What is it?

Sometimes hospital patients require a period on-going nursing services but do not need to stay in hospital to receive this care. In some cases, patients can go home on a 'Hospital-in the-Home' program, where the hospital purchases home nursing services from RDNS, called 'fee-for-service', to extend the care required.

Our nursing staff can help you by:

• Monitoring your post operative recovery
• Attending wound care
• Providing intravenous therapy, usually for antibiotics or chemotherapy
• Helping you manage severe pain
• Providing general nursing care

Which staff can help?

All our nurses have skills in general and technical nursing, and are supported by expert nurses known as Clinical Nurse Consultants. These specialist nurses work alongside our general nurses to ensure that your healthcare needs are met.

Client criteria for 'Hospital-in-the-Home' programs

There are certain conditions that need to be met for you to receive 'Hospital-in-the-Home' services (i.e. for complex technical care such as intravenous therapy for antibiotics or chemotherapy, or complex wound care):

• The hospital must provide 24-hour medical backup and a contact phone number, or arrange for your general practitioner to be available to make home visits if required;
• The hospital must be able to re-admit you if problems arise that cannot be managed at home;
• The hospital must provide all 'consumables' (e.g. bandages, syringes etc) required to provide your care;
• You need to have a 24-hour carer available, either living with you or living nearby;
• Your home must have a telephone; and
• Your home environment must be safe for you and our staff.

How can I access this service?

It is the role of the hospital staff caring for you to make all the arrangements for Hospital in the Home services. Plans are usually started several days before discharge, and equipment and medications for the next few days will be sent home with the patient. If you or hospital staff need more information, contact RALLY Healthcare.