<img height="1" width="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1124406241028611&amp;ev=PageView &amp;noscript=1">

Prevent Hospital Readmissions – How A Caregiver Can Help

hallway-5979689_1280

Labored breathing, surgical infection, and uncontrolled pains have been some of the reasons for patients' readmission in hospitals. 

Hospital readmissions can be a challenging and costly experience for both patients and caregivers. 

Not only do they disrupt the recovery process, but they can also be emotionally and financially burdensome. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, 15% of senior patients were readmitted in less than a month of being discharged. 

That study revealed that in 2016/17, over 500,000 emergency readmissions were reported by 84 hospitals, and that figure has risen over the past few years.

The study points out that care coordination by the hospital, allied healthcare professionals, and caregivers are vital to keeping people from returning to the hospital. 

Follow through post-discharge care procedures must be communicated and carried out.

In 2022, the International Journal of Heart Failure reported a 11.54% increase in deaths among readmitted patients. This proves much needs to be done asides from giving patients 10-15 minutes of care instruction and pamphlets about their illness.

On the other hand, having a caregiver implement the following measures has reduced patient readmissions:

1. Medication Management: Medication errors and non-adherence significantly contribute to hospital readmissions. Caregivers should take the following steps to ensure proper medication management:

Maintain an up-to-date list of all medications, including dosages and schedules. 

Familiarize yourself with potential side effects and drug interactions. 

Regularly review medications with the healthcare team.

Use medication reminder apps to help with adherence.

2. Home Safety and Fall Prevention: Creating a safe environment at home is crucial to prevent accidents, which can result in hospital readmissions. To avoid this, caregivers should conduct a thorough home safety assessment by:

Removing trip hazards, such as loose rugs  

Installing handrails and grab bars in bathrooms and along staircases. 

Ensure proper lighting in all areas of the home. 

Keep commonly used items within reach.

3. Nutritional Support: Proper nutrition is vital for recovery and preventing complications that may lead to patient readmission. As a caregiver, you can promote healthy eating habits by:

Ensuring the availability of nutritious foods at home. 

Encouraging regular hydration. 

Assisting with meal preparation

4. Regular Follow-up and Preventive Care: After discharge, caregivers should prioritize regular follow-up appointments with the primary care physician or family members involved in the patient's care. Attending these appointments enables early detection and management of potential complications and concerns.

Ezra Home Care understands the importance of proper communication and follow-through of discharge instructions. We are committed to assisting every client to recover safely and successfully after their surgical procedure or acute hospitalization. 

We provide an experienced and reliable team of professionals to ensure a safe, successful transition and continued recovery.

Our team will communicate and collaborate with VNA's, doctors, and hospital/rehab discharge planners to discuss each client's specific care needs, review current medication lists, and confirm follow-up appointments.

Structured "hand-off" communication between the professionals involved improves the quality of care clients receive and may avoid unnecessary re-hospitalization.

Planning for needs such as transportation to and from surgery and follow-up appointments, prescription and equipment pickup, and coordinating care at home for at least the first 24 hours after discharge is imperative. 

Ezra Home Care is available to provide the support needed.

Contact Us

or call us at 617-527-9000


References:

A Place for Mom

The Robert Woods Johnson Foundation

The Bounce Back Effect

Hospital Bounce Back Readmissions

The Bounceback Problem - Slate.com

 

Founded in 2008, Ezra Home Care offers live-in home care, 24-hour care, and hourly senior care.
All our caregivers are state-certified and provide services like personal carehousekeepingcompanionship, help with medication, and transportation assistance. We've spent 15 years refining our caregiver selection process to ensure families' peace of mind. Reach out for details and quotes.

Contact Us

or call us at 617-527-9000

You may also like to read
Jane Zhdanova Sep 26, 2023
Driving with Dementia in Massachusetts

bigstock Old Woman Driving Car 5100813 resized 600Can driving continue after a person has been diagnosed with dementia?

As a general rule, people with early-stage or mild dementia can continue to drive, but only after having a driving evaluation. People with moderate or severe dementia should not drive. Additionally, individuals must be mindful of any further cognitive impairments as they could indicate a change in the
Read More
Alexander Schechter Sep 18, 2023
ALS Life Expectancy: Understanding the Prognosis

For individuals diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the average life expectancy is generally between 2 and 5 years from diagnosis. Yet, variations are expected, with a small percentage of people living much longer, even for decades.

Factors Influencing Life Expectancy

Delving deeper, we find that the journey with ALS is highly individual influenced by many factors. Let's explore them:

Read More
Jessica Zelfand Aug 19, 2023
Private Home Care Services May be Tax Deductible

Tax deduction for Private home care services

Hiring a caregiver for assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, transferring (like moving in and out of bed or a chair), using the bathroom, or managing continence, qualifies as a tax-deductible medical expense. Similarly, care costs for individuals with memory loss, vital for their health and safety, are also tax deductible.

Read More