1. RAPID RESPONSE TEAM NEWPORT Service Provision and Referral Criteria

2. Where are we? The Rapid Response Team (R.R.T) is part of the Intermediate Care Team based at St Woolos Hospital, Stow Hill, Newport. The Rapid Response Team (R.R.T) is part of the Intermediate Care Team based at St Woolos Hospital, Stow Hill, Newport. The R.R.T consists of five nurses with various medical backgrounds, both acute and chronic. We have been fortunate enough to have integrated with a larger team that together can offer the patient/client both health and social care. The R.R.T consists of five nurses with various medical backgrounds, both acute and chronic. We have been fortunate enough to have integrated with a larger team that together can offer the patient/client both health and social care.

3. Hours of Work 8am-8pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays. 8am-8pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays. Pager-07699611685.Or through the hospital switchboard on 01633/234234. Pager-07699611685.Or through the hospital switchboard on 01633/234234. We cover all of the Newport G.P practices.

4. Aim of Service The aims of the R.R.T is to provide a proactive, dynamic, skilled ‘Hospital at Home’ nursing service using evidence based practice, for patients with non-life threatening, acute and chronic conditions. The aims of the R.R.T is to provide a proactive, dynamic, skilled ‘Hospital at Home’ nursing service using evidence based practice, for patients with non-life threatening, acute and chronic conditions. Where possible we aim to prevent hospital admissions and facilitate safe early discharge. Where possible we aim to prevent hospital admissions and facilitate safe early discharge. We work in partnership with the patient in planning and implementing their treatment thus enabling them to facilitate their own self care. We work in partnership with the patient in planning and implementing their treatment thus enabling them to facilitate their own self care.

5. Who can refer? The R.R.T will accept referrals from any member of the multidisciplinary team, once the patient has had a full clinical assessment by either their G.P or the medical team within the hospital, responsible for that patient. The R.R.T will accept referrals from any member of the multidisciplinary team, once the patient has had a full clinical assessment by either their G.P or the medical team within the hospital, responsible for that patient. A member of the R.R.T will assess the patients suitability for acceptance to the caseload. The initial assessment of the patient, where possible, should be performed within 90 minutes. A member of the R.R.T will assess the patients suitability for acceptance to the caseload. The initial assessment of the patient, where possible, should be performed within 90 minutes. This involves a full nursing assessment of the patient, to establish their individual needs and identify any potential problems: e.g. social care needs. This involves a full nursing assessment of the patient, to establish their individual needs and identify any potential problems: e.g. social care needs.

6. What does Rapid Response offer? Intravenous Therapy via: Intravenous Therapy via: Peripheral Cannula Peripheral Cannula Picc Line Picc Line Hickman Line Hickman Line Aphaeresis Line Aphaeresis Line Mid Lines. Mid Lines. Therapy may consist of antibiotics, fluids or a combination of both. Therapy may consist of antibiotics, fluids or a combination of both.

7. The introduction of a C.O.P.D Homecare scheme led by Dr Flood-Page Consultant Chest Physician, enables patients who have been admitted and have been hospitalised for at least 12 hours the opportunity to be cared for in their own homes. The introduction of a C.O.P.D Homecare scheme led by Dr Flood-Page Consultant Chest Physician, enables patients who have been admitted and have been hospitalised for at least 12 hours the opportunity to be cared for in their own homes. The in taking team will be responsible for assessing the patient and once deemed medically fit, using the appropriate criteria will be referred to R.R.T. The in taking team will be responsible for assessing the patient and once deemed medically fit, using the appropriate criteria will be referred to R.R.T. Each patient will be discharged with a rescue medication pack. All patients will have an individual care plan, follow up appointment and will be discussed on a weekly basis at the multi-disciplinary meeting. Each patient will be discharged with a rescue medication pack. All patients will have an individual care plan, follow up appointment and will be discussed on a weekly basis at the multi-disciplinary meeting. Patients will be referred to Long Term Condition Nurses on admission to R.R.T caseload Patients will be referred to Long Term Condition Nurses on admission to R.R.T caseload

