Prehabilitation and Reablement approach to elective surgery
Hywel Dda University Health Board and Pembrokeshire County Council
Jason Bennett, Head of Adult Social Care
Linda Jones, Manager of Adult Services Integrated Care
Hayley Vaughan, Manager of Reablement Services
Background
The project plans to link local authority reablement services with the health board preassessment process for elective orthopaedic surgery. Elective surgery offers an opportunity to not only plan admission and surgery but to plan the discharge and the post surgery recovery before the person is admitted, improving the system flow and the patient outcomes.
Aim
To have:
- An improved patient and family confidence via an agreed pathway which is proactive
- A reduced length of stay in acute hospital bed and timely discharge which is pre planned
- Improved recovery time and increased independent living skills.
Method
Reablement can meet patients at their best before surgery, visit their home and provide aids /equipment, teach skills needed for post operative recovery such as hip precautions, and jointly plan the admission and discharge in advance with a clear agreed individualised pathway of support.
Expected Benefits
- Improved patient and family confidence, reduced length of stay in acute hospital beds, improved recovery and independent living skills.