Patients recovering from surgery at Logan Hospital are set to benefit from a new inpatient model of care, Perioperative Evaluation and Recovery Medicine (PERM), that provides tailored support for those with complex medical and social needs.
From early August, the hospital’s perioperative team began taking responsibility for four to six patients originally admitted under surgical specialties – the first initiative of its kind in Queensland.
Director of Perioperative Medicine, Dr Rajesh Gupta said the change was in response to seeing frailer, medically and socially complex patients coming through surgical specialties.
“Once the acute surgical issue has resolved, these patients often still need ongoing medical management.
“By shifting their care to the perioperative team, this initiative aims to improve surgical efficiency by delivering proactive coordinated care," she said.
“The PERM model provides earlier recognition and treatment of medical complications, stronger chronic disease management, and better discharge planning. It also allows for shorter hospital stays with fewer readmissions.”
The project was developed in collaboration with surgical, orthopaedic, ear nose and throat, gynaecology, general medicine, and geriatric medicine departments, with support from nursing, allied health and the hospital executive leadership group.
“This is an exciting step forward for perioperative medicine,” Dr Gupta said.
“We are excited to see how this innovative model will improve outcomes for our most complex patients, strengthen teamwork across specialties, and create a sustainable model that shapes the future of perioperative medicine.”