Mrs J

Enabling hospital discharge

The challenge

Mrs J had been in hospital since 1st June 2018 following a fall. Her family felt care visits would not be enough to keep her safe at home. A social worker contacted Telecare Cardiff to find out if technology could help Mrs J to return home.

What we did

Telecare Cardiff attended a discharge meeting at the hospital, along with clinical staff, social workers, occupational therapists and the domiciliary care manager. They discussed how Mrs J could be enabled to return home. The main area of concern related to the safe transfer of Mrs J from her bed in the morning, to the chair during the day, and then back to the bed at night. There was an assumption that Mrs J could fall during the day or night, and would not have the presence of mind to raise an alert if required.

Telecare Cardiff suggested that a system was installed that included a Lifeline home unit linked to a virtual bed occupancy sensor and a virtual chair occupancy sensor. If Mrs J was to the leave either the bed or the chair, then a countdown timer of 30 minutes would commence. Once 30 minutes had elapsed, if Mrs J had failed to return safely to either the bed or the chair, an alarm would be raised at Telecare Cardiff’s Control Centre. The Control Centre Operator would then dispatch a Mobile Warden to assist Mrs J, typically within 20 minutes.

Results

The system was installed in November 2018, and there have not yet been any emergency calls. Mrs J was in hospital for 176 days, at a cost to the NHS of approximately £70,000. Using telecare as part of her support to enable her to come home will save the NHS £12,000 per month, and Mrs J feels much happier now she is at home.

Prior to my hospital discharge, I recognised that should an incident/fall happen again at home I could not depend on family members to respond at all times due to their own work and family commitments. I also realised that I may not always be able to reach a telephone. The solution you provided is invaluable to me. Following such a long spell in hospital, I am extremely grateful that I can remain at home in comfort and peace, as opposed to spending my twilight years in a care home. Mrs J