A new model of patient care, known as EPCO (Enhanced Patient Care and Observation), has been rolled out across the South Eastern Trust, to help reduce distress and agitation and support a more positive hospital experience for patients and their families.
Lead Nurse Governance and Patient Safety, Heidi Spence, explained that the aim of EPCO is to reduce patient distress while ensuring safety and comfort during a hospital stay.
Heidi said, “Our goal through EPCO focuses on prioritising early engagement with patients, as they are assessed by Nursing staff, to identify what level of support they require to help a patient feel as calm and supported as possible.
“Sometimes, patients in hospital can become confused, distressed or unsettled. This can be due to illness, infection, Dementia or sudden changes in environment. When this happens, our priority is always to provide compassionate support and ensure the person remains safe and comfortable.
“Through EPCO, a trained member of our Nursing staff stays close to a patient who needs that extra support. Our staff focus is on understanding the patient, their routines and what helps them feel more settled and relaxed. Enhanced observation is very much centred around the patient.”
Heidi shared how through conversation, gentle reassurance and supporting a patient’s orientation while they are on the ward, this helps reduce distress, builds trust and promote wellbeing.
Staff Nurse, Rachel McCracken shared how helpful she finds using the EPCO system. “We have a lot of patients who present with a Delirium background, who have a history of Dementia, so we find using EPCO useful to help with the level of care that we are providing.”
Rachel continued, “With EPCO, the patient’s needs are being met and their safety, while on the ward, is always considered. It is really important that the patient’s family feel that they are safe here and we make sure that they are included in the whole process of EPCO as well.”
Lead Nurse for Quality Improvement, Alison Bartlett commented how she has been supporting the Nursing staff on the ward with, “Quality Improvement coaching to help with the implementation of EPCO across the Trust and to ensure its sustainability.
“By working closely with EPCO Champions on the ward, we are supporting Nurses to deliver therapeutic, person-centred care tailored to each patient, ensuring care is safe, consistent and responsive.”