Aged Care HARP, Residential Aged Care Across Sectors Program (RACAS)

In 2003, the Residential Aged Care Across Sectors (RACAS) program undertook a detailed examination of the processes involved in transfer to and from the acute sector and identified improvements that would assist residents care and decrease avoidable hospital admissions. A manual of pathways, protocols and tools was developed but funding did not allow for widespread distribution of these materials or education of the staff in aged care facilities (ACFs).

Emergency Department Care Coordination across Eastern Health identified that referrals were being received from facilities with either inappropriate or no documented information on the resident. In addition inappropriate presentations to the emergency departments were frequently being received. As a result of this identified need for change and the lack of knowledge around the RACAS tools, the Aged Care HARP, RACAS program was commenced - see Evaluation (64kb)

Division across Eastern Region (Inner East Melbourne, Knox, Eastern Ranges and Whitehorse Divisions) are promoting the use of the Hospital Transfer Form that was used by the RACS Program in 05/06. The Hospital Transfer Form accompanies the medication chart on the Resident's presentation to ED. A key feature of the form which was requested by the hospitals and facilities is the service capability statement which includes an explanation of the level of care the resident is going back to; eg RN Div 1 supervisor day shift only, all other care by PCAs. Angliss, Maroondah and Box Hill Hospitals are now aware to look for the Transit form upon transfer of a Resident to a hospital, which has enhanced communication processes between them and the Facilities.

.