Hospital in the Home helps Phillip

Heatley man Phillip Obah has had four heart attacks, has diabetes, kidney disease and cataracts but a hospital program focussed on caring for people at home has allowed him to be cared for at home surrounded by his family.

Phillip was diagnosed with a blood stream infection recently which in most circumstances would have required a hospital admission had it not been for the Hospital in the Home program.

“My life has been a revolving door of going in and out of hospital these past few years, so I really didn’t want another hospital stay,” he said.

“I needed antibiotics through a drip for two weeks so when I was told this could be done at home I was jumping for joy.

“Home is a place of healing for me so to be there while I recovered made a big difference to my wellness.”

Hospital in the Home senior medical officer Dr Zafar Smith said the inpatient hospital team referred Phillip to the service at which point they took over his medical care.

“The biggest benefit of this kind of care is that people like Phillip get hospital-level care in their own environment,” he said.

“Phillip gets a nurse visit him every day to change his dressing and check his anti-biotics and monitor his condition.

“This allows him to call the shots a bit more; he can get outside for fresh air easily and visitors can stay as long as he likes without being restricted by the hospital routine.”

Phillip said being cared for through Hospital in the Home had relieved a lot of stress and pressure for him.

“At home I have my grandkids surrounding me which just isn’t possible on a hospital ward,” he said.

“I do think the antibiotics are working but then I also wonder if the fact that I’m at home is actually helping me to feel better too.
“The whole experience has really lifted my spirits.”

Dr Smith said eligible patients could access Hospital in the Home by talking to their nurse or doctor on the ward or in the emergency department or asking their GP.

“Obviously some people require hospital-level care in a hospital but for some people who require basic care such as intravenous antibiotics through a drip, it is possible to have this at home,” he said.

“People who require blood thinning injections until their tablets take effect, people with heart failure who can get their medicine through a drip or women needing fluids through a drip for hyperemesis during pregnancy could all potentially have this at home.

“People aged 12 and above can have access to Hospital in the Home and what we want people to do is ask their doctor if they are eligible.

“Asking the question is the first step to potentially receiving your treatment in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.”

More information

For more information visit http://hiyh.com.au/

Eligible patients can access Hospital in the Home by talking to their nurse or doctor on the ward or in the emergency department or asking their GP.