The Over Capacity Protocol is a consultation document developed by RHH clinicians and circulated among THS health professionals for discussion.
Overcapacity protocols are commonly used by large hospitals to manage high demand (enabling rapid movement of patients in the Emergency Department awaiting inpatient beds to move into beds on the wards).
The proposed RHH protocol draws on the experience and protocols of other hospitals around Australia and overseas.
The measures under discussion are for strictly identified patients who are ready for discharge or transfer from the RHH and would only be activated in times of very high demand.
Instead of these patients waiting in beds for completion of their discharge process (e.g. awaiting medicines or a family member to collect them), these well patients are moved out of the beds ensuring the beds become available for sick patients in the Emergency Department.
Ensuring the continuation of high quality, safe care, the patients will be in sight of staff and additionally will have a bell to attract attention in case they need any assistance.
All suggested areas have been identified by staff as being potentially suitable, and broader feedback from the consultation process will further inform this. The use of the term store room in the consultation document refers to a space that has been used for storing equipment but which is in fact a dis-used consulting room complete with ensuite.
As with all care the RHH delivers patient safety and well-being is our priority: these proposed measures are safe and this protocol assists RHH staff to ensure that sick patients in the Emergency Department awaiting inpatient beds are able to move into those beds the moment they are no longer required by patients who have recovered and are ready to leave the RHH.
We would like to reassure the community that staff of the RHH come to work each day determined to provide care of the utmost quality, to deliver that care with the greatest compassion, and to continually seek ways to enhance that care. This protocol has been drafted and released for consultation as a result of that determination and dedication to caring. Should you need to come to the RHH, today, tomorrow or at a future date, you will experience the dedication and caring our staff are known for.