Articles tagged with Home Care
In Pakistan, community health workers known as Lady Health Workers (LHWs) reduced stillbirths by 21% and newborn deaths by 15%, despite low coverage. The LHWs delivered a package of preventive and promotive maternal and newborn care interventions, including antenatal care promotion and clean delivery kits.
A new study by Brown University researchers finds that nursing home closures are concentrated in poor, urban areas, leaving millions without choices for long-term care. The closures have been attributed to changing Medicare payment policies and the increasing bifurcation of society into rich and poor.
The study found that nursing home closures were concentrated in minority and poor communities between 1999 and 2008, with a net loss of over 5% of beds. This clustering is particularly concerning given the lack of alternative long-term care services in these areas.
A UCLA-led study found nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke died or were rehospitalized within a year. Hospital mortality and readmission rates varied widely nationwide, indicating opportunities to improve stroke care.
A RAND Corporation study finds that home health care technology can empower patients to self-manage their conditions, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs. Despite its promise, adoption faces obstacles such as restrictive insurance coverage, limited patient readiness, and concerns about product design.
A study of 1,238 families found that children in large group child care facilities developed more respiratory and ear infections before age 2 ½, but fewer later in elementary school. The researchers suggest that early exposure to mild infections may provide protection against future illnesses.
A national survey found that palliative care for patients with dementia has increased, but gaps in coverage and inadequate insurance coverage remain. Interdisciplinary teams, community partnerships, and education are critical strategies for successful palliative care and reducing caregiver burden.
A study by the University of Michigan Health System found that specialists spend over 650,000 work weeks on routine follow-up care for patients with common chronic conditions. Delegating a proportion of this care could create system-wide efficiencies and free up specialists to focus on new patients and complex cases.
The Merck Childhood Asthma Network is investing $4 million in four high-risk cities to manage childhood asthma through evidence-based science, case management, and asthma trigger removal plans. Programs aim to reduce missed school days, symptom days, and improve access to quality healthcare.
A geriatrician calls for improvements to primary care to meet the needs of older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Four processes and three models were identified as effective in providing comprehensive support, improving health outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
Research reveals that immigrant Latino mothers in rural areas need culturally sensitive, affordable, and flexible child care options. Many struggle to communicate with English-speaking providers due to language barriers, hindering their ability to work outside the home.
A recent study found that 66% of preschool-age children in the US exceed the recommended daily screen time limit. The study analyzed data from nearly 9,000 children and found that children spent an average of 4 hours per day on screens, with those in home-based child care exceeding the limit even more.
Two companion studies found that 72% of patients were misdiagnosed with pneumonia upon readmission, leading to overuse of antibiotics and increased healthcare costs. The misdiagnoses were more common among African-Americans and those with lung disease or smoking history.
Research reveals overseas nurses face negative experiences, discrimination, and racism in the UK NHS. The study suggests improving job satisfaction and valuing their skills is crucial for retaining international nurses.
Implementing Medical Home practice model at a federally qualified health center in Connecticut improved patients' compliance with doctors' recommendations, reducing emergency room visits and hospital admissions. The clinic achieved a 95% immunization rate and established processes to increase efficiency.
Briefings will present practical, clinical case studies encountered by callers to PAL-MED CONNECT, focusing on topics such as pain management, opioid safety, and neuropathic pain symptoms. The collaboration aims to provide valuable resources for healthcare professionals seeking expertise in palliative care.
A telemedicine-based depression care protocol was successfully implemented in home health care, with high patient satisfaction and significant improvement in depression severity. The pilot study's findings offer encouragement for expanding this program to reach elderly individuals who can experience a better quality of life.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine are investigating how expanded insurance coverage in Massachusetts affects cardiovascular care and outcomes, with a focus on vulnerable populations. The center aims to understand the impact of health reform on access to care and clinical outcomes.
A Canadian Patient Safety Institute-led research team, led by Dr. Diane Doran and Dr. Régis Blais, has been awarded $1 million to investigate the safety risks of healthcare services provided in homes. The two-year study aims to improve patient safety outcomes in home care services.
A retrospective study of 223 patients with terminal cancer found that opioid use was both safe and effective in the home setting. Patients who received higher doses had a longer median survival time compared to those who received lower doses.
