Contact the team
Call 01752 857 409 or the Bodmin switchboard on 01208 251 300
East Acute Care at Home team
The Acute Care at Home service provides advanced nursing care and support to patients in their own homes. The aim is to prevent an admission or support an early discharge from hospital.
The Acute Care at Home service are a team of highly qualified, experienced nurses who can provide advanced assessment skills and treatment to patients in their own homes. This will avoid a patient being admitted to an acute setting.
We can provide treatment up to twice daily.
The service operates from 8am to 8.30pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
We accept referrals from:
- acute and community hospitals
- other community professionals such as:
- acute GP service and ambulatory care
- out of hours service
- community matrons
- community nurses
- Home First team
- other allied health professionals
The GP should have assessed community patients within 24 hours of referral and be prepared to maintain medical responsibility throughout the patient’s treatment, or, in the case of out of hours, until the patient’s own GP is available.
Advantages and limitations of the service
Advantages of using the service for the patient
- Patient’s recovery rate is improved by being in their own environment particularly the elderly and confused.
- More cost effective.
- Patient satisfaction.
- Social support networks are maintained.
- Rapid commencement of treatment.
Advantages of using the service for the GP
- More cost effective.
- Team will liaise with other services such as home first and community matrons, to ensure a seamless journey for the patient.
Limitations of using the service
The patient must:
- be agreeable to staying at home
- be over 18 years old
- have access to a telephone
Referral procedure
General information for referrers
Ensure the patient meets the criteria below. Contact us with any queries.
A nurse will visit the patient to undertake a full and complete assessment either in the hospital prior to discharge, or in their own home if referred via GP.
Throughout the patient’s treatment the team will liaise with you about any changes or concerns.
Community
Refer direct to acute care at home east co-ordinator on 01752 857 409 or call the Bodmin switchboard on 01208 251 300. Then ask to speak to co-ordinator for acute care at home east to discuss plan of care.
Complete acute care at home community drug chart if required and email the Acute Care at Home East team along with the patient profile. No FP10 is needed.
We would aim to begin intervention on the day of referral and once in receipt of the above documentation.
Acute hospital
Refer direct to acute care at home east co-ordinator on 01752 857 409 or call the Bodmin switchboard on 01208 251 300. Then ask to speak to the co-ordinator for acute care at home east to discuss plan of care.
Complete a drug chart if required and email the East Acute Care at Home team with discharge letter if available.
Medications, diluents and flushes should be prescribed and provided by hospital.
Types of condition that can be managed by the team include:
- chest conditions such as COPD, chest infections, pneumonia
- cardiac monitoring such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure or IV diuretics for heart failure
- intravenous fluid replacement (bolus), subcutaneous fluid replacement
- cellulitis
- short term provision of nebuliser therapy for exacerbation of respiratory complaints
- postoperative infections
- treatment of post-operative patients requiring IV antibiotic therapy
- sepsis screening, full set of observations at each visit
The team can provide intensive nursing support at home including:
- cardiovascular and respiratory examination
- IV therapy, including antibiotics, anti-emetics and diuretics
- management of midlines, peripherally inserted central catheter and implanted ports
- cannulation and phlebotomy
- blood sampling where results may be required urgently in order to guide or instigate a particular treatment plan