Recently, hospitals have come under fire due to their increasing rates of patient readmissions. AARP reports that the high cost of readmissions led the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to take action after a study revealed that approximately one in five Medicare recipients discharged from the hospital return within one month. While Medicare does its part to ensure the safety of discharged patients, you can take control of your loved one's well-being by implementing the following strategies.
Understand the Discharge Instructions
Patients and their family members should never leave the hospital without fully understanding their discharge instructions. Often, busy medical staff will deliver these instructions quickly, and a patient may be groggy due to medications. Avoid confusion by making sure all instructions are written down, and delegate a caregiver to be responsible for ensuring that all aftercare instructions are followed.
Eliminate Fall Risks
Fall prevention is critical following a surgery that impairs your loved one's mobility. Before they come home, make sure there is a clear walking path through their living areas, and consider setting up a recovery room with easy access to the bathroom and kitchen. If their medications list dizziness or fatigue as side effects, then it is important to ensure a responsible person is nearby to help them with their daily activities until they know how the medication will affect their abilities.
Ensure Proper Nutrition
Patients often underestimate the importance of nutrition for healing, and your loved one may not be up to grocery shopping and preparing meals right away. Assess their kitchen pantry, and stock it with essential items that are easy to prepare, such as soup. If your loved one is expected to have a lengthy recovery, then it is beneficial to consider scheduling for meal services during the first several weeks.
Establish a Plan for Personal Care
Doing too much too soon is a serious concern for independent-minded adults. Although no one wants to have help with personal hygiene tasks, it may be a necessity. Stepping into a slippery bathtub or attempting to reach behind their back to zip up a dress could all lead your loved one to experience a new injury. If your loved one balks at the prospect of a family member assisting with bathing and toileting, professional in-home caregivers can offer a solution to sensitive areas of their care.
Staying on guard following a hospital discharge is the best way to avoid painful injuries and costly readmissions. While hospitals do their part to ensure patient safety, you can help end the cycle of readmissions by planning ahead. Creating a safe environment that takes into account all of your loved one's daily living needs will give them the best chance for a full recovery. Contact a company like Accu-Care Nursing Service Inc for professional assistance during this tricky time.
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