According to AmericasHealthRankings.org, 16 percent of elderly adults in the US with Medicare insurance returned to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Returning to the hospital within a short period of time after being discharged is costly, can lead to contracting new infections and illnesses and is often avoidable. Hospital readmission rates are used to measure quality of care in a health care system. The most common reasons for hospital readmission include:
- Confusion about what prescribed medications should be taken and when they should be taken.
- Miscommunication by hospital staff of important information, such as test results, to patient’s primary care providers.
- Improper follow-up care after release. Without adequate instruction, patients and family members may not understand how to provide proper care at home.
Here in the Tampa Bay Area and even more specifically in Pinellas County, the rates among individual hospitals can easily rise above the national average. Without a plan in place, many seniors will find themselves in this revolving door. As a private duty home care agency in this high risk area of the county, we have developed a 5 step strategy to help seniors successfully return home and stay home after a hospitalization or rehabilitation stay. Our strategy is focused on preventing a re-hospitalization by giving the patient full support in their recovery. We employ a large team of caregivers to who are well trained to serve in the capacity of a surrogate family member when it comes to providing for the patients’ personal care needs as well as assisting with homemaking duties, cooking, running errands and attending medical appointments. Patients that return home after a hospitalization with proper nutrition, and medication and who attend their regularly scheduled follow up appointments can reduce their risk of a re-hospitalization immensely.
Our 5 step home transition strategy
- All medications are managed by a Bayshore nurse and compliance is monitored
- Fluid intake and nutrition plans set by the patient’s physicians are upheld
- Transportation to follow up appointments is provided
- Rehabilitation exercises are continued
- Fall prevention and patient safety is maintained
All 5 of these strategies have been effective at reducing and often preventing hospitalizations for our clients for the past 30+ years. These factors along with the personal, hands-on care provided by our team of caregivers ensures a successful transition home for seniors as well as providing rest and peace of mind for the family members.
Statistical information from : https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb248-Hospital-Readmissions-2010-2016.jsp