A case study on easing an institutional bottleneck in aged care

Abstract

This is a case study about a cross-sector Interim Health Care Strategy (IHCS) developed by a Victorian metropolitan health service in partnership with a private residential facility and a community agency to provide a range of transitional or interim care initiatives for public hospital patients awaiting permanent residential care after completing acute or subacute treatment. The aims were to improve access to emergency and acute inpatient services, while meeting the needs of residential care clients in the metropolitan suburbs. The components included care within a residential care facility, communitybased interim care and a subsequent Extended Rehabilitation Program. This IHCS has shown how a cross-sector initiative can improve care and outcomes of patients awaiting residential care placement. The case study shows how a multifaceted strategy that built upon existing relationships with strong planning, organisational commitment and a facilitating structure was successful in improving care integration.