Aim: To create a new model of care and improve care for ambulatory trauma patients in North Wales.
Ambulatory Trauma patients are people who have sustained isolated, non-complex injuries, who are
independently mobile and can look after themselves. A large proportion of these injuries usually get better by themselves with minimal treatment, and can be safely managed by clinicians with basic treatments and by educating patients about their injury and their expected recovery.
Overview
A Surgical Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit has been established in Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, where patients with simple, stable injuries can receive a diagnosis and self-care plan within 24 hours of their arrival. These patients generally do not require follow up, but if they do, most require reassurance only, and well-informed patients initiate their own follow up if they are given clear pathways back to hospital.
Directly discharging the right patients, with self-care therapy and safety netting for potential problems, avoids unnecessary or routine hospital appointments.
The Process
Directly discharging the right patients, with self-care therapy and safety netting for potential problems, avoids unnecessary or routine hospital appointments.
In the following video, lead clinician for SDEC Oliver Blocker describes the aims of the Surgical SDEC Unit, and shows us how the model of care works in action.
This new model of care has been established and safely used by many units treating trauma, and it also is what this organisation is working towards following the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.