8. Management of patients during acute exacerbations of chronic disease, e.g. C.O.P.D, and M.S. This incorporates, support, advice, medication management and liasing with other multi-disciplinary team members, such as Long Term Condition nurses. Management of patients during acute exacerbations of chronic disease, e.g. C.O.P.D, and M.S. This incorporates, support, advice, medication management and liasing with other multi-disciplinary team members, such as Long Term Condition nurses.

9. We can offer patients, social care for up to a week from P.A.T.H (Prevention of Admission To Hospital). Also, short term physiotherapy and occupational therapy can be accessed through R.R.T, using Reablement. Both services are part of the Intermediate Care Team. We can offer patients, social care for up to a week from P.A.T.H (Prevention of Admission To Hospital). Also, short term physiotherapy and occupational therapy can be accessed through R.R.T, using Reablement. Both services are part of the Intermediate Care Team.

10. V.A.C therapy can be an alternative wound dressing and can be performed by the team either separately or with a combination of Intravenous Antibiotics. V.A.C therapy can be an alternative wound dressing and can be performed by the team either separately or with a combination of Intravenous Antibiotics. Patients who suffer from either intolerance, or are unresponsive to oral Iron can be offered Intravenous Venofer (Iron). As with all therapies it is tailored to each patients individual needs. Patients who suffer from either intolerance, or are unresponsive to oral Iron can be offered Intravenous Venofer (Iron). As with all therapies it is tailored to each patients individual needs. We all undertake both male and female catheterisation, including urethral and suprapubic catheters We all undertake both male and female catheterisation, including urethral and suprapubic catheters

11. Important Points to Remember 1 Please check that there is availability on the caseload. Occasionally the caseload has been closed due to the number of patients. It can be distressing for the patient and relatives to be told that they are to be discharged only to find that we are unable to accommodate them. 1 Please check that there is availability on the caseload. Occasionally the caseload has been closed due to the number of patients. It can be distressing for the patient and relatives to be told that they are to be discharged only to find that we are unable to accommodate them. 2 No drugs will be administered to any patient who does not have a medication chart. As part of the discharge process it is the responsibility of the ward/unit to ensure that all the appropriate documentation e.g. prescription chart, follow-up appointments, is given to the patient prior to discharge. It is not the responsibility of the R.R.T to collect these. 2 No drugs will be administered to any patient who does not have a medication chart. As part of the discharge process it is the responsibility of the ward/unit to ensure that all the appropriate documentation e.g. prescription chart, follow-up appointments, is given to the patient prior to discharge. It is not the responsibility of the R.R.T to collect these.

12. 3 All medication must be given to the patient prior to discharge as, it is against Trust policy for nurses to carry drugs in their vehicles, with the exception of Adrenaline. 3 All medication must be given to the patient prior to discharge as, it is against Trust policy for nurses to carry drugs in their vehicles, with the exception of Adrenaline. 4 If a patient requires dressings please ensure they are prescribed the appropriate amount for their individual needs, until they can contact their G.P. (This normally takes approximately, 2- 3 days). 4 If a patient requires dressings please ensure they are prescribed the appropriate amount for their individual needs, until they can contact their G.P. (This normally takes approximately, 2- 3 days).

13. Thank You The Rapid Response team takes this opportunity to thank you for giving us your time and hopefully future support. The Rapid Response team takes this opportunity to thank you for giving us your time and hopefully future support. If at any time you feel unsure of what to refer or whether we would accept a referral please phone and we will discuss it with you. If at any time you feel unsure of what to refer or whether we would accept a referral please phone and we will discuss it with you. It may be new to us, but we are always looking at ways in which we can expand the service. It may be new to us, but we are always looking at ways in which we can expand the service.