In the past, the care of long-term mechanically ventilated patients was carried out after completion of treatment in the acute hospital for months and often years in intensive care units. This form of care was neither optimal for the patients from a qualitative point of view nor for the financiers in terms of costs (about €1000 per day). For these reasons they began on the organisational basis of the system ‘impact-oriented administration’ with the establishment of suitable facilities in Upper Austria. Besides the intensive care units in acute hospitals, a total of 14 beds were established in two inpatient facilities in Upper Austria for the needs of long-term ventilated patients. In addition, portable home ventilation by relatives has been integrated into the care system. They now distinguish between three different levels of care within the meaning of long-term ventilation: Acute care in an inpatient hospital (ICU); Care in two inpatient facilities for long-term ventilation; Portable home ventilation and care by relatives. The allocations between the healthcare institutions are carried out by the Upper Austrian Coordination and Competence Team according to case management, with the inclusion of the Upper Austrian state administration. For patients requiring residential care in principle, financing is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Upper Austrian Hospitals Act, Oö. Krankenanstal-tengesetz.
The establishment of long-term ventilated patients care has the following objectives: Medical/nursing/psychological/social goals: since long-term ventilated patients are usually fully conscious, permanent accommodation in the intensive care unit of a hospital would only be sub-optimally suitable considering the psychological, social and medical aspects. For this reason, inpatient facilities for the care of long-term ventilated patients particularly focus on an adapted family and social environment, including a variety of therapeutic tools. This allows the social well-being of the patients to be significantly increased. Medical and nursing care results can often be better and more quickly achieved compared to care in a hospital intensive care unit. Furthermore, care through the portable home ventilation meets the needs for a familiar family environment, through allowing patients to remain in their own homes; Economic goals: with the developed care structures sustainable cost containment can be reached in relation to the alternative residential care in an intensive care unit of a hospital. The home ventilation is funded by means of the State of Upper Austria, which is used to relieve the hospital system. With this health care structure it can be assured that patients are optimally treated according to their requirements. Additionally acute hospitals can be relieved, thus saving approximately €13.8 million per year.
| Award info | |
| Award category: | smart public service delivery |
|---|---|
| Award type: | diploma |
| Award year: | 2011 |
| Project type | |
| Sector: | Public health and social welfare/affairs |
| Type of activity: | |
| Keywords: | Long-term ventilation, long-term ventilated patients, mechanical ventilation, care of long-term ventilated patients, portable home ventilation, coordination and competence team, financeable long-term mechanical ventilation, long-term ventilation and therapy |
| Short English description: | The establishment of long-term ventilated patients care has the following objectives: Medical/nursing/psychological/social goals: since long-term ventilated patients are usually fully conscious, permanent accommodation in the intensive care unit of a hospital would only be sub-optimally suitable considering the psychological, social and medical aspects. |
| Further information | |
| Organisation: | Office of the State Government of Upper Austria – Directorate Social Affairs and Health |
| Other applicants: | |
| Homepage: | http://www.schloss-haus.at (German only) |
| Level of government: | regional level |
| Size of organisation: | >100 |
| Number of people involved: | >15 |
| Country: | Austria |
| EU membership: | EU member |
| Language code: | en |
| Start date: | |
| End date: | |