Aged care Rapid Response Team (ARRT)

The Aged Care Rapid Response Team is a home-visiting hospital outreach service who assess and treat older people experiencing a new decline in their health and are at risk of needing hospital.

Transfer to hospital of a frail older person increases the risk of delirium and other hospital acquired complications and may not be necessary if safe treatment can be commenced in their usual home environment.

ARRT provides acute assessment and aims to safely treat people at home or in their usual Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) if possible, avoiding distressing hospitalisation.

ARRT aims to build capacity in RACF staff by providing training, support and resources in recognising and managing the deteriorating resident.

Information for Patients and Families

Who to Refer

• People over the age of 70 or with an age-related condition who are experiencing a clinical, functional or cognitive decline and are at risk of hospitalisation
• Over 55 for Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islanders
• Family members/friends/neighbours can make the referral if concerned

How to make a referral

Discuss the need for a referral with your GP if possible

• Anyone can make a referral to ARRT by  direct telephone call to the ARRT CNCs
• The ARRT CNC or Registrar will discuss the issues and triage the patient according to the information received
• An approximate visit time will be given to you

Urgent referrals

• Home visit will usually occur within 1- 24 hours

Non-urgent referrals

• Home visit will occur with 1 week

Referral Information required

• Name of patient
• Date of birth
• Phone number
• Address
• Referrer details
• Brief overview of reason for referral
• Medical history
• Medications
• Advance Care Directive/Plan

Information for Health Professionals

Clinical Services

Our team of specialist geriatric doctors and nurses supports older people in the community, including Residential Aged Care Facilities by providing:

• Expert advice for GPs and RACF staff
• Rapid assessment for older people who are at imminent risk of hospitalisation
• Management of common acute conditions affecting older people

Who to Refer

• Patients who are experiencing a clinical, functional or cognitive decline and are at risk of hospitalisation
• Over the age of 70 or with an age-related condition (eg. dementia, frailty, delirium)
• Over 55 for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders

How to make a referral

Urgent referrals

• Call the ARRT CNC or ARRT registrar
• Urgent assessment home visit will usually occur same day or next day if possible
• For residents in aged care facilities, a videoconference may be done with ARRT and the facility with the resident to  support the triage process

Non-urgent referrals 

• Home visits normally occur with 1 week of referral

Referral information required

• Name
• Date of birth
• Phone number
• Address
• Referrer details
• Reason for referral
• Recent set of observations
• Recent pathology results and/or imaging
• Relevant medical history
• Medications
• Advanced Care Directive/Plan
• A referral letter from the GP addressed to Dr Hardy is preferred for Geriatrician review

Telehealth

ARRT has utilised telehealth since July 2019 using the Pexip Infinity Connect app to videoconference. This allows ARRT to triage and/or review patients who have been referred by RACFs or NSW Ambulance Extended Care Paramedics.  This will be extended to other users in the near future.

Advantages

• Patient centred
• Timely access and assessment
• Improved triage process and ability
• Service efficiency
• Cost effective
• Improved work flow

ARRT Videos

• Aged care Rapid Response Team promotional video #1

• Aged care Rapid Response Team promotional video #2

• Aged care Rapid Response Team promotional video #3

• Aged care Rapid Response Team promotional video #4

Useful Links

• ARRT brochure
• Residential Aged Care Facilities Deteriorating Resident Clinical Decision Tool