Kōrero mai escalation of care process — Canterbury
Use the Canterbury Kōrero mai (talk to me) process to prompt our staff to respond as quickly as possible to a patient who is getting sicker. You can use Kōrero mai if you are a patient in hospital, whānau (family) of a patient, a patient's carer or a support person.
Canterbury Kōrero mai process
Kōrero mai is a 3 step process.
Speak to the nurse or midwife
Press the call bell or speak to the nurse or midwife caring for you or the nurse or midwife in charge right away. Tell them why you are concerned.
Ask for a doctor review
If you are still concerned after speaking with the nurse or midwife, you can ask them to call for an urgent doctor review, or if you are in the emergency department, ask to speak to the team leader.
Phone to request another medical review
If the doctor has seen you but you are still very concerned you and feel your concerns have not been adequately addressed:
- phone 0800 999 400
You can phone this number 24 hours a day. Ask the operator for help to organise another medical review. The operator will ask you:
- to confirm that your concerns are about you or a patient getting sicker
- your name or the patient's name
- the location — both the ward and room number.
Where you can use this process
Kōrero mai is available in Burwood Hospital wards (excluding AG and BG), Christchurch Hospital and Christchurch Women's Hospital.
When to use Kōrero mai
If you are a patient, use Kōrero mai when you feel your health condition is getting worse and you are worried.
If you are whānau, a carer or a support person, use Kōrero mai when the patient:
- is looking worse or is not doing as well as expected, for example changes in breathing, sleepiness, colour, heartbeat, pain
- shows any behaviour that is not normal for them, for example confusion, anxiety, aggression, restlessness.