sharon strugnell brainlink services and deborah byrne brain injury association of tasmania
TRANSCRIPT
SHARON STRUGNELL CEO BRAINLINK SERVICES LTD VICTORIA
DEBORAH BYRNE EO BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF TASMANIA
BRIDGING THE GAP
• Acquired Brain Disorder ( ABD ) Community Liaison in 3 major hospitals across Victoria and Tasmania
• Supporting families from patient diagnosis/ treatment in hospital through to post hospital discharge and into community care
1 hour in the hospital is like a full day in any other place!
The BrainLink Experience
Like riding a rollercoaster
Don’t know what’s happening here
When a family member is admitted it is very stressful for loved ones
“It took me 6 months after discharge to find a community connection”
For the carer • Personal and single point of contact
• Some level of comfort during the hospital stay
• Improved health and wellbeing
For the hospital • Reduced time required from hospital staff
• Reduced stress and improved staff satisfaction • Minimisation of discharge delay
• Patient satisfaction increased
THE BRAINLINK EXPERIENCE
Regards MW, wife of ABD pa4ent
“The BrainLink program at the neurosurgery ward is just so worthwhile and the informa4on package I received was read over and over and the pamphlet regarding changed lives was very useful to me.
I s4ll read it now and even though it is very hard to take in so much informa4on when you are in grief, the informa4on was very useful for me because there were 4mes when you couldn't talk face to face, but reading it helped and the gentle approach was just what I needed
If it wasn't for the CLO, I am not sure where I would be today as she came from Melbourne to Bendigo to help me in my 4me of need. As a regional city, Bendigo has the Anne Caudle Rehab, but it does not promote or talk about the impact brain injury has on – and especially in my case – people with stroke.”
Outcomes • CLO improved the health and wellbeing of both the person with the ABI/ABD and their carers and families
• Benefits were immediate and positive
• Program provides practical and specialised advice, support and care
Outcomes • Enabled BrainLink to assist more families
• Facilitation of smooth transition into the community
• Contribution not financially quantified but evident in reducing the reliance on community resources
The BrainLink experience….. The Future
A seamless and positive impact on t h e o v e r a l l treatment of the patient and their family.
Development of a c lose r and more integrated working relationship between t h e c o m m u n i t y sector and the acute hospital sector.
Importantly it was so successful that the mode l has been replicated in t h r e e o t h e r hospitals to date, one of which is in Tasmania.
• Brain Injury AssociaKon of Tasmania
• Brain injury in Tasmania
• RaKonale • The Project • The PosiKon – clinical vs non clinical • Brief ‘case study’ overview
The Tasmanian Context
RaKonale
…between the acute (hospital) sector to the highly complicated community care sector.
InnovaKve and proacKve….
Gap in Service…
Awareness of Supports…
Caregiver Burden…
…people may need or services available.
…physical and emoKonal.
…idenKfy and resolve issues which impact on the community.
Time limited Approach Partnerships Specific Supported
12 months – funded by Tasmanian Community Fund
Ensures families are provided with informaKon and referrals specific to their condiKon and region
Carers are supported with pracKcal knowledge on how to be carers, how to maintain their own well-‐being and with informaKon on where to seek ongoing support as new issues arise.
Tasmanian Project Overview
Community development -‐ stresses early and Kmely intervenKon
• BrainLink
• Royal Hobart Hospital
• Community RehabilitaKon Unit
• Carers Tas
• Rehab Specialist
• Community organisaKons
Non Clinical Would need extensive orienta:on to the area
Clinical Background Orienta:on to BIAT and role only
Time Limite
d Po
si:o
n
OrientaKon
Non Clinical Would need orienta:on by hospital staff
Clinical Background No orienta:on needed except for minor updates eg new fire ex:nguishers
Busy and
Stressful
Hospital Environment
Non Clinical May take :me to be familiar with processes and terminology
Clinical Background Understanding of issues and able to readily iden:fy families who need assistance
Complex
Clinical Environment
Non Clinical Would take :me to earn the trust of staff
Clinical Background Clinician from a neuro background who was trusted by team
Trust
Clinical Staff
Clinical Background Despite the clinical experience of the Community Liaison Officer, they understand the boundaries of the role and don’t encroach on them
LimitaK
ons
Asked to sit with family when paKent received a difficult diagnosis
Families oaen need clarificaKon on clinical informaKon
‘Case Study’ Overview
Pre-‐op Worked with single mum of 3 children
Post discharge Supported husband with informaKon following wife’s discharge
Key to success…
Partnerships
Hospital/ Key person Support
Right person for the position
Resourcing
1 2 3 4
The anima:on automa:cally begins.