In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

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Hospital in the Home (HITH) is a hospital replacement service that allows you to receive hospital level care in your home instead of on a hospital ward.

About this service

The most common reason you might be admitted to HITH is to receive antibiotics through a vein (‘intravenous’). This is for more serious infections where antibiotic tablets or capsules are not strong enough to treat the infection. Examples of infections treated include:

  • Skin infection (cellulitis)
  • Urine infection
  • Chest infection
  • Breast infection (mastitis)
  • Bone and joint infection
  • Blood infection
  • Heart valve infection.

You may also be able to use HITH if you need:

  • Intravenous diuretic medication for fluid overload (from heart failure, for example)
  • Intravenous iron for low iron levels
  • Intravenous methylprednisolone for multiple sclerosis
  • INR stabilisation if you’re on a medication called warfarin
  • Intravenous fluid and anti-vomiting medication for dehydration
  • Post-operative support after some operations
  • Help transitioning to community care with an eating disorder.

In addition to nursing and medical care, we also provide acute physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, nutrition, social work, diagnostic pathology, and radiology services as required.

Hospital in the Home is also offered at North Canberra Hospital. You will be admitted to the HITH service where your medical condition is best managed, based on where you live or where appropriate specialty services are offered.

Who we care for

We care for eligible people who:

  • Have a diagnosis which cannot be treated by existing services in the community (such as your GP and community nurses or an outpatient clinic) because it requires more specialized or complex care.
  • Have a diagnosis that can be practically and safely treated at home.
  • Are medically stable. This means you have a safe pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and oxygen levels. Exceptions apply for people in palliative care.
  • Live within the ACT or Queanbeyan and surrounding areas and have a home that is clean and safe for the HITH nurse to visit.
  • Be able to care for yourself or have a friend or family member who can care for you.
  • Have transport available to visit the hospital as required.
  • Have reliable telephone access.

How to access this service

You can be referred to HITH in the following ways

  • If you are an inpatient, your ward doctor may refer you to us to complete your hospital treatment at home.
  • If you are a patient in the Emergency Department, your ED doctor can refer you to our service between 8am and 10pm, every day of the week.

Otherwise, your GP, medical specialist or a nurse practitioner can refer you to us.

What to expect

If you are an inpatient, or patient at the Emergency Department, we will come and see you to check whether you are suitable for HITH. We will explain how our service works.

If you are suited to HITH, we’ll start your initial treatment at the hospital, and you can then go home.

If you have been referred to HITH from outside of the hospital, we will speak to your referring doctor or nurse to make sure HITH is appropriate for you. If it is, we will ask you to see us at the HITH Clinic at Canberra Hospital, or the Emergency Department if it is after 4pm. During this visit we will admit you, run any necessary tests and start treatment.

Once you are admitted to HITH, you will be informed when the nurse will visit you at home. Sometimes, due to either your preference or the requirements of the HITH service, you will be asked to attend the HITH clinic at the hospital instead. You will also need to attend the HITH clinic at the hospital for doctor reviews. The time and frequency of these reviews will depend on your condition.

If you are not suitable for HITH, we will contact another service to provide appropriate care for you. We’ll let your referring doctor/nurse know.

What to bring to your appointment

  • Medicare card
  • Any letters or correspondence from your GP
  • Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
  • Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
  • Medicines you need to take while you are here
  • List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
  • Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports

Where we’re located

You can find us along the corridor between the Emergency Department and the lifts, Building 1, Level 2 (ground level), Canberra Hospital.

We have directions to Canberra Hospital.

Information for referrers

Please see Community HealthPathways for detailed referral criteria and information.

Referral options:

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In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

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Contact us

Switchboard Canberra Hospital
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

Switchboard North Canberra Hospital
(02) 6201 6111

International callers
+61 (2) 6201 6111

Switchboard other hospitals and services
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

The switchboard handles all calls to, from and within the hospital 24 hours/seven days a week