❓ Mr. Kirkup questions the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) regarding high readmission rates following specific surgeries. The Minister responds, citing lower surgical volumes and remote locations as contributing factors, outlining cost and review processes.
AnsweredQoN 5670Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 October 2019
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to page 56 of the WA Country Health Service 2018-19 Annual Report, and ask: (a) Why is there such a significant re-admission rate of patients receiving: (i) Knee replacement; (ii) Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery; (iii) Hysterectomy; and (iv) Prostatectomy; (b) For (a)(i)-(iv) what are the overall numbers of patients who received this surgery; (c) What is the estimated cost associated with patient re-admission; and (d) What work is being undertaken to reduce re-admission rates for patients?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 November 2019
Response time
13 days
I am advised:
(a)(i)-(iv) In comparison with metropolitan based Health Service Providers, the number of surgical cases performed within WACHS is significantly lower thereby impacting the statistical information provided against Key Performance Indicators.
WACHS readmission rates are indicative of the issues associated with providing clinical care within rural and remote sites. Patients often live considerable distances from local health sites or community based medical practitioners and WACHS is conservative in its management of patients who are at risk of ongoing complications related to a surgical procedure. WACHS will often readmit patients as a precaution in lieu of community based general practitioners.
(b)(i) 345 procedures.
(ii) 335 procedures.
(iii) 183 procedures.
(iv) 113 procedures.
(c) The average readmission cost is $5,892 per patient.
(d) All unplanned readmissions are identified and reviewed at a local level so as to ascertain a local solution. Regional clinical managers will review cases and escalate via safety and quality processes. Any identified trends are managed via local initiatives.
As an organisation unplanned readmission rates are identified and monitored as part of the Health Service Performance Reporting. Any trends are evaluated and acted upon at a regional level.
(a)(i)-(iv) In comparison with metropolitan based Health Service Providers, the number of surgical cases performed within WACHS is significantly lower thereby impacting the statistical information provided against Key Performance Indicators.
WACHS readmission rates are indicative of the issues associated with providing clinical care within rural and remote sites. Patients often live considerable distances from local health sites or community based medical practitioners and WACHS is conservative in its management of patients who are at risk of ongoing complications related to a surgical procedure. WACHS will often readmit patients as a precaution in lieu of community based general practitioners.
(b)(i) 345 procedures.
(ii) 335 procedures.
(iii) 183 procedures.
(iv) 113 procedures.
(c) The average readmission cost is $5,892 per patient.
(d) All unplanned readmissions are identified and reviewed at a local level so as to ascertain a local solution. Regional clinical managers will review cases and escalate via safety and quality processes. Any identified trends are managed via local initiatives.
As an organisation unplanned readmission rates are identified and monitored as part of the Health Service Performance Reporting. Any trends are evaluated and acted upon at a regional level.
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