Sharing our experience in the establishment of a Transitional Living Unit within an acute inpatient rehabilitation ward

Abstract

The establishment of a Transitional Living Unit (TLU) within an acute rehabilitation unit is a novel concept in Singapore. This concept arose when some patients and family had reservations about the patient’s ability to cope at home and that was a barrier to discharge. The Unit admits selected patients for up three days and two nights when they are nearing the end of their inpatient rehabilitation stay. This serves to increase the confidence level of the patient as well as provide a living laboratory to test out the patient’s ability to cope safely just prior to discharge. A multidisciplinary workgroup led by rehabilitation medicine physicians was formed to establish admission criteria, rehabilitation protocols and emergency scenario planning to ensure that the TLU is utilised appropriately. As of January 2019, there was a total of 542 patient episodes, which consisted of 103 overnight admissions and 439 daytime activities of daily living practice sessions. No adverse event has been recorded since the inception of the TLU. We aim to share our experience in the establishment of the TLU and planning of rehabilitation programmes for patients admitted to the TLU.