Articles tagged with Home Care
Children discharged from hospital infrequently receive home health care (HHC) and facility-based post-acute care (PAC), according to a national study. HHC is most commonly used for neonatal care, while PAC facilities treat non-neonatal respiratory, musculoskeletal, and trauma-related problems.
Researchers found that uninsured children have the lowest and most unstable medical home experiences, despite being in greatest need of constant, quality care. The study emphasizes the need for extra efforts to ensure all children have access to quality healthcare, even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
A study found that hospice patients experience multiple care transitions near the end of life, with more than half going to hospitals. These transitions are often associated with younger or non-white patients, those with multiple chronic conditions, or in-patient hospice care. The number of transitions varies widely by state.
A recent study found that 64% of Chinese caregivers accept their role in caring for a stroke survivor as a natural part of life. The study also revealed that providing support during adversity is viewed as an expression of love among family members.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that immigrant children with special health needs are more likely to lack a true 'medical home', despite growing popularity of the model. The disparity affects even American-born children whose parents are foreign-born, highlighting the need for family-centered care coordination.
A study comparing end-of-life care practices among US, European, and Canadian countries found that the US has lower hospital deaths and days spent in hospitals in the last six months of life. However, it also performs poorly in other aspects of end-of-life care, such as high-tech interventions.
A new UCLA study found that hospitals with shorter lengths of stay and higher readmission rates tend to use more post-acute care services. This can lead to patients being discharged prematurely, resulting in higher readmission rates.
Transforming primary care practices into 'medical homes' requires substantial investments, with median one-time costs ranging from $7,694 to $117,810 per practice. Ongoing costs include adding staff and investing in information technology, constituting a significant financial burden for small medical practices.
Research by University of Huddersfield experts highlights the need for nationwide improvements in staff knowledge and skills to prevent pressure ulcers. The team's findings suggest that a national education programme is necessary to promote patient health-related quality of life and reduce healthcare costs associated with pressure damage.
A new study suggests that patient-administered antimicrobial infusions at home can achieve similar or better outcomes compared to traditional healthcare-delivered options. The research found lower rates of hospital readmission and similar mortality rates among uninsured patients who self-administered antibiotics at home.
A new RAND Corporation study found that home health visits can lead to a 14% reduction in hospital admissions and a lower risk of nursing home admissions among Medicare beneficiaries. The program, called HouseCalls, involves comprehensive geriatric assessments and referrals to community providers.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends that the new Minister of Health enact a national pharmacare program, letting science guide health policy decisions. The editors also emphasize the importance of defending the Canada Health Act and focusing on social determinants of health.
NYU Langone will launch the NYU Caregiver Integrated Support and Services Access Program (CISSAP) to offer counseling, support, and services to New York City caregivers. The program aims to improve quality of life and reduce caregiver burden for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from NYU Langone found that reducing post-surgery care referrals to facilities did not increase readmission rates, while improving patient recovery and reducing costs. The hospital implemented a program to discharge more patients home for recovery, with significant drops in facility referrals.
A new study found that children from chaotic homes who attended more hours of child care experienced better cognitive, emotional and social development. Higher degrees of household chaos were associated with less optimal executive functioning, weaker vocabularies and worse social behavior.
A comprehensive care program involving a team of specialists from multiple medical disciplines has reduced hospital readmissions for seniors due to falls by 10%. The multidisciplinary approach emphasizes early intervention and patient-centered care, leading to improved safety outcomes and reduced risk of future complications.
New research from the American Heart Association found that heart failure patients who face lack of social support and practical barriers such as transportation are less likely to benefit from supervised aerobic physical activity. In contrast, those with higher perceived social support and fewer barriers exercised more, on average.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) released a position paper exploring the factors driving growth of 'concierge' and other direct patient contracting practices. The paper offers nine recommendations to mitigate potential adverse impacts on access for lower-income patients.
A systematic review of 61 studies found that when missing preferences are included, the majority of those questioned preferred to die at home. However, the large amount of missing data makes it unclear whether home is where most participants with cancer or other conditions preferred to die.
A new UCLA study found that having a routine place for well and sick care is the most reliable predictor of whether a child will be readmitted to hospital. The study also revealed that parents' confidence in their children's continued good health is closely correlated with fewer unplanned readmissions.
