The Community Rapid Response Service (ComRRS) provides health care for people who are at risk of needing to go to hospital with an acute illness, injury or deterioration of a pre-existing condition.
People are referred to Community Rapid Response Service by their General Practitioner, and can expect a response from a ComRRS nurse within 4 hours of referral. ComRRS does not replace an ambulance call when the condition is critical and/or an urgent response is required.
A Nurse Practitioner, community nurses, the person’s usual General Practitioner and other health professionals as required, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists all plan care together with the person referred.
Care can be delivered to people in their home or other appropriate setting in the community such as residential aged care facility. There is no cost for the service, other than usual GP visit and prescription costs.
Some examples of health conditions treated by ComRRS include (but not limited to):
Acute injury or illness e.g. falls, influenza, gastro
Exacerbation of chronic health conditions e.g. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, heart failure, diabetes
Infections e.g. respiratory tract, cellulitis, urinary
Nutritional deficiencies e.g. anaemia, dehydration
Acute renal or urinary conditions e.g. acute urinary retention
Palliative Care.
Some examples of treatments include (but not limited to):
Rapid assessment with direct feedback to the GP
Intravenous antibiotics
Medication management or infusions
Intravenous or subcutaneous fluid
Central venous access device management and support e.g. PICC, Hickmans and Infusaport
Urinary catheter management.
