Articles tagged with Home Care
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 from the University of Texas at Dallas found that family-friendly policies significantly increase productivity and are related to higher labor productivity. The study also discovered a positive relationship between unionization and increased productivity and lower turnover rates.
A study of healthcare professionals reveals persistent barriers to effective transitional care, emphasizing the importance of patient education and provider accountability in reducing complications and rehospitalizations among older adults
A brief coping strategies therapy significantly improves dementia carers' mental health and quality of life, reducing depression and anxiety by 7 times. The START programme is a cost-neutral intervention that can be widely available to support family carers.
A study by home health care nurses found that Depression Care for Patients at Home (Depression CAREPATH) had no effect on the full sample of patients, but showed benefits among those with moderate to severe depression. The intervention improved depression scores in patients with a score of 10 or greater, particularly at three months.
Researchers found that patients who received more accessible primary care had better health-related quality of life and improvements comparable to eliminating early complications of diabetes. Women particularly benefited from doctors being more available, leading to stronger health improvements.
A new study by Simon Fraser University researchers suggests that Canada's consideration of activity-based funding for hospitals may lead to a 'sicker and quicker' discharge of patients, increased readmissions to hospital, and strain on post-acute care services. The study concludes that governments should exercise caution before impleme...
A new study by the University of California, San Francisco reveals that smoking in California costs $18.1 billion annually, with a majority of smokers being 'light' users who abstain on certain days. The study found that smoking-attributable deaths were 17 times higher than those from AIDS and five times higher than those from diabetes.
A demonstration project made progress in introducing a patient-centered medical home approach at safety net practices serving vulnerable populations. Nearly half of practices achieved substantial implementation of key features within four years.
A new study found that prehabilitation physical therapy before joint replacement surgery can significantly reduce the need for postoperative care. The research revealed a 29% reduction in postoperative care use among patients who received preoperative physical therapy, resulting in an adjusted cost savings of $1,215 per patient.
A virtual ward, which provides community-based care for high-risk patients after discharge, did not reduce hospital readmissions as hoped. Despite a large sample size and multiple sites, the study found no significant difference in readmission rates at various time points.
A new study published in JAMA found that the virtual ward model of care did not significantly reduce hospital readmissions or deaths among high-risk adult patients. Despite its conceptual appeal, the model failed to provide a significant benefit in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that care coordination strategies can significantly decrease hospital admissions and emergency department visits among older patients with chronic conditions. However, these approaches were less effective in reducing healthcare usage among individuals with mental illness.
The latest issue of Public Policy & Aging Report lays down a policy prescription for a sustainable system of long-term services and supports. The report provides groundwork for policymakers to build upon, with recommendations on financing, delivery, and workforce issues.
Patients living with COPD want to discuss their palliative care needs with healthcare professionals, but feel uncomfortable bringing it up due to fear of burdening others. Healthcare professionals should not be afraid to initiate conversations about palliative care, as patients understand the seriousness of their condition.
A new grant will test a suite of videos to enhance conversations about advance care planning in nursing homes, aiming to reduce hospitalizations among elderly residents with specific conditions. The study aims to establish a methodology for conducting large pragmatic trials in complex healthcare systems.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that nursing homes implementing extensive culture change efforts experienced improvements in quality of care, including reductions in restraints, feeding tubes, and pressure ulcers. In contrast, those with less implementation saw only slight improvements in Medicare/Medicaid deficiencies.
A nationwide study published in Health Affairs reveals that for-profit home health agencies are significantly more expensive for Medicare than nonprofit agencies, with operating costs accounting for $752 of the difference. Despite their higher costs, for-profits delivered lower-quality care, with patients experiencing more repeat hospi...
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that endurance runners are more likely to die from heat stroke than cardiac events during races. Researchers analyzed data from 14 long-distance races and found 21 serious cases of heat stroke, including two fatalities.
