Hospital in the Home Patient Information Sheet

What is HITH?

The Hospital in the Home (HITH) program is an early discharge or prevention of admission service that enables eligible hospital patients to be treated at home or in a clinic by experienced community nurses. Nurses are able to provide quality personalised nursing care according to each patient’s individual needs. It includes intravenous therapy, mainly antibiotics and anticoagulation for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.

The CHN teams work from 7.30am to 8pm: visits for medication administration will be at approximately the same time each day. If there is any need to vary this arrangement the CHN will contact you by phone to advise of change.
If expecting an evening visit by a CHN please leave an outside light on.
Please advise the CHN if you do not require them to see you due to hospital/specialist consultation. When attending hospital for reviews take your medication with you for administration.
The number of visits you require by the nurses will depend on the length of time that your treatment is considered necessary by your medical officer.
If you are having long term subcutaneous injections as a part of your treatment, the CHN is able to educate you or your carer how to self-administer.
You will be given a brochure on care of your intravenous cannula or peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).

For any issues or concerns you can contact the Primary & Community Health Referral and Information Centre between 7am and 9.30pm week days and 8am and 4:30pm weekends:

Triple I (Hub) 1800 455 511

If your condition deteriorates out of hours you should contact Campbelltown Hospital Emergency Department for advice on 4634 3000.

Macarthur Nursing/Medical( HITH) Clinics

Rosemeadow Community Health Centre
5 Thomas Rose Drive
Rosemeadow 2560

Oran Park Integrated Primary Care Centre
(next to Terry White Chemist)
Oran Park Podium
351 Oran Park Drive
Oran Park 2570

Wollondilly Community Health Centre
15 Harper Close
Tahmoor 2573

Ingleburn Community Health Centre
59A Cumberland Road
Ingleburn 2565

To be eligible for HITH treatment you must:

Live or work in the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD)
Your treating hospital medical team or Emergency Department (ED) medical officer or your GP believes you are well enough to continue your treatment at home or in a clinic.
You must have a safe, suitable home environment and access to a telephone.
You must have adequate carer/family support where necessary.
You must be able to care for your intravenous devices (cannula, PICC line)

How do I benefit from being in the HITH program?

Nursing care is provided out of hospital.
By having your treatment at home or a clinic, there is less risk of hospital acquired infections.
Medical management is provided by either your specialist or GP.
Nurses are available to answer any of your questions about your health or your medication.
Nurses are able to liaise with your medical officer regarding your treatment.
Should you need to return to the hospital, you will be reviewed by one of the ED medical officers and if required admission arranged.

What do I need to do?

If discharged from hospital or ED you will be provided with a script for further supply of medications – the script needs to be taken to local chemist as soon as possible.
The Community Health Nurses (CHN) will contact you by phone to arrange initial assessment.
If you are able to attend one of the community nursing clinics you will be given an appointment.
For patients who are less mobile, infectious or for out of business hours care provision, the CHN teams work from 7.30am to 8pm. Visits for medication administration will be at approximately the same time each day. If there is any need to vary this arrangement the CHN will contact you by phone to advise of change.
If expecting an evening visit by a CHN please leave an outside light on.
Please advise the CHN if you do not require them to see you due to hospital/specialist consultation. When attending hospital for reviews take your medication with you for administration.
The number of visits you require by the nurses will depend on the length of time that your treatment is considered necessary by your medical officer.
If you are having long term subcutaneous injections as a part of your treatment, the CHN is able to educate you or your carer how to self-administer.
You will be given a brochure on care of your intravenous cannula or peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).