Supporting safer after-hours care in aged care homes

Looking after residents after hours can be challenging. Doctors and extra clinical support aren’t always easy to reach, and nursing teams have to make important decisions about care.

To help, Healthy North Coast has worked with Geriatric Care Australia and local Aged Care Nurse Practitioners to develop the Deteriorating Resident Triage Tool (DRTT).

• A step-by-step guide for Registered Nurses to assess and respond when a resident becomes unwell.
• Based on evidence and best practice, so decisions are consistent and clear.
• Designed to help nurses feel more confident and supported, especially when immediate medical advice isn’t available.

This work is part of the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care’s Enhanced After-Hours Support for Residential Aged Care program. The program aims to make sure residents get the right care, at the right time, in the right place – even when it’s after hours and Healthy North Coast is here to help.

The tool was trialled in local aged care homes and showed improved RN confidence, fewer unnecessary hospital transfers and more consistent clinical decision-making across teams.

The DRTT is now available to all aged care homes in our region. Please use it under the governance of your organisation.

Download the flyer or visit our web page.

HNC also offers free online education modules. These include training on recognising and responding to deterioration, with practical guidance on using the DRRT. Access the modules.

HNC has partnered with Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Tweed Urgent Care Service and the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) Aged Care Outreach Service to build the DRTT into their clinical checklists when assessing residents.

Utilising the DRTT when working with these services creates a consistent approach to assessment and enables key information to be shared when referring to either service. Safer, more coordinated care with stronger communication between RACHs and urgent care providers.

For more information on the Tweed Urgent Care Service, please refer to the flyer or contact:

• Phone: 0459 314 744
• Email: NNSWLHD-tweeducs@health.nsw.gov.au
• Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm, 7 days a week