50+ Lifestyles

Reducing Hospital Readmission through the Use of Home Health Care

By Marie A. Wisely
Choice Home Health Care, CPHQ-Agency Administrator

The United States continues to spend more on health care than any other industrialized nation. On average $8,915 is spent per person per year on health care, reaching a total of $2.8 trillion. Hospitalizations account for nearly one-third of the total spent on health care in the United States. In many situations, hospitalization is appropriate. However, a portion of hospitalizations are patients returning to the hospital after previous treatments. Re-hospitalizations are costly and often avoidable. According to the Institutes of Health Improvements (2013), “The rate of avoidable re-hospitalization can be reduced by improving core discharge planning, utilizing home health care to ease the transition processes out of the hospital; improving transitions and care coordination at the interfaces between care settings; and enhancing coaching, education, and support for patient self-management” (p 1).
The majority of patients are sent home from the hospital with no regular support services in the home. Without someone to monitor the patient’s medications, nutrition, mobility and wound issues such as infection, a fall or medication error can easily send a patient back to the hospital.  A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that unplanned Medicare hospital readmissions occur on average 20 percent of the time, costing approximately $17 billion a year. Of those readmitted, half of the patients had not had the opportunity for follow-up care by their doctor before being readmitted.
Home health care is an excellent resource for patients recently discharged from the hospital.  It is cost effective, one on one and can be personalized to fit any schedule or lifestyle.  Home care can reduce readmissions by:

•  Facilitating a partnership with the patient, their doctor
•  Proactively identifies any issues with recovery that could turn into a readmission
•  Provides 24 hour triage for patients and families
•  Offers ongoing education and support to the patient and family
•  Ensures compliance with doctor directed treatment plans
•  Monitoring vital signs
•  Identify and mitigate potential dangers in the home
•  Provides encouragement and support to patients
•  Manage follow-up visits and care

Choice Home Health Care has post-surgical and hospitalization packages available which can be customized to fit any budget and need. Our Registered Nurse will meet with the patient and their family and develop a customized care plan in conjunction with their doctor. Please call Choice at (563) 345-6530 for a free in home assessment.
References:
http://www.ihi.org/topics/readmissions/Pages/default.aspx
New England Journal of Medicine