PATIENT REHABILITATION CHARTER FOR IN-PATIENTS STAFF ACCOMPANIMENT

PATIENT REHABILITATION CHARTER FOR IN-PATIENTS STAFF ACCOMPANIMENT

The Patient Rehabilitation Charter outlines the rights and responsibilities for consumers of health care services in the Continuing Care sector of Southern Health. This brochure takes the overarching statements from the Patient Rehabilitation Charter and outlines ways in which staff can practise in order to apply the principles. The services we provide follow a model of care that is patient-centred. Patient-centred practice is a partnership between the patient and the clinicians in the treating team that enables individually tailored assessments, interventions and evaluations. In addition, it acknowledges the need to respect and take note of the patient's individual values and choices. Patients, and their carers when appropriate, are asked to fully participate in their rehabilitation program, making informed decisions with staff regarding goals and plans for discharge from the in-patient phase of their care. Through involving the patient in his or her own care, staff can understand and address issues that are central to a patient's recovery, which in turn promotes health independence. The material contained in the Patient Rehabilitation Charter and this accompanying version for staff is underpinned by certain models of care. These are: the World Health Organisation's International Classification for Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), the principles of Rehabilitation Medicine, client-centred practice, and the Department of Human Services' policy context in Improving Care for Older Persons and creating Centres for Promoting Health Independence. Material relating to these models is available to all staff. Familiarity with these models will help you to enshrine the principles contained in the Patient Rehabilitation Charter in our practice.

Patients have a right to: 1. a wide range of rehabilitation services and relevant information about the staff who will provide their care. Staff will endeavour to be familiar with the services offered throughout Continuing Care and to provide this information to patients when applicable. A ward staff member will ensure patients have received the information folder. Patients will be encouraged by staff to be as independent as possible throughout their hospital stay, including getting dressed in day clothes, eating meals in the dining room, taking themselves to therapy sessions wherever possible, and making informed decisions. Staff will identify themselves and wear Southern Health photo-identification badges. Students will also wear clear identification badges. Continuing Care staff based in acute facilities who provide a patient's first contact with our service will introduce themselves and provide an information brochure. A Key Liaison Person (KLP) will be appointed within one business day of admission to rehabilitation. The role of the KLP may be summarised as the main communication channel between the patient and their family, and the team. 2....a high standard of health care based on patient needs and personal preferences. Staff have a responsibility to undertake professional development activities relevant to the needs of their work and/or profession. All staff, including those who have direct patient contact and those who do not, should strive to achieve a high standard of practice, so that the service we provide to patients is of a high quality and constantly addresses the needs of the patient. The evidence base for all clinical practice should be constantly evaluated and implemented where possible. Communication with our patients and their carers where appropriate, is paramount. There will be a team meeting once each week, and a subsequent review meeting. The Key Liaison Person will act as a communication channel for these meetings to ensure involvement of the patient and their family. Students should be closely supervised. Patients should not be fatigued or excessively visited by students. Students should also uphold the standards of patient contact contained in the Patient Rehabilitation Charter.

3....participate in making decisions about their treatment, care and discharge from hospital or out-patient services. Provision of information regarding timelines and discharge plans. Patients should be fully informed regarding transfer from the acute to the rehabilitation facility. Patients require detailed and clear information about treatment options. Staff will ensure that information is presented in a form that enables the patient to fully comprehend the content e.g. written, spoken, interpreter. All staff, but in particular the Key Liaison Person, are responsible for ascertaining that the patient, and family where appropriate, have sufficient information and comprehension of the details to enable them to make decisions. Staff must respect a patient's right to choice and to refuse treatment options, without responding negatively. Staff will be knowledgeable about the procedures surrounding patient risk management and decision-making capacity. Patients will be encouraged to be actively involved in decision-making. Family will be encouraged to be involved and to attend therapy sessions where appropriate. 4....provision of a clean, safe and comfortable environment. Comfort relates to many aspects of the hospital environment. For example, provision of appropriate equipment, timely answering of call bells, a neat and organised environment are some ways comfort and safety can be provided. While the physical environment may not always be ideal, staff should endeavour to assess possibilities for maximising patient safety and comfort While keeping rehabilitation goals in mind and encouraging independence, patients will be given a choice regarding their eating environment. 5....information about health promotion and preventive strategies to maximise their wellbeing. Health promotion issues should be openly discussed during a patient's stay. e.g. smoking, exercise, food intake, adequate exposure to sunlight. Relevant brochures and other information may be provided. Prevention of functional decline should be seen as a primary goal for all Aged Care patients with appropriate programs in place in all wards.

6. access to a second rehabilitation opinion if desired. Staff should refer to policy and procedures regarding second opinions. Staff should support a patient's right to a second opinion without responding negatively or taking the request personally. Full and frank discussions regarding the content of the second opinion should be held with the patient and their family if appropriate. 7.. to have their personal and health information kept private and confidential. They may also have access to you health records as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act. Staff are referred to the Southern Health Staff Handbook. Confidential patient/client information should not be discussed with or disclosed to any unauthorised person within or outside Southern Health. Staff should be mindful of information that is written onto whiteboards or displayed by a person's bed. In environments that do not lend themselves to providing privacy of discussions between staff and/or with clients, staff should be mindful of the content of discussions, and make every effort to delay and/or move location if the level of privacy is inadequate. The Southern Health Staff Handbook refers to access by families to patient information. In general, anyone other than immediate family requires consent from the patient to be privy to patient information. Freedom of Information Act procedures are described in the Southern Health Rights and Responsibilities brochure. 8....treatment with respect, dignity and consideration for privacy. Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself. When discussing patients and their family/caregivers, staff will be objective and nonjudgemental in their language and manner. Patients will be examined and interviewed in as private a location as possible Patients' decisions and choices of treatment are to be respected. It is our responsibility to fully inform our patients and assist them to make their own choice. Client-centredness recognises that differences in values and opinions will occur.. Intervention based on clients' visions and values demonstrates a respect for the diversity of values that clients hold.

9..appropriate care regardless of age, gender, religion or culture. Effort must be made to make patients feel comfortable and cared for while residing in the hospital environment. Staff will make themselves aware of the cultural background of people in their care. Food coordinators are able to liaise with patients and their families regarding providing appropriate meals. Staff will be mindful of culturally sensitive requirements. e.g. if possible, patients should be able to choose a male or female health care provider, or request an escort at times. Therapy times may need to be scheduled around cultural practices if possible. Interpreter services should be used to maximise communication with patients and families for whom English is a second language. 10..information on steps we take to improve the quality of care. All staff are expected to be involved in Quality Improvement Activities. Education regarding various aspects of providing customer service is available though Human Resources and forms part of the Continuing Care orientation program. All staff participate in the Building Positive Performance appraisal system that addresses on-going areas specific to your department. All staff have a responsibility to undertake development activities to ensure best practice and a standard of health care of which we can all be proud. Patient responsibilities: The Patient Rehabilitation Charter lists some responsibilities patients should endeavour to fulfil in order to maximise the outcome of their rehabilitation. Staff should be familiar with these and assist patients in understanding their own role in the rehabilitation program.