Red Bag Project

• Improving patient experience 
• Reduction in anxieties from missing items that are in the Red Bag
• Improving patient safety by standard paperwork which all care homes use
• Improving communication between services by sharing information
• Treating residents with dignity and respect
• Personal aids available to resident
• Change of clothes to come home in
• Better information allows for quicker diagnosis and discharge

• Up to date baseline information, ready to go with ambulance. You only need to update details on the current episode.
• There will be a smoother handover to ambulance.
• Accurate and up to date clinical info means the Hospital can provide the correct care.
• Less time spent on phone with hospital.
• Hospital can identify care home resident and take the appropriate steps.
• Less likely to misplace important documents contained within the bag.
• Updated information and medicines during discharge shows the care given by the hospital. This will include any changes to care provision.
• Open discussions resulting in better working relationships.

• Smoother, quicker handover from care home and handover to hospital
• Assurance that clinical information is in place
• Red Bag helps identify patient as a care home resident
• Standardised paperwork easier to use
• Know where to look for information required
• Clinical history and baseline info of patient available. Details about current episode available to make quick, informed decisions.
• Better relationship with care homes
• Handovers are not so rushed during a stressful situation

• Smoother admission process with details about the current episode.
• Medical history and clinical information comes from an informed source
• Quick, informed clinical decisions
• Baseline health information prevents therapists from pushing patients too far
• No requirement for multiple tests if there is a thorough history
• Less time spent phoning home for info
• Consistency of care between hospital and care home
• Care home residents can have a smoother discharge process
• Open discussions between care home and hospital

"I find [the Red Bags] extremely useful when they are with the patient, especially with cognitively impaired patients"

_{The Fraility Team, New Cross Hospital, March 2020}