New VIC triage system to cut back on unnecessary ED visits by RAC residents

Ambulance Victoria is using a “virtual emergency department” to better triage patients from residential aged care facilities and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits. Dubbed Residential Aged Care Enhanced Response (RACER), the new 24/7 pathway uses the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department to connect RAC homes to expert advice and alternative care options. It aims to cut back on the 90% of Triple Zero (000) calls from RACs that end up with patients in emergency departments – often unnecessarily. According to Ambulance Victoria Medical Director Dr David Anderson (pictured), RACER’s goal is to improve patient experience and health outcomes, as well as relieve pressure on the healthcare system.

“Aged care patients, due to their frailty and chronic illness, have higher rates of ambulance use. But we know these trips to hospital can be very disruptive and stressful for them.
“RACER will help minimise stress and disruption, while at the same time relieving the growing demand on hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing non-urgent and repeat call-outs, and the time paramedics spend with cases. “This in turn improves the availability of ambulances to reach the sickest patients faster,” he said.

“Bed blocking” in emergency departments is a serious issue, with Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff earlier this month calling for Commonwealth help to remove a logjam in the state’s hospitals.