WCH Emergency Services - Family MET Call

Women's and Children's Hospital

Family MET Call - Medical Emergency Team

Do you feel you are not being heard? Are you worried about a recent change in your condition or that of your loved one?

If you ever need help urgently, use the call bell and press 3 times.

This gets ward staff to the room immediately.

The following information is provided to guide you through the steps so you will know how to get help when you are worried about a patient's condition worsening, not doing as well as expected, or not improving despite treatment.

STEP 1: Talk to a nurse, midwife or doctor about your concerns.

They will listen to your concerns and perform an assessment, and consider if further tests or treatment are required. In many cases they may be able to help you resolve your concerns. They may request a clinical review by the doctor or activate a MET call. It depends on the situation. Our nurses, midwives and doctors are trained to recognise deterioration and have access to support when needed.

STEP 2: If you are still worried...

Talk to the nurse or midwife in charge of the shift.

STEP 3: If you are still worried...

Option 1: Direct the nurse or midwife to make a Family MET call. The nurse, midwife and doctor caring for you will support you in your decision to activate a Family MET call and this will be done promptly.
Option 2: Patients, or their family and carers can activate a Family MET call to escalate care on their own.

How? Dial 33# on the bedside or ward desk phone and ask for a "Family MET call".
Then provide the patient's name, age, location, ward, and room number.

Help will be on its way.

What is a MET call?

Calling a MET call will bring a specialised team to the bedside. MET is short for Medical Emergency Team. When a MET call is made by someone, the team comes quickly to assess, treat and plan further care for the patient.

What is a family MET call?

A Family MET call is the same team as a MET call. The reason for the name difference is to help the switchboard operator. They will know it is a consumer calling and will ask you a few questions because we want to make sure the right team gets to the right patient.

Will I offend staff if I ask for a Family MET Call?

No. We value your participation in care. We understand that you know yourself or your loved one better than anyone. This is why we want you to let us know if you notice a worrying change.

Here at the Women's and Children's Hospital, we aim to work in partnership with our patients and their family and carers. Our patients get the best outcomes when we all work together as a team.

Resources

"You're worried, we're listening" poster – patients  (606kb)

"You're worried, we're listening" – consumer brochure  (828kb)

"You're worried, we're listening"– Patient and Staff Partnership
      – information sheet  (87kb)

You're worried, we're listening  (SA Health internet site)

Do you feel you are not being heard? – poster for CAMHS (991kb)

Do you feel you are not being heard? – poster for Helen Mayo House (1.3mb)