Co-HIVE Aged Care Service
The Community Health in a Virtual Environment (Co-HIVE) Aged Care service, a geriatrician-led virtual healthcare initiative designed for individuals residing in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in Western Australia. Co-HIVE provides comprehensive, high-quality, and coordinated clinical care to older adults, prioritising the most suitable setting for their needs.
Co-HIVE aims to empower RACFs to deliver quality care within the comfort of residents' homes. The service aims to bridge communication gaps and enhance care coordination between community and tertiary healthcare providers, fostering a seamless healthcare experience.
The Co-HIVE Team comprises specialised clinicians, including consultant Geriatricians, Palliative Care Physicians, Older Adult Psychiatrists, and Clinical Nurses.
Co-HIVE is committed to facilitate improved healthcare outcomes by promoting collaboration and communication among healthcare providers, ensuring that older adults receive the most appropriate care in the setting that best suits their needs.
Who is the Co-HIVE Team?
The Co-HIVE Aged Care Service is Geriatrician led with the support of specialist nurses, Palliative Care Physicians and Older Adult Psychiatrists. The team is based at Royal Perth Hospital and call into RACFs to provide virtual consultations.
Eligibility Criteria
Consumers aged 65 or older, or 50 for consumers who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander residing in a RACF within the eligible East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) catchment area are eligible for referral to the Co-HIVE Aged Care Service. The EMHS catchment area includes:
- Armadale Hospital
- Bentley Hospital
- Kalamunda Hospital
- Royal Perth Hospital.
Consumers are suitable for the Co-HIVE Aged Care Service if they:
- Are unwell and have been assessed by the GP or senior RACF clinicians as not requiring immediate emergency care.
- Are unwell and an ambulance has been called but WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED) has assessed the consumer as not requiring treatment in an emergency department.
- Are being or have recently been discharged from an EMHS hospital.
- Have complex care needs requiring Geriatrician led evaluation, management, or care planning.
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What is a virtual consultation?
A virtual consultation uses technology to connect healthcare professionals with consumers in the comfort of the consumers’ home. Co-HIVE uses HealthDirect for videocall telehealth appointments. During the appointment, the facility staff will be with the consumer equipped with a handheld device to assist in facilitating the virtual meeting and providing important information about consumer care.
Consumers have the opportunity to interact directly with Co-HIVE. Family members can also participate virtually by dialling in from their own device. This convenient approach allows consumers to access expert care, ensuring a seamless and patient-centred experience.
How to participate in a virtual consultation?
Before the appointment an email with a link to the HealthDirect platform will be sent from the Co-HIVE team.
At the appointment time, click the HealthDirect link using a mobile device with a camera, microphone, and internet connection.
Enter the consumers name and telephone number to enter the online waiting area. The Co-HIVE clinician will be able to see the consumer is ready and will begin the appointment.
Are there any costs?
There are no costs to receive the Co-HIVE Aged Care Service.
If a consumer requires additional services such as medical imaging, pathology and pharmacy, there may be an out-of-pocket expense.
Who can refer to Co-HIVE?
Co-HIVE receive referrals from community care providers including:
- General Practitioners
- Nurse Practitioners
- Senior RACF clinical staff
- Residential Care Line
- EMHS Older Adult Mental Health staff
- Metropolitan Palliative Care Consultancy Service
- WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED).
How to refer to Co-HIVE?
To make a referral, contact the Co-HIVE telephone during operational hours to speak to a Co-HIVE clinician. Prior to calling, please ensure you have the following information prepared:
- Consumer details.
- RACF details.
- Reason for referral including a concise description of the consumers medical condition or reason for seeking care.
- Information regarding the consumer’s Advance Care Plan.
What is a virtual consultation?
The Co-HIVE Team utilise HealthDirect to conduct videocall telehealth appointments. The RACF staff are present at the consumer’s bedside with a handheld device to facilitate the Co-HIVE appointment and inform the Co-HIVE clinician of critical consumer care information and observations.
The consumer can interface directly with the clinician during the appointment. Family members can also attend virtually by dialling in to the virtual appointment from their own device.
How does the service differ from primary care?
The Co-HIVE Aged Care Service is a time limited service, generally up to 2 weeks, collaborating with the staff from the RACF and General Practitioner.
The Co-HIVE Team will help with new medical issues that benefit from a specialist review. Co-HIVE does not take over the management of a consumers long term health conditions unless relevant.
Co-HIVE clinicians will only make recommendations to the General Practitioner and not take over clinical governance.
Consumers will be discharged from the Co-HIVE Aged Care Service following a resolution of the primary issue or after a suitable management plan is developed. A comprehensive correspondence letter will be distributed to the primary care physician to ensure continuity of care.
Are there any out-of-pocket expenses for this service?
There are no out-of-pocket expenses for consumers and RACFs to receive this service. If consumers require additional services such as medical imaging, pathology and pharmacy, there may be an out-of-pocket expense.
What is a virtual consultation?
The Co-HIVE Team utilise HealthDirect to conduct videocall telehealth appointments. The RACF staff are present at the consumer’s bedside with a handheld device to facilitate the Co-HIVE appointment and inform the Co-HIVE clinician of critical consumer care information and observations.
The consumer can interface directly with the clinician during the appointment. Family members can also attend virtually by dialling in to the virtual appointment from their own device.
Responsibilities of the RACF
For seamless collaboration between Co-HIVE and RACFs, the RACF is responsible for:
- Obtaining consumer (or decision maker) consent.
- Inform GPs of Co-HIVE involvement.
- Acknowledging ongoing care of the consumer remains the responsibility of the RACF and the GP.
- Providing clinical support during the videocall.
- Sending relevant clinical information to the Co-HIVE Team as this will support care delivery.
- Documenting Co-HIVE related information in the consumer’s RACF records.
Engagement Requirements
To utilise the Co-HIVE Aged Care Service, the RACF will require:
- Mobile technology with videocall capabilities.
- Wi-Fi available for staff use.
- Mobile coverage available when Wi-Fi is unavailable (4G or 5G).
- Clinical staff available to assist videocalls.
Are there any out-of-pocket expenses for this service?
There are no out-of-pocket expenses for consumers and RACFs to receive this service. If consumers require additional services such as medical imaging, pathology and pharmacy, there may be an out-of-pocket expense.