A new study published in BMC Medicine found that dying at home is associated with a similar amount of pain compared to hospital deaths, and reduced grief for relatives. The study highlights the importance of access to comprehensive home care packages and facilitation of family caregiving.
A national effort helped Connecticut rebalance long-term care services, transitioning over 2,200 residents to community settings. This increased overall quality of life and life satisfaction among participants.
An expert argues that home is not always the best or preferred place to die, and that hospitals should be given more attention and resources for providing excellent end-of-life care. Dr. Kristian Pollock highlights the need for improved pain control and support services in both home and hospital settings.
Researchers found that patients with advanced cancer are willing to pay more for aspects of a good end-of-life experience compared to healthy older adults. Both groups highly value high-quality healthcare experiences, including being treated with respect and receiving coordinated care. The study suggests that health reform efforts shou...
A new Brown University study found that patients who require high-cost services like hospital, at-home, or nursing home care are more likely to switch from private Medicare Advantage plans to traditional Medicare. This shift occurs despite federal policy aimed at preventing it, raising questions about the effectiveness of current regul...
Katie Maslow, MSW, of the Institute of Medicine, has been chosen as the 2015 recipient of the Maxwell A. Pollack Award for Productive Aging. She will receive the award for her innovative programs that demonstrate excellence in translating research into practical application or policy.
A recent study suggests that experienced skilled nursing facilities are more likely to successfully discharge patients back to the community within 30 days of breaking a hip. Facilities with over 24 cases in the prior year had a discharge rate of 43.7%, compared to 18.8% for those with fewer cases.
The Lancet Oncology Commission highlights the vital role of primary care doctors in preventing, detecting, survivorship, and palliative care. Effective integration between primary and specialist care is crucial to meet the growing demand for cancer care.
A recent study found that cardiologists failed to identify over half of basic and nearly 35% of advanced pre-recorded murmurs. However, a 90-minute training session significantly improved their ability to recognize indications of heart conditions.
The NYU College of Nursing's 'Community/Clinical Primary Care of Older Adults Program' aims to integrate geriatrics with primary care and community resources. The program will provide education and support for older adults, families, and caregivers, promoting healthy aging and managing chronic diseases.
A recent study found that dementia patients and caregivers prefer increased funding for caregiving support and resources over research for an Alzheimer's cure. The majority of respondents ranked financial resources for respite care, long-term care support, and advocacy as top priorities.
A new study finds that waiving the 3-day rule in Medicare Advantage plans results in shorter hospital stays, with a net difference of 0.7 fewer days on average, and may lead to cost savings for these plans without compromising patient outcomes.
A Dartmouth study found that NICU admission rates are rising among normal birth weight and term infants, raising concerns about the necessity of such care. The study's findings suggest that increased admissions may be due to overuse of NICU services, potentially leading to increased costs, stress, and exposure to invasive medical tests.
A 15-year trend analysis found decreased rates of all-cause mortality, hospitalization, and expenditures among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older. Average inflation-adjusted inpatient expenditures per beneficiary declined from $3,290 to $2,801, indicating improved healthcare outcomes.
A Harvard Medical School study found that symptom checkers are roughly equivalent to telephone triage lines and better than general Internet-search self-diagnosis in suggesting whether users should seek medical care. However, the tools often encourage overly cautious advice, which can lead to unnecessary medical visits.
A new study found that nursing homes with higher concentrations of racial and ethnic minority residents have improved care, with increases in Medicaid payments associated with reduced clinical care deficiencies. Despite disparities remaining, the progress suggests a narrowing gap in quality of care over time.
The Independence at Home Medicare demonstration program saved over $25 million in the first year by improving geriatric care and reducing hospital readmissions. The program, which provides home-based medical care through house calls, resulted in improved patient satisfaction and reduced healthcare costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
A new study by Indiana University researchers finds that the Aging Brain Care Medical Home program reduces depressive symptoms in two-thirds of patients and caregiver stress by 50%.
