Delayed Discharges

1. Delayed Discharges
Tina FitzGerald,
Bed Manager ULHG

2. Background:
40 delayed discharges in ULHG in January 2015.
Reduced to 12 in group within a month– this figure has been maintained
at an average of 10/12 delayed discharges in the group.
How?
1. Acute & Community focus on each individual delayed discharge.
2. Transitional Funding.

3. Acute & Community Focus on each individual Delayed
Discharge:
• Database compiled and shared with community – all hospitals in ULHG included.
• Updated on a daily basis Mon – Friday.
• Daily teleconference between ULHG & CHO– each patient discussed – potential
solutions discussed, and implemented if feasible.
• Flexibility from the community with regard to the designation of community beds
– beds were used regardless of their designation if it facilitated discharge from the
acute hospital.
• Home Help & Home Care Packages – prioritised for patients in the acute hospital
to facilitate discharge.
• Aids & Appliances – applications from patients in the acute hospital prioritised in
order to facilitate discharge home.

4. Transitional Funding:
1. Bridging payment for those waiting release of Fairdeal Funding:
Criteria:
• Passed at LPF or CSARs signed by a geriatrician.
• Financial application received by NHSS Office and adequate
information submitted.
2. Short Term Funding – up to a maximum of four weeks per applicant.
• Facilitates step down care from the acute hospital leading to earlier
discharge.
• Facilitates time to organise HCP/Equipment etc.

5. HOSPITAL NO. OF REQUESTS
PROCESSED IN RESPECT
OF FAIR DEAL APPLICANTS
NO. OF
CONVALESCENT CARE
REQUESTS PROCESSED
TOTAL NO. OF REQUESTS
PROCESSED
UHL 95 298 393
ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL 56 83 139
NENAGH GENERAL 35 47 82
ENNIS GENERAL 24 03 27
CROOM ORTHOPAEDIC
HOSPITAL
03 13 16
ST. CAMILLUS HOSPITAL 15 02 17
ST. JOSEPHS HOSPITAL ENNIS 02 0 02
ST. ITA’S HOSPITAL 04 0 04
TOTALS 234 446 680
TRANSITIONAL CARE FUNDING REQUESTS PROCESSED IN LIMERICK/MID WEST NHSSO FROM
6TH JANUARY, 2015 TO 25TH SEPTEMBER, 2015.

6. Working with Community Discharge Co-ordinator ADON
On site UHL
Attends
patient flow
meetings –
Nav Hub
Accepts
referrals
from Patient
Flow
Manager and
CNMs
Reviews
patients for
LTC
Direct link
with CHO:
CIT and PHN

7. Thank you
Tina.fitzgerald1@hse.ie