A review of published papers and professional guidelines highlights the challenges healthcare professionals face when caring for patients who use medicinal cannabis. The study suggests that nurses need ongoing support and guidance to provide the best care while respecting patients' rights.
A Canadian study published in CMAJ found that home care after hip surgery in seniors significantly increases survival rates. The study of 11,326 patients aged 65 and older revealed that those who received home care were 43% less likely to die within three months of the procedure.
Oil rig workers increasingly rely on telemedicine to receive medical attention due to limited access to healthcare. The use of technology enables real-time communication between nurses and emergency physicians, reducing response times and improving patient care.
A Penn State study found that home health aides who received training had lower injury rates and higher job satisfaction. Training also reduced turnover intentions, benefiting both employees and organizations. Employees' perceptions of their training and workplace played a crucial role in their risk of injury.
A new primary care model called the patient-centered medical home has the potential to reduce diagnostic errors by focusing on teamwork, communication, and patient empowerment. The model emphasizes comprehensive and coordinated care, facilitated by partnerships between patients, their physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
Physicians who provided Guided Care reported higher levels of satisfaction with patient/family communications and knowledge of their patients' clinical characteristics. The study found significant benefits to physicians in improving chronic care, including reduced costs and improved health outcomes.
Research from the University of Warwick and the University of West England calls for social care home workers to be trained in basic clinical nursing skills to provide high-quality care as residents' needs increase. The report also highlights cultural barriers, such as ageism, that hinder care delivery.
A study on preschoolers in licensed day care homes found that children's cortisol levels increase when they are in care, exceeding home levels. Cortisol increases are larger in day care homes where providers are overcontrolling.
The medical home prototype improved quality of care, patient experiences, and clinician well-being, with significant cost savings through reduced emergency visits and hospitalizations. The study's findings support the model's ability to address healthcare concerns and provide recommendations for implementation.
Researchers developed an 'asthma medical home' to address patient symptoms and environment, leading to a 63% decrease in emergency department visits and 62% reduction in inpatient hospitalization rates. This comprehensive approach empowers families to manage asthma symptoms, improving health outcomes.
A new study found that child care directors in metropolitan Milwaukee would unnecessarily exclude 57% of children with mild illnesses from care. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association have established guidelines to address this issue, but their implementation remains inconsistent.
A novel 'medical home' program at UCLA significantly reduced emergency room visits among participating families, with a 55% decrease in ER visits. The program's effectiveness was attributed to continuous, accessible outpatient care and coordinated care coordination.
A study found that nearly half of dying cancer patients visit the emergency department in the last two weeks of life, often due to uncontrolled symptoms. Effective palliative care can help manage these symptoms and reduce visits to the emergency department.
A study of Medicare data found that elderly ICU patients who survive hospital discharge have a high rate of death in the following years, particularly those receiving mechanical ventilation. Discharge to skilled care facilities also increases long-term mortality.
A study published in Palliative Medicine recommends improving communication strategies to enhance palliative care for UK patients. The authors suggest using special notes and electronic summaries to facilitate better care coordination.
Researchers developed a standard checklist to facilitate safe administration of sedation at home, finding that PS does not hasten death and is used more frequently in hospitals. The study's findings aim to ease concerns about using palliative sedation in home care settings.
A UAB-led study found that training birth attendants in essential newborn-care techniques reduced stillbirths by over 30% globally. The train-the-trainer program improved perinatal mortality rates, particularly among low-cost interventions such as neonatal resuscitation and kangaroo care.
Chronic illness patients supported by nurse-physician teams rate primary care as significantly higher than usual care recipients. Guided Care improves coordination with specialists, self-management support, and goal-setting assistance.
A Cochrane Systematic Review found that home-based nursing in HIV/AIDS patients significantly improves self-reported knowledge of HIV, awareness of medications, and self-reported adherence to medication programmes. Home-based care also had a positive impact on HIV stigma, worry, and physical functioning.
The study found that post-Katrina primary care clinics in New Orleans provided efficient and affordable healthcare to low-income and uninsured patients. The clinics reported lower instances of medical debt, delayed appointments, and inadequate communication with doctors compared to the general population.
