16 May 2008

Aged Care volunteer program at Prince of Wales Hospital receives international award

The ReViVe Aged Care Program implemented at Prince of Wales Hospital has received international recognition for helping to set new standards in the care of older patients.
 
The program was this week awarded the Knight Steel Award by the HELP (Hospital Elder Life Program) Dissemination Program, which is based at Harvard Medical School and the Yale University School of Medicine.
 
The award was presented to the ReViVe committee at the recent sixth annual HELP Conference in Rhode Island and is “in recognition of their innovative implementation of evidence-based practices and excellence in the hospital care of older adults”.
 
The ReViVe Program was introduced to Prince of Wales Hospital in 2003 and recruits community volunteers to provide stimulation and companionship for older patients, with the aim of reducing confusion (delirium) and improving overall quality of care. On the back of the program’s success, ReViVe was extended last year with the aim of preventing falls.
 
Director of Geriatric Medicine, Associate Professor Gideon Caplan, said the ReViVe program had resulted in improved patient outcomes and thanked local volunteers for their ongoing support.
 
“This award represents acknowledgement at an international level that the hospital care for older adults provided at Prince of Wales is of the highest standard,” Dr Caplan said.
 
“By being innovative at this hospital and establishing this program, we have been able to deliver improved patient outcomes, and I congratulate everybody involved on their outstanding work.”
 
Contact program co-ordinator Salle-Ann Ehms on 9382 2014 or email
for more information on how to volunteer.
 
 
Media Enquiries: Samantha Norris, 9382 8226 or 0421 618 793