20 September 2022
A state-wide SA Health team is helping to reduce the strain on Adelaide emergency departments and potentially slash waiting times for patients requiring urgent attention.
SA Virtual Care Service’s clinical team at Tonsley provides clinical assessment and consultation via a video link (smart phone or tablet) in partnership with SA Ambulance Service, regional hospitals and selected Aged Care Facility staff who are with a patient.
The team is comprised of senior medical, nursing and paramedic staff who provide consultation directly to patients in the comfort of their home, often in conjunction with clinical teams in the community.
Importantly, the clinical expertise traditionally available only in the physical ED’s is now available virtually, with all the medical and nursing staff having significant experience with emergency departments and hospitals – many still working a combination of physical and virtual work.
The medical workforce is largely made up of consultant emergency and general physicians and the Nursing staff range from RN2-5 – meaning patients receive early, senior clinical decision making, in partnership with SAAS and regional clinicians.
The service’s Executive Director David Morris said 75 per cent of all referrals are receiving the care they need outside of the physical Emergency Department – one of the highest success rates for similar services in Australia.
“These are patients that have called triple zero that would otherwise be going to an emergency department,” Mr Morris said.
“They are able to get a combination of a senior nurse, a senior paramedic and a senior doctor assess them at home, in their regional residential care facility or in a country hospital as well.
“You are getting senior people up front with this model so we can do a virtual emergency consult within 30-40 minutes that might take many hours in an ED.”
SA Virtual Care Service Nursing Director Darren Daff said patients are embracing the service.
“We get a lot of positive experiences with our patients during their consultations,” Mr Daff said.
“The comments are very frequently ‘supportive, friendly and helpful team who make them feel safe.”
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM and Exec. Director, Operations Rob Bonner toured the SA Virtual Care Service last week.
Ms Dabars said virtual care sector was only going to grow in the future.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with SA Virtual Care Service SA as there is so much potential in this space,” she said.
“Any initiative that reduces strain on Emergency Departments and allows more Australians to receive treatment at home should be welcomed and supported.”