A new study by Brown University finds that Hispanic elderly are more likely than whites to live in poor-quality nursing homes, facing structural problems, staffing issues, and financial trouble. The research highlights the need for better quality care and policy changes to address these disparities.
A new study by University of Cincinnati nephrologists reveals that dialysis patients admitted to long-term care hospitals experience high readmission rates and often do not recover full kidney function. Only 30% of patients with acute kidney failure recovered enough to come off dialysis, while 70% remained dependent.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that home-based HIV care is an effective strategy, relying less on clinical staff and hospital services than facility-based care. This approach provides large savings for patients and could improve equitable access to HIV treatment, especially in areas with scarce clinical infrastructure.
Only 2,300 children out of 30,000 to 40,000 in care are adopted annually; youth in care face higher hospitalization rates and justice system involvement. Experts advocate for easier adoption processes, including support for adoptive parents and breaking down provincial barriers.
The survey found that half of US doctors spend substantial time dealing with insurance restrictions on patient care, while only 46% use electronic medical records. Many US physicians also report patients having difficulty paying for medications and care, and that their practices do not have provisions for after-hours care.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that home healthcare nurses are at risk of needlestick-type injuries, with nearly 10,000 reported annually. The study also revealed a correlation between stressful household conditions and increased risk of needlesticks.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have successfully implemented an interdisciplinary multisite fourth-year geriatrics clerkship, meeting all ambulatory core geriatric competencies. The program exposes medical students to various settings and diagnoses, enabling them to provide appropriate care for older adults.
A one-year evaluation demonstrates the benefits of the patient-centered medical home model, which provides personalized care, prevention, and coordination. The study found significantly fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations among patients with access to a medical home.
A study by Russell Belk explores how societal changes impact sharing, highlighting threats like individualization and decline of public education, but also finds healthy models in online communities and forums. Belk suggests promoting sharing through an expanded sense of self and shared ownership.
A study found that MRSA was present in 12.7% of hospital patients before discharge to home health care, and nearly one-fifth of infected patients transmitted the organism to household contacts. Household contacts who played a role in providing healthcare were more likely to be colonized with MRSA.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that guided care patients spent 24% fewer hospital days and 37% fewer skilled nursing facility days compared to usual care. Guided Care programs could save Medicare over $15 billion every year, according to the study.
A telemedicine project at the University of Rochester Medical Center has improved quality of life and motor function for Parkinson's patients in nursing homes. The system, utilizing a laptop, software, and web camera, enables specialists to conduct virtual visits with trained nurses, reducing travel burden and costs.
Group Health Cooperative's Patient-Centered Medical Home pilot showed significant success, reducing emergency room visits by 29% and inpatient hospital stays for patients with chronic conditions. The model also improved care team satisfaction and patient experience, leading to long-term cost savings.
A new study suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease can lead to significant cost savings and improved quality of life for patients and their families. The research estimates that earlier intervention could save billions of dollars in long-term care costs, while also providing positive social benefits.
A study by NUI Galway found that older people living in residential care need a holistic approach to maintain a good quality of life. Key factors include the ethos of care, sense of self and identity, connection with others and activities.
A $6 million initiative supports 68 community health centers in Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Pennsylvania to become patient-centered medical homes. The goal is to improve coordinated care, access, and quality improvements for over 500,000 patients.
A randomized controlled trial in Kampala showed that home delivery of prepackaged artemether-lumefantrine had little effect on clinical outcomes and led to overuse of the drug. The study suggests that standard care in health facilities is a more effective approach, especially in urban areas with low malaria transmission.
A study by Brown University researchers found that nursing homes serving primarily Hispanic residents provided poorer quality care, including higher rates of bed sores. The study looked at data from California, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado and found disparities in care related to racial segregation.
Researchers studied ICU patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and found that those with greater organ failure and higher benzodiazepine doses were more likely to experience depression after discharge. The study suggests that certain aspects of critical illness and ICU care may contribute to depression.
A national study found that nearly 20% of patients discharged from the hospital are rehospitalized within 30 days, often due to lack of follow-up care. The study highlights the need for hospitals and doctors to focus on preventing readmissions through coordinated care and patient education.