Pilot project to improve discharge

Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) has launched a patient discharge summary project.

The project is aimed at making patient discharge from the hospital to a general practitioner a seamless process.

PHN will fund the Gippsland Health Alliance to undertake the pilot and work with a focus group of general practitioners.

The objective is to design a discharge summary format that is acceptable to general practitioners and fit for purpose as a tool for handing over a patient’s care.

Gippsland PHN chief executive officer Amanda Proposch said the announcement of the partnership was a great outcome for the community and came after discussions between Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH) and chairs of Gippsland PHN’s Clinical Advisory Councils.

“We know the frustration from our doctors when they often discover their patients have had a serious episode that has required hospitalisation and after the patient is discharged, they don’t have all the information to support their ongoing care,” she said.

“We are looking for a new format that clearly communicates the information GPs need to take over the care of patients after they have been discharged from hospitals.

“We all want a safe handover of care and the current system in use can be much better.”

LRH chief executive officer Don McRae said an improved discharge process may lead to better outcomes and recovery times for patients.

“Our team is hoping timely and responsive care in the community will reduce the risk of a patient being readmitted to LRH. This coordinated approach certainly has the potential to do so,” Mr McRae said.

It is hoped the new discharge summary will be implemented by June 30 2023.