would have, and I had the dressings changed.
“It’s a good service. Nothing was too much trouble, they were there when I needed them and were very helpful.”
PODSS is accessible weekdays through a dedicated patient phone line provided on discharge from hospital with an after-hours process covered for weekends.