Accident & emergency
Occupational therapists and physiotherapists employed in A&E services have been significantly effective in preventing the number of admissions and re-admissions into hospitals (OTN May 2010 p24)
Cost benefits of occupational therapy
Results have shown that over a period of time 67% of those discharged following an occupational therapy assessment made a projected saving of £542,619 (Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, reported in OTN May 2010).
The Rapid Emergency Assessment and Care Team (REACT) provide assessments on mobility, activities of daily living, cognition and social support. Over a three month period, 126 admissions were prevented at a saving of £105,000 (Selly Oak Hospital reported in OTN May 2010 p30).
An early intervention team in Norfolk over a six month period made a saving of 222 bed days equating to a saving of approximately £25,000. (James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston as reported in OTN May 2010).
The occupational therapy accident and emergency service at Royal Cornwall Hospital provides seven day cover. This change made increased savings on admission avoidance, and initial screening of falls patients, and increased efficiencies in discharging patient’s home within 72 hours (OTN May p46).
A hospital discharge service can speed up a patients release from hospital. This creates savings of around £120 a day - the amount charged to a local authority when patients block beds in hospital (Allen K.2010).
Download Preventing And Reducing Admissions Through A&E Departments
References
- Allen K et al (2010) 'The billion dollar question': embedding prevention in older people’s services - 10 ‘high impact’ changes. A paper from Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham.
- Hill N (2010) Therapy in an acute front line service. Occupational Therapy News 18(5), 25.
- Recommendations based on review of evidence in the Transformational Guide: Acute Care Closer to Home, available in: Department of Health (2009) Transforming Community Service: Ambition Action Achievement Transforming Services for Acute Care Closer to Home. London: DH.
Available at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_102198.pdf
