Acute/Post Acute Care (APAC)
Acute/Post Acute Care (APAC) is a Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service (NSCCAHS) program providing acute care substitution within the community. Selected patients are cared for within their home, hostel or nursing home by an expert multi-disciplinary team. This multi-disciplinary team includes Clinical Registered Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Pharmacists and Community Care Aides.
The service is identifed as the leader in this form of care across NSW and Australia. NSW Health recommends that other Area Health Services establish equivalent programs that improve the care of patients with acute and chronic/complex conditions.
It noted: "Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service's APAC service has been a success from its very first patient in June 2000."
APAC has been accredited by the various private and public organisations, including NSW Health and Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
The program provides home-based acute care substitution for acute exacerbations of chronic and complex cases, that can be safely managed in the community. APAC assesses and monitors people with a variety of medical, surgical and age-related problems.
APAC works in close collaboration with patients, their families/carers, general practitioners, all the acute hospitals across NSCCAHS, and with other health and community services where required. APAC introduced a direct GP referral service in 2006, which enables patients to avoid a hospital presentation/admission.
APAC promotes evidence-based clinical guidelines and achieves excellent outcomes. APAC promotes integration of hospital and community services and patient self management, thus avoiding both admissions and readmissions.
