Articles tagged with Home Care
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Oregon's end-of-life care approach is characterized by higher rates of home hospice use and fewer hospitalizations, while Washington lags behind in implementing similar initiatives. The state's POLST Program has been instrumental in honoring patients' wishes and improving symptom management.
Researchers found no decline in primary care availability despite the millions of newly insured individuals. Appointment rates and wait times remained stable or increased slightly in some states, supporting the possibility that primary care capacity was sufficient to absorb the new patients.
A retrospective analysis of 30,112 home-care clients with dementia found that chronic comorbidities significantly increase the risk of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The study suggests that targeting high-risk individuals may help prioritize healthcare resources.
A tailored preventive oral health intervention significantly improved the cleanliness of teeth and dentures among elderly home care clients. Functional ability and cognitive function were strongly associated with better oral hygiene in this study from the University of Eastern Finland.
Most nursing home residents are inactive, with only one-fifth engaging in outings or excursions. Increasing resident engagement through daily activities is crucial for their thriving in care, according to a Swedish study.
A study of nearly 12,000 records found that community-based palliative care reduced emergency department visits for dying patients by an average of two times per year. Patients receiving palliative care were more likely to live in urban areas and have a partner, leading to significant reductions in ER visits.
Nurse practitioners have surpassed doctors in providing house calls, with over 1.13 million visits in 2013, according to a new study. However, regulations in many states are limiting the profession's growth and increasing demand for in-home care.
A new healthcare model integrating obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, and behavioral health has significantly reduced the utilization of emergency services and hospital days for pregnant women and their newborns. The study found annual savings of over $800,000 for pregnant women and $1.6 million for newborns.
The US has shifted from institutional to community-based long-term care, allowing individuals to choose services at home and in the community. Self-directed care programs improve participant well-being and cost containment, according to The Gerontological Society of America's Public Policy & Aging Report.
A new analysis of US health spending reveals that just 20 conditions account for half of all spending, with diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and low back and neck pain being the top three. Total personal health care spending reached $2.4 trillion in 2013, with women aged 85 and older spending the most per person on healthcare.
A national study led by Boston Children's Hospital found that families provide an estimated $36 billion worth of unpaid medical care to 5.6 million children with special health care needs. The study also estimates a loss of $18 billion in household income due to parents taking time off work to care for their children.
A new study by USC researchers finds that US families provide nearly $36 billion in uncompensated medical care to children with special health care needs each year. These caregivers spend an estimated 5.1 hours per week providing care, which can be time-intensive and emotionally stressful.
A new study finds that middle-aged patients with psychosis are incurring significant costs in long-term care facilities and with hospitalization, highlighting the need to address both mental and physical health in younger patients. Chronic psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, are associated with high health care costs due to you...
A Cardiff University study found that home