Emergency Department
SAFE
(Sub-acute Ambulatory Care for Functionally Challenged & Elderly)
Sub-acute Ambulatory Care For Functionally Challenged & Elderly (SAFE) programme was formed to meet the comprehensive needs of the elderly in our community after a visit to the Emergency Department (ED). Patients referred to SAFE live in the western region of Singapore.
How SAFE works A doctor-nurse team assesses the patient in their home three to seven days after a visit to the ED. Suitable care plans are discussed and procedures, blood investigations and other allied health services are recommended. Patients and Next-Of-Kin (NOK) can contact the SAFE team during office hours to receive timely, urgent or elective reviews. After one to three months, patients can be discharged from SAFE and continue their care in the hospital or community. Referrals to home medical teams or day care centres can be arranged.
Caring for you • Doctor: performs comprehensive (Medical, Nursing, Cognition, Functional, Mood, Social, Environmental) assessment, care plans, interdisciplinary rounds and integrates care with other hospital specialists and community partners. • Nurse: monitors patients’ wellbeing, blood pressure, sugar levels, conducts regular phone reviews, manages wound dressing and performs caregiving training.
• Physiotherapist: maintains and reconditions patients' functional capabilities through individualised training programmes. • Pharmacist: provides pharmaceutical care services, which includes the management of medication adherence, medication reconciliation, education and ambulatory services (smoking cessation). • Medical Social Worker: offers financial, psychosocial and emotional assessments, crisis intervention, Advanced Care Planning and link-ups to community resources. • Dietitian: offers nutritional assessment, intervention and education to patients and their family. • Podiatrist: treats the corns, callosities, chronic ulcers, skin and nail condition on patients' lower limbs and makes recommendations on suitable footwear. • Occupational Therapist: conducts home visits and suggests improvements to patients’ home environments for enhanced safety. Recommends activities to improve patients’ quality of life and conducts caregiver training on areas such as Basic Activities of Daily Living. • Speech Therapist: offers assessments and interventions to help patients with difficulty swallowing and communicating.
Benefits of SAFE • Comprehensive care to elderly • Manages symptoms for early rehabilitation • Monitors patients' parameters, progress and care closely • Patients learn to use appropriate aids • Prevents hospitalisation • Reduces caregiver stress
Eligibility criteria • 65 years old or functionally-challenged (>= 1 ADL dependent) • Resides in the western region of Singapore • Stable vital signs with: i. Trauma (Head Injury/Contusion/Compression spine fracture/stable limb fractures) for pain control and rehabilitation at home ii. Mild Infections (cellulitis, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, pressure sores) iii. Exacerbation of chronic medical conditions (CVA, Asthma, COPD, CCF, DM, Hypertension) iv. Optimisation of multiple complex medical conditions v. Functional Decline vi. Dementia with behavioural symptoms that require medical titration and caregiver support Services offered are charged per visit by each healthcare professional. Please refer to the table below: Services
Non-Resident
Permanent Resident
Resident
Doctor
$160
$45
$30
Nurse
$85
$24
$16
Allied Health
$110
$30
$20
* Information correct as of 9 January 2013 Procedures and laboratory investigations conducted on visits are charged separately and vary between agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions How often does SAFE offer its services? Visits may range from one to four times over a period of one to three months. What support services will I receive after discharge from SAFE? We can arrange to transit you to community healthcare service providers, such as home medical, day care centres or polyclinics for continuity of care. What should I do if I need to change or cancel a scheduled home visit?
For more information
Clinical hours
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital
Monday – Friday, 9.00am to 4.00pm
1 Jurong East St 21, Singapore 609606 General enquiries: 6716 2000 Fax: 6716 5500 www.ntfgh.com.sg
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays Contact us: 96471797 / 96471802
Copyright Š JurongHealth B E 062-15 June 2015
Please inform us early to avoid making a wasted trip.