The Residential In Reach Program (RIR) is part of the Wimmera Health Care Group's Primary Care Program, and run by the District Nursing Department.
The program was launched in February of 2014, with the current catchment area being limited to all Horsham RACFs and other Wimmera areas including Natimuk and Dimboola.
The primary aim of the program is to prevent unnecessary presentations to the Emergency Department of acutely unwell aged care residents by provide education and support for RACF staff in caring for acutely unwell aged care residents and residents with complex needs.
The RIR program is currently free for RACFs to access, including any pharmaceuticals that are short term and directly related to treating the acute illness, and any relevant consumables associated with the acute illness.
RIR support is available Monday to Friday (8am-4.30pm), with after hours coverage for pre-existing clients provided by the Hospital In the Home Service. New referrals are able to be accepted afterhours, but no direct consultation or assessment is available.
Residential Aged Care Residents are able to be referred to the RIR service by:
o Staff (RACF or Hospital)
o GP
o Resident (self referral)
o Family
Services offered by the RIR program include (but not limited to):
• Assessment of acutely unwell aged care residents
• Support aged care residential staff in caring for acutely unwell aged care residents
o Intravenous antibiotics
o Subcutaneous fluids & dehydration management
o Blood transfusions
• Support aged care residential staff in:
o Caring for complex aged care residents
o Indwelling Urinary Catheter management / care
o Supra-pubic catheter care
o Nasogastric tube use / care / management
o PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) tube use / care
• In-service Education:
o Venepuncture
o Intravenous cannulation & therapy
o Nursing Assessment
o PEG feeding tube management / care
o Indwelling Urinary Catheter management / care
o Supra-pubic catheter management /care
• General clinical advice
• Assistance in liaising with speciality services
o Palliative Care
o Wound Care
o Physiotherapy (fee may apply)