Learn what to expect during an acute care visit, including admission procedures, healthcare roles, pain management, and practical communication tips. Essential guidance for patients and families navigating urgent medical situations.
Navigating the complexities of acute care can be daunting for patients and their families. Acute care hospitals specialise in providing short-term treatment for severe injuries, illnesses, and surgeries, focusing on stabilising patients and preparing them for discharge or transfer to long-term care facilities. Understanding the admission procedures, roles of healthcare professionals, pain management options, and effective communication strategies can significantly enhance the patient experience during such critical times.
Admission procedures
Upon arrival at an acute care hospital, patients undergo a structured admission process designed to assess their immediate medical needs:
- Triage assessment: In emergency situations, medical staff quickly evaluate the severity of a patient’s condition to prioritise treatment.
- Registration: Collecting personal and medical aid information to create a medical record.
- Medical evaluation: Physicians conduct physical examinations, order diagnostic tests, and develop initial treatment plans.
Roles of healthcare professionals
A diverse team collaborates in acute care settings to provide comprehensive patient care:
- Physicians: Diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and perform surgeries.
- Nurses: Monitor patient status, administer medications, and offer bedside care.
- Allied health professionals: Include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers who assist with rehabilitation and discharge planning.
- Pharmacists: Manage and dispense medications, ensuring safe and effective use.
Pain management options
Effective pain control is crucial in acute care:
- Medication: Utilising analgesics ranging from over-the-counter options to prescribed opioids tailored to the patient’s pain level.
- Non-pharmacological methods: Incorporating techniques such as physiotherapy if required.
- Patient education: Informing patients about pain management plans and encouraging communication about pain levels.
Healthcare providers should communicate clearly with patients regarding pain expectations and management strategies.
Tips for the patient regarding effective communication with medical staff
Clear communication enhances care quality:
- Be honest and specific: Describe symptoms, pain levels, and concerns clearly.
- Ask questions: Seek clarification on diagnoses, treatments, and procedures.
- Involve family members: Having a trusted person present can provide support and help remember information.
- Utilise Interpreters if Needed: Ensure language barriers do not impede understanding.
Engaging family members in discussions can provide additional support, meet patient needs, and ensure clear expectations and understanding.
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FAQ’s
What is the difference between an acute care hospital and a general hospital?
- An acute care hospital specialises in short-term treatment for severe or urgent medical conditions, focusing on immediate stabilisation. In contrast, a general hospital offers a broader range of services, including both acute and chronic care, catering to various medical needs over longer durations.
When should one seek acute care?
- Acute care is appropriate for sudden, unexpected, and urgent medical conditions that require immediate attention, such as severe injuries, heart attacks, or acute infections.
Is acute care the same as the Emergency Room (ER)?
- The ER is a component of acute care, providing immediate evaluation and treatment for emergent conditions. However, acute care encompasses a broader range of services, including inpatient care, surgery, and specialised treatments beyond the ER.
What are the differences between acute care and a day hospital?
- Acute care involves inpatient medical treatment for serious, short-term conditions that require continuous hospital monitoring. In contrast, a day hospital provides treatment during daytime hours, allowing patients to return home in the evening. This option is typically suited for less critical conditions requiring intensive care but not requiring an overnight stay
Key differences:
Length of stay:
- Acute care: Patients remain in the hospital overnight.
- Day hospital: Patients receive treatment during designated daytime hours and go home in the evening.
Severity of Condition:
- Acute care: Addresses severe, potentially life-threatening conditions.
- Day hospital: Manages less critical conditions that still need intensive treatment.
Level of monitoring:
- Acute care: Offers continuous, round-the-clock monitoring due to the patient’s critical condition.
- Day hospital: Provides a lower level of monitoring appropriate for stable patients.
Example Scenarios:
- Acute care: A patient experiencing a heart attack who needs immediate surgery and intensive post-operative monitoring.
- Day hospital: A patient receiving chemotherapy treatments that can be safely administered during the day, allowing them to return home afterward.
Gaining insight into the structure and functions of acute care settings empowers patients and their families to navigate medical emergencies with confidence, ensuring timely and effective interventions during critical health events.
Fostering recovery and restoring health
The four sub-acute rehabilitation hospitals feature 36 to 52 beds, ensuring personalised attention and an intimate healing environment. Here, patients work towards regaining their strength, mobility, and independence under our multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals, including general medical practitioners, case managers, physiatrists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, dieticians and social workers. They all work together to create comprehensive, customised treatment plans.
Recover in an environment that offers best-practice care, facilities and comfort.
