/ CHHS18/022

Canberra Hospital and Health Services

OperationalProcedure

Chronic Care Program - Care Coordination Service

Contents

Contents

Purpose

Scope

Section 1 – Care Coordination Service Model – Chronic Care Program

Section 2 – Referral

Section 3 – Triage categories

Implementation

Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Legislation

References

Definition of Terms

Search Terms

Attachments

Attachment 1: Care Coordination Service Flowchart

Attachment 2: Care Coordination Service information for clinicians

Purpose

The purposeof this procedure is to define the process for care coordination: triaging, assessing and managing referrals and graduation from the service to ensure consistent, equitable and transparent care.

This document outlines the model of care coordination and the clinical management processes followed by the Care Coordination Service, a part of the Chronic Care Program in the ACT Health Division of Medicine.

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Scope

This procedure applies to staff and patients of the Care Coordination Service.

This document applies to the following staff working within their scope of practice:

  • Medical Officers
  • Nurses and Midwives
  • Allied HealthProfessionals
  • Students under direct supervision.

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Section 1 –Care Coordination Service Model – Chronic Care Program

There are a range of models available for the management and care coordination of those living with chronic disease. Amongst these are the Flinders Chronic Condition Management Program, Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Hospital Admission Risk program(HARP) and the Wagner Chronic Care Model. However, one model of self-management support may not be appropriate to meet all the needs of a person (Department of Human Services, Victoria). Ideally, a range of self-management support options is needed. This is particularly so when providing clinical coordination services for patientswith chronic disease and complex needs. Support is also required for families (as defined by the patient) in order to harness their ability to make positive contributions to the health and wellbeing of the patient.

The elements of the Care CoordinationService Model used by the Chronic Care Program (CCP) aligns with the HARP model and draws upon aspects of the Flinders Model.

Elements of the CCP Care Coordination Service Model / Informed by
One to one assessment and care planning with individualised, person-centred care.
Goal setting is focussed on personal rather than clinical issues. / Flinders Model
Emphasis is on health literacy to improve self-management.
A clinical care coordinator is allocated to assist with assessment, planning education and support measures to address identified issues.
Duration on the program varies according to patientneed and is dependent on progress made towards goal achievement.
Targets patientsliving with chronic disease, co-morbidities and who have complex needs. / HARP model

Aim

The aim of the Care Coordination Service Model used by CCP is to increase the patient’scapacity to self-manage and enable their support systems to reduce presentations to emergency departments and unnecessary admission to hospital.

Application of the Care CoordinationService Model

The CCP is located in Ambulatory Services within the Division of Medicine. This is provided by a multidisciplinary team comprising allied health professionals, nurses and medical practitioners. The clinical settings for care coordination are those based around a primary health care approach and include outpatient clinics, general practice, community health and the patient’s place of residence.Support is provided by clinical care coordinators to patientson the program who present to emergency department or who are admitted to hospital.

Care CoordinationService Model in Action

Assessment / Initial assessments are based on physical, environmental, psychosocial, spiritual and social factors. Assessment may include discussion and addressing losses which affect meaning and purpose in life.
Risk factor assessment is undertaken relating to the ability to self-manage condition, access services, maintain environmental safety, conduct activities of daily living, and make healthy lifestyle choices including diet, physical activity, alcohol and smoking. Cognitive capacity is presumed (according to common law) unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise. An assessment of mood for the presence of anxiety and depression may also be required. Family relationships may be challenged due to the loss of role and financial strain warranting a psychosocial assessment.
Evidenced based tools (where they exist) are used in the assessment process.
Planning / The clinical care coordinator and the patientexplore issues/barriers that relate to their self-management, and the impact of these on their health and wellbeing. The patient’sissues are identified, documented and prioritised from their own perspective.
The Stages of Behavioural Change Model can be used to determine the patient’s readiness to change.
Goal setting and care planning / Personal goal statements are written in collaboration with the patient, and where relevant their family, and include those that are long, medium and short term.
Goals are required to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART goals). Care plans will be reviewed, and new goals set, either at set review dates, or as required.
Documentation / Information gained from the assessment, problem prioritisation, planning and goal setting processes are documented in a care coordination care plan. This plan includes the main problems and identified issues, agreed goals and steps necessary to achieve them with regular review dates stated. With consent, the documented care plan is shared with the patient’s General Practitioner (GP), and relevant health professionals involved in their care.
Review / During the assessment, planning and goal setting processes a range of techniques may be used by clinical care coordinators including motivational interviewing, counselling and health coaching to assist patients achieve their goals. Regular reviews are conducted to assess progress towards goal attainment.
Time to discharge from the care coordination service is contingent on goals being achieved. Duration on the program varies with each individual.

