Patient And Carer Information
Welcome to the Hospital in the Home Program (HITH). This program provides an alternative to in-hospital care, providing selected patients with the opportunity to be discharged from hospital earlier or be totally cared for in their own home.
Patients are eligible if program entry is agreed to by their treating medical officer and they meet the HITH criteria.
A Registered Nurse will evaluate, plan and manage your home care under the direction from your Doctor and GP to provide continuity from hospital to home.
You will be cared for by fully qualified professionals as you normally would in the hospital environment.
Other members of the health care team may also visit you, such as Physiotherapists and Dieticians.
All staff wear identification badges which display their name and position.
Hospital in the Home provides care in a familiar comfortable environment surrounded by family, friends, pets and familiar objects.
Your care at home is completely voluntary, allowing access to health and lifestyle decisions and an opportunity to make choices.
IMPORTANT
- Please ensure your home has adequate lighting at night.
- No smoking in the home while the visiting nurse is present.
- Ensure your home is clearly numbered.
- Ensure your pets are restrained while the nurse is visiting, both outside and inside your home.
- Provide a safe environment for care to be attended.
- Please provide hand washing facilities, a clean towel and a bag for rubbish.
- Notify Wodonga Regional Health Service if a scheduled visit needs to be changed.
- Notify Wodonga Regional Health Service of any changes in your condition.
Benefits of Home Care
- There will be no cost to you for the services provided while in the program.
- You have the right to refuse any service or withdraw from the program.
- When your condition is such that the acute phase of your illness is over, you will be discharged from the program, and other community services may be required for any follow up care.
- Decreases the risk of infection.
- Less disruption to lifestyle pattern.
- Less traumatic transition to home.
- Specialists will treat and prescribe your required care, and your GP will continue to be involved in your Medical treatment at home.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Hospital care should be given on the basis of need, without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, religion diagnosis or whether or not health insurance is obtained.
As a hospital patient you have a right to a range of medical and nursing measures including attention to your physical comfort and relief of your pain.
Your hospital will be able to provide you with all the information you need to understand what is happening to you and treat you with dignity, feeling and respect for your cultural needs.
Your hospital will ensure confidentiality of your medical records and sufficient privacy when you are interviewed or examined by doctors or nurses.
You should be told in a manner you understand, about your medical problems, the options for treatment, including risks.
This information should be presented to you at least once during admission, more frequently if conditions change significantly, and your agreement prior to any procedure should be obtained (except in extreme emergencies).
It is your right to seek a second opinion on any proposed treatment.
Public hospitals have a duty to train students. If you do not want students to study your condition please notify the staff.
Should you decide to leave the program against Doctor's advice you are legally entitled to do so. You should be advised of the possible/potential harm to yourself or others of such a decision before you sign your discharge.
Public hospitals are involved in research projects, and you have a right to say no to any involvement. If you decide to be involved, a full explanation must be received.
If you have any complaint or concern about your treatment, it should be handled promptly, courteously and without prejudice.
The Hospital in the Home staff can terminate services if the health and safety of both the staff and/or patient are compromised.
To follow instructions given by your doctor or nursing staff for safe administration of therapy.
To participate in decisions regarding your care.
To notify the staff if you have any changes in your medication or physical condition.
To care for any equipment and store carefully in the home, and notify the nursing staff of any problems with the equipment.
Respect the individual work and dignity of the nursing staff.
Tell your visiting nurse if you have any concerns or comments about the service we provide.
Contact Procedure
In the event of anything worrying you, for example increased pain, decreased mobility or fever, please contact:
- HITH Office 02 6051 7335
- HITH Mobile 0417 480 919
- Wodonga Regional Health Service 02 6051 7111
After Hours - Phone: The Nursing Supervisor 02 6051 7595
Or Present to the Emergency Department
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY PHONE 000