The US will need an additional 2.5 million long-term care workers by 2030 due to an aging population, according to a UCSF study. The occupations with the highest growth rate are home health and personal care aides, which will require over 1 million new jobs.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that resuming angiotensin receptor blockers within two days after surgery decreases death rates in the first month following surgery. Resuming these medications also reduced rates of infection, pneumonia, heart failure and kidney failure.
A three-year study shows significant improvements in quality and use of medical services relative to comparison practices. Medical home interventions that paid bonuses based on financial savings improved diabetes care, breast cancer screening, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and primary care visits.
The American College of Cardiology promotes team-based care for cardiovascular patients, valuing honesty, discipline, and creativity. Teams should receive feedback on shared goals and have flexible leaders who prioritize patient care.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that electronic health records (EHRs) did not demonstrate better quality of care or clinical outcomes for ischemic stroke patients. Despite their potential benefits, EHRs were associated with only a slightly lower risk of prolonged hospital stays.
Researchers investigated parents' attitudes towards illness and decisions on sending children to daycare with respiratory tract infections. The study found that parents often view coughs and colds as less serious and contagious than other illnesses.
The Indiana University Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute will expand their long-term care model OPTIMISTIC to target high rates of hospitalization among older adults in nursing homes. The grant aims to improve care, reduce hospitalizations, and increase access to palliative care.
Elder abuse affects 5-10% of seniors and is associated with hospital admissions, reduced quality of life, and death. Physicians can help prevent it by being aware of risk factors and using validated screening tools like the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index.
A new study published in JPEN found that using peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) for one additional infusion day per week significantly reduced the time before a first bloodstream infection. In contrast, managing tunneled vascular access devices by home care nurses increased the mean incidence of such infections.
A study by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus highlights the need for better communication between hospital clinicians and primary-care physicians to prevent missed test results and hospital readmissions. The researchers found that establishing accountability for pending tests and home health care via formal service agreeme...
A large national survey found that nursing home directors with greater palliative care knowledge experienced less aggressive end-of-life care, including reduced use of feeding tubes and emergency room visits. This association suggests that improving staff knowledge could lead to better care for thousands of residents.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that female health workers deployed to a remote rural area in northern Nigeria led to significant increases in healthcare service utilization. The program showed a 500% increase in health post visits, sustained over two years.
The study found that transcatheter mitral valve repair was successful for 91.8% of patients and reduced mitral regurgitation to mild or less in 63.7%. Institutional experience had a bearing on procedural success but not major adverse outcomes.
A new Australian study has found that women who give birth in a public hospital are more confident parents compared to those who have private births. The study found that public hospitals provide more after-hospital health care, leading to increased maternal satisfaction and confidence as new parents.
A new simplified feeding approach improves growth and reduces hospital stays in NICU babies. The program results in earlier oral feeds and exclusive oral feeding, leading to shorter stays and lower costs.
A $14 million, five-year PCORI award funds the first statewide study of its kind to examine the effectiveness of comprehensive post-stroke care in improving daily function and reducing caregiver stress. The COMPASS study will compare patients who receive existing stroke treatment with those who receive comprehensive services at home.
The editorial highlights the need for bold action to improve end-of-life care in nursing homes, focusing on symptom control, advance care planning, and high-quality palliative care. Nursing home providers are urged to prioritize training staff in these areas to ensure better support for patients and their families near the end of life.
A study published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that 12% of patients admitted from care homes had high sodium levels, compared to 1% from their own homes. Dehydration is a significant concern for elderly and infirm people who may require assistance with drinking.
A new study reveals that hospital case managers rarely provide patients with quality data on at-home care providers, despite state and federal reports being available online. The researchers found that only a few case managers were aware of these reports, and even fewer shared this information with patients.
The OPTIMISTIC program uses specially trained RNs to review hospital transfers and identify areas for quality improvement, aiming to reduce preventable hospitalizations by up to 50% in nursing home residents.
A randomized clinical trial found that comprehensive care for high-risk children with chronic illness reduced the number of serious illnesses by 55% and total hospital and clinic costs per child-year. The study suggests that medical homes can be a cost-effective option for these patients.
A study published in JAMA found that the High Risk Children's Clinic reduced serious illnesses by 55% and total costs by $16,523 per child per year compared to usual care. The clinic provided comprehensive care with an emphasis on prompt and effective treatment.