New gastroenteritis project cuts hospital time

New gastroenteritis project cuts hospital time for children

3rd October 2007

A new gastroenteritis project at Christchurch Hospital has cut the time children spend in hospital and means invasive interventions can be avoided.

Gastroenteritis is one of the most common illnesses affecting young children. At certain times of the year, particularly spring, more than 10 percent of children admitted to the Children’s Acute Assessment Unit at Christchurch Hospital are under five and have gastroenteritis and associated dehydration.

As part of the project, an oral rehydration tool was developed which teaches parents the most effective way to give their children fluids and provides a chart to record their intake. It means that painful interventions such as the use of intravenous fluids or nasogastric tube rehydration are avoided. If progress is satisfactory the children are able to safely return home to continue rehydration there.

Now oral rehydration is used in nearly 90 percent of gastroenteritis cases, with parents actively involved in children’s care. Parents’ increased understanding of how to keep their children hydrated if they develop gastroenteritis can also prevent other family members needing hospital treatment.

The gastroenterisis and dehydration project is a finalist in the 2007 New Zealand Health Innovation Awards (HIA). It will be competing against 21 other finalists, five of which are also from the Canterbury region.

The HIA, a joint endeavour of the Ministry of Health and ACC, were started in 2003 and recognise individuals and organisations that have developed new and innovative approaches to delivering better health services.

Further information about the HIA is available online at http://www.healthinnovationawards.co.nz

This year’s HIA winners will be announced at the HIA expo and gala dinner held on 10 October at the Wellington Town Hall.

ENDS

© Scoop Media