11 June 2024
UPDATED
New ROVER Program Revolutionises Hospital Avoidance and Patient Care at Albury Wodonga Health
This month Albury Wodonga Health is shining the spotlight on healthcare innovation and are proud to announce the successful trial and ongoing implementation of the ROVER (Rapid Onsite Virtual Essential Response). As a new role within the Health Coordination program, this pioneering initiative has been designed to reduce hospital readmissions, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the strain on emergency services.
From January to June 2023, the Health Coordination Program at AWH launched the project to trial the idea of ROVER role, transforming their care model to provide enhanced support and coordination for patient's post-discharge. The initiative aims to prevent unnecessary hospital re-presentations and admissions, thereby improving access and flow throughout hospital services.
Due to this success of the project, and with over 340 newly discharged patients having received support over the last 12 months (July 23 to June 24), funding has been allocated to continue this role long-term.
The Health Coordination Program staff work closely with the hospital discharge staff and aims to contact patients within 72 hours of hospital discharge. The Health Coordination team contact a recently discharged patient, ensuring they understand their discharge instructions and have access to necessary follow-up care.
Health Coordinators offer symptom monitoring, educational resources, and health coaching through phone consultations and text messaging to both streamline communication and enhance patient support.
Health Coordination team leader, Liz Freeman shared,
“The impact speaks for itself. Our trial saw an 85% increase in referrals to the Health Coordination Team (HCT), eliminating wait lists and ensuring timely assistance for patients.”
“52% of discharged patients who required support with the scheduling of necessary follow-up GP appointments, 24% of clients were identified to have medication concerns, and an overwhelmingly 96% of patients rated the follow-up calls.”
The ROVER role within Health Coordination Program is part of AWH's broader strategy to integrate virtual care solutions into patient management. This includes using commercial virtual care platforms like Cardihab to support remote patient monitoring and care.
Due to its success, the ROVER role will continue for another 12 months with additional funding from the Better @ Home initiative. This extension is expected to further enhance patient flow, reduce re-presentations, and prevent re-admissions, cementing the ROVER role as a critical component of AWH's patient care strategy.
Albury Wodonga Health is committed to innovating and improving patient care through initiatives like the ROVER role in the Health Coordination Program. By focusing on rapid response and virtual care, AWH aims to set new standards in hospital avoidance and patient satisfaction.
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UPDATED: Media Opportunity - Due to unforseen circumstances the media opportunity has been moved to Thursday 13 June at 11:00 am. Wodonga Community Rehabilitation/Allied Health Service Building, 73-75 Vermont St Wodonga.
Further Information
Regional Leadership: ROVER programs success has drawn the attention of other smaller North East Health services and our Health Coordination team are working with
them to adopt similar practices.
Quotes from Stakeholders:
Flow Nurse: “Working with the ROVER helped get the patient home earlier… I knew the discharge was going to be supported. It helped clear the bed.”
Consumer: “I didn’t think AWH cared, I thought they were just kicking me out because they needed the bed. I never knew that I was going to get this call. It has changed my mind about the hospital.”
Media Enquiries
Cassandra Juric | Communications Manager | cassandra.juric@awh.org.au