A study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that offering adults in Malawi optional home initiation of HIV care following self-testing increased ART uptake. The results show a significant increase in population-level ART initiations, highlighting the potential of home-based care to improve HIV prevention and treatment.
A cluster randomized trial in Malawi found that adults who received home HIV self-testing were more likely to report positive results and initiate antiretroviral therapy. The study's main finding is that population-level ART initiations increased significantly with the availability of home initiation of care.
A recent study in Iowa found that nearly all adolescents aged 11-16 had ridden an ATV, with most engaging in risky behaviors like riding daily or weekly and not wearing helmets. The authors conclude that prevention efforts should be prioritized to reduce the risk of pediatric ATV crashes.
A RAND Corporation study emphasizes the urgent need to improve long-term care services for people with dementia and their caregivers. The study offers 25 high-impact policy options to address this growing concern, including increasing public awareness, improving access to services, and reducing financial burdens.
Suicides among mental health patients treated at home by crisis resolution home treatment teams have more than doubled in recent years, with an average of 163 deaths in 2010-2011. In contrast, suicides on psychiatric wards fell by over half during the same period.
A Scripps Whittier study shows that text messages can help improve glycemic control in Latino patients with type 2 diabetes. The intervention used text messages to provide healthy nutrition tips, physical activity reminders, and medication adherence encouragement.
A study found that primary care physicians in team-based care models with electronic health records (EHRs) improved their quality of care more than those without EHRs. The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model was associated with significant improvements in care, including better preventive screening and testing.
A population-based observational study found centenarians are more likely to die of pneumonia and frailty, while hospital deaths were higher in England compared to other European countries. The study suggests that better health care provision could enable people to remain in their usual residence and reduce hospital admission at the en...
A Columbia University School of Nursing study found that patients receiving home health care are vulnerable to serious infections due to poor hygiene practices. The research highlights the need for proper training and education for caregivers to prevent infections, particularly among patients with central venous catheters.
A recent study by King's College London found that centenarians in England are more likely to die from pneumonia, with many succumbing to infections. The researchers emphasize the need for tailored health services to address this growing demographic group's increasing frailty and vulnerability.
Colorectal cancer screening should continue beyond age 75 for previously unscreened patients, according to new guidelines. Practices that implement a patient-centered medical home model with electronic health records (EHRs) have shown improved quality of care compared to non-PCMH practices.
A study found that the quality of death for cancer patients in urban Canadian settings with ready access to palliative care was good to excellent in most cases. Factors such as social support, caregiver relationship length, and home death were linked to better scores on a scale measuring the dying experience.
A study led by Purdue University found that medication therapy management by phone reduced hospitalizations by 86% in low-risk Medicare patients, who were three times less likely to be hospitalized. However, the intervention had no significant impact on higher-risk patients, highlighting the need for tailored strategies.
As the US population ages, Alzheimer's disease is projected to increase from 3 million in 2011 to over 10 million by 2050, affecting broad-based national policies. The annual cost of care for people over 70 is estimated at $157-$215 billion, with costs expected to reach $1.2-$1.6 trillion by 2040.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that cognitive impairment affects seniors in both nursing homes and the community, with patients lacking advance directives receiving aggressive care. Advance care planning is essential to ensure desired treatments are followed.
A new study by the RAND Corporation finds that millions of Americans are caring for recently wounded veterans without a formal support network, putting their own well-being at risk. These caregivers often face substantial time demands and health problems, with lost productivity adding to financial strain.
A Baylor University study found that 40% of low-income pregnant women discharged after a false labor diagnosis did not want to leave the hospital. The main reasons were pain and distance from their homes. Receiving written instructions about comfort measures at home improved their satisfaction with care. Comfort is a major aspect of sa...
Researchers found a decline in absolute mortality from severe sepsis, decreasing from 35.0% to 18.4%, resulting in a relative risk reduction of 47.5%. The annual decrease in mortality was consistent across various diagnoses and hospital settings.