ERIC Number: EJ1481556
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jul
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: EISSN-1468-3148
Available Date: 2025-07-23
Access to Health Care: Implementation and Outcomes of a Hospital-Based Anaesthesia Protocol for People with Intellectual Disability
Michelle Bellon1,2; Farima Forooziya1; Rodney Mitchell1; Sharon Liberali3; Monica Welsh1; Paul Jones1; Stephanie Searle1
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v38 n4 e70100 2025
Background: People with intellectual disability face numerous barriers to accessing basic preventative health care. This study documents the protocol, process and health outcomes of a multidisciplinary hospital-based Health Care Access Service providing pre-procedure sedation and general anaesthesia for adults with moderate to profound intellectual disability and complexity. Method: In this retrospective quality assurance study, development of the protocol, procedures and outcomes (demographic data, procedures performed and health outcomes) are presented for all patients from commencement of the service for the first 8 month period. Results: Ten people received the service over this time (8 males, 2 females; mean age 30.2 years). Investigation results identified a range of health conditions which are now being appropriately managed. A case study illustrates the process of implementing the protocol, procedures and outcomes, illustrating person-centred and trauma-informed approaches. Conclusions: Service design considerations are discussed from a human rights perspective for future implementation efforts.
Descriptors: Access to Health Care, Program Implementation, Hospitals, Anesthesiology, Intellectual Disability, Health Services, Mild Disabilities, Severe Intellectual Disability, Adults
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1South Australian Intellectual Disability Health Service, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Adelaide, Australia; 2College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; 3Special Needs Unit, SA Dental, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Adelaide, Australia

Peer reviewed
Direct link