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Section 2 – Referral

The CCP process for managing referrals is outlined in the Care Coordination Service Flowchart at attachment 1. To make a referral, complete the Care Coordination Service Referral Form. This formisavailable from the Clinical Forms register on the intranet.

Referring clinicians should review the eligibility criteria on the referral form. Further information is contained in the flyer ‘Care Coordination Service - information for clinicians’ at attachment 2.

A consumer handout ‘Care Coordination Service - information for consumers’ is available on the intranet from the Policy and Clinical Guidance Register.

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Section 3 – Triage categories

All patients who are referred to the service for care coordination will be triaged initially as Category 1 (high intensity). This is because an initial assessment and care planning is required which may take several weeks to a month to finalise depending on the patient’s general wellbeing.

Category 1 applies to patients who have multiple issues that require regular and frequent home visits and/or phone calls (more than once a month) whilst services and/or supports are put in place. The goal is to gradually help patients progress to Category 2 when and if appropriate and safe to do so. Some patients will remain on Category 1 throughout the duration of their time on the care coordination service.

Category 2 applies to patients on the program who have progressed from Category 1 and only require phone contact once a month. These patients are generally able to self-manage, have appropriate supports in place and are clinically stable. If they remain stable and their goals are reached, they may be discharged from the care coordination service. The patient may be referred back to the care coordination service, if required at a later date. This will require a new referral form from the clinician.

Some patients will move between high (category 1) and low intensity support (category 2) from clinical care coordinators. Patients should be informed of how they are likely to progress through the program at the time written consent is obtained. The goal of care coordinationis for all patients to focus on self-management strategies and to progress along the continuum from Category 1 to Category 2 and discharge.

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Implementation

This procedure will be:

  • Available to all staff on the Policy register on SharePoint.
  • Included in the orientation of new staff to the care coordination program.
  • Communicated to staff through an all staff email and via team meetings.

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Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Legislation

Policies

  • Health DirectorateNursing and Midwifery Continuing Competence Policy
  • Consent and Treatment
  • ACT Health Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS)
  • Risk Management Policy
  • Violence and Aggression by Patients Consumers or Visitors Prevention and Management Policy
  • Work Health and Safety Management System – Section 7.7
  • Work Health and Safety Policy
  • Approval to Use Private Vehicles for Official Purposes Policy and Procedure

Procedures

  • CHHS Healthcare Associated Infections Clinical Procedure
  • CHHS Patient Identification and Procedure Matching Policy
  • Clinical Record Documentation procedure
  • Significant Incident procedure
  • Violence and Aggression by Patients Consumers or Visitors Procedure
  • Home Visiting operation Procedure

Guidelines

  • Standards of Practice for ACT Allied Health Professionals
  • Risk Management Guidelines
  • Risk Management Framework
  • The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights: A guide for patients, consumers, carers and families
  • ACT Charter of Rights for people who experience mental health issues
  • ACT Health Reconciliation Action Plan 2015 - 2018
  • ACT Chronic Conditions Strategy- Improving Care and Support 2013-2018
  • Multicultural Co-ordinating Framework – Towards Culturally Appropriate and Inclusive Services 2014-2018

Legislation

  • Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997
  • Human Rights Act 2004
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Carers Recognition Act 2010
  • Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
  • Mental Health Act 2015
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

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References

  1. Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council, 2017, National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions. AustralianGovernment. Canberra.
  2. Bird S, Noronha M, Sinnott H. An integrated care facilitation model improves quality of life and reduces use of hospital resources by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure. Australian Journal of Primary Health. 2010 (16) 326- 333p
  3. Department of Health, 2015, Victoria Common models of chronic disease self-management support: A factsheet for primary care partnerships available from:
  4. Fiandt, Karen. The chronic care model: description and application for practice. Topics in Advance Practice Nursing eJournal. 2006; 6(4)
  5. Flinders Program Information paper (2017) available from:
  6. Wagner EH. Chronic disease management: What will it take to improve care for chronic illness? Effective Clinical Practice. 1998 (1) 2-4p

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Definition of Terms

ACTPAS- Australian Capital Territory Patient Administration System

CCP- Chronic Care Program

CHF- Chronic Heart Failure

COPD- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CRIS- Clinical Record Information System

PD- Parkinson’s disease

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Search Terms

Chronic care program, Care coordination

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Attachments

Attachment 1: Care Coordination Service Flowchart

Attachment 2: Care Coordination Service information for clinicians

Disclaimer: This document has been developed by ACT Health, Canberra Hospital and Health Services specifically for its own use. Use of this document and any reliance on the information contained therein by any third party is at his or her own risk and Health Directorate assumes no responsibility whatsoever.

Policy Team ONLY to complete the following:

Date Amended / Section Amended / Divisional Approval / Final Approval
10/01/2018 / Complete review / ED Medicine / CHHS Policy Committee

This document supersedes the following:

Document Number / Document Name
CHHS13/393 / Chronic Care Program -Triaging Assessment and Management of Referrals

Attachment 1: Care Coordination Service Flowchart

Attachment 2: Care Coordination Service information for clinicians

The Care Coordination Service provides support services for people living in the community who have had several hospital admissions or ED presentations related to their chronic condition. These conditions include chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) or other conditions by arrangement.

Clinical care coordinators perform a comprehensive person-centred assessment. Goal setting interventions are developed with the patient and the health professionals involved in their care. The aim is to achieve a coordinated approach to the management of the patient’s condition. Care is person-centred, focussing on the development and/or support of self-management skills to improve quality of life and adaptation to living with a chronic condition. This may also include a palliative approach. The

Care Coordination Service assists the patientto remain well in the community, and to navigate and engage with the health system. This may result in prevention of unnecessary hospital presentations and admissions. To achieve this clinical care coordinators may:

  • Arrange support services for the patient in the community to assist health management
  • Provide patient education and strategies to help them self-manage their condition
  • Provide ongoing patient contact via home visits and phone consultation
  • Liaise and advocate with patient’s GP, specialist and other health care professionals/service providers regarding appointments and health management
  • Discuss and document Advance Care Planning conversations/decisions in line with patients’ wishes.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Adult (> 18 years old) ACT resident
  • Under the care of a relevant specialist (cardiologist, neurologist/geriatricianor respiratory specialist) with a documented medical management plan for their Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Parkinson’s Disease or other conditions by arrangement with the Chronic Care Program Manager
  • Has a need for psychosocial or clinical assistance to overcome barriers that may be affecting the patient from self-managing their chronic condition
  • More than 2 presentations per annum to hospital related to their chronic condition

How to refer?

  • Ensure patient/EPOA consent is obtained for referral
  • Complete the Care Coordination Service Referral Form (25018) listed on the Clinical Forms Register
  • Include a documented medical plan with the Care Coordination Service Referral Form

For further information, call the Chronic Care Program on 02 6244 2273.

Doc Number / Version / Issued / Review Date / Area Responsible / Page
CHHS18/022 / 1 / 19/01/2018 / 01/02/2022 / Medicine – Chronic Diseases / 1 of 10
Do not refer to a paper based copy of this policy document. The most current version can be found on the ACT Health Policy Register