Portland District Health Annual Report 2005 - South West Alliance of ...

During the hospital stay there is an ongoing riskassessment of your needs. The doctor or nursing staffcaring for you will monitor your care each day.Portland District Health is able to provide educationrelating to your needs for pain management or yourproposed length of stay.Sub Acute /RehabilitationThe sub-regional rehabilitation program is committedto providing the best possible outcomes for all patientsadmitted to the program. In the past 12 months, fifty(50) patients have been able to access this level of carelocally within the acute hospital setting. The programaims to achieve the maximum level of re-integrationinto the community by:• Timely admission as agreed by the consultantphysician• Effective assessment of needs• Structured care planning and implementation• Discharge from the program being a smooth,seamless transition with an appropriate serviceplan in place.We offer:• Information• An individually tailored program• Appropriate exercises• Home modification advice• Aids and equipment• Communication with general practitioners andspecialistsThe program aims to:• Increase your independence and enable you to domore;• Give you a greater understanding of the physicaland emotional changes associated with yourhealth problems;• Assist you to further develop your skills inmanaging these changes;• Provide support for you and your family inmanaging your condition.Deaths in HospitalDuring 2004 / 2005 there were 103 deaths in thehospital. In some situations of unexpected death orcertain disease processes there is a requirement forthese to be reported to the coroner. Not all deaths thatare reported to the coroner will result in an inquest.In some cases where the death is non reportable,the hospital may, with the relative’s consent, seek apost mortem to assist with the review of the cause ofdeath.Of the 103 deaths that did occur in the hospital, 18were reported to the coroner.18In common with other hospitals, Portland DistrictHealth has a mechanism in place to review deaths toensure that the appropriate care has been given andthat the death has not occurred because of somethingavoidable.In most cases deaths that occur have been expected,resulting from the patient’s age or condition.Some times patients have come in to the hospitalduring the palliative stage of their illness to allow painand discomfort to be better managed.Managing your Health InformationIt is essential that information about you is keptconfidential and only provided to staff involved inyour care. Our staff have education relating to privacyand sign a confidentiality agreement.You may gain access to information about yourtreatment and care. The process for this is governedby the Freedom of Information Act.For the past year there were 39 requests for healthrecords under the FOI Act. 35 of these were grantedin full and one in part. For two requests no documentsexisted and one other request was not proceededwith.How do I make a complaint or give acompliment?The designated Complaints Officer is the DeputyDirector of Nursing.Complaints may also be directed to the HealthServices Commissioner on (03) 86015200 or tollfree 1800 136 066.Avenues for giving a compliment or making acomplaint are not limited to this however. Otheravenues for raising a concern include:• Discuss with the Department or UnitManager• Complete a Department Improvement Form• Complete a Patient Comment Card• Inform the staff making a Discharge Followupphone call.• Written letter or direct contact with the CEO,DONWhen a complaint is received every effort is madeto resolve the issue. Details are reported to thequality committee and a summary is forwarded tothe Health Commissioner.A complaint may be made anonymously, howeverif a name is provided we can provide feedback tothe person on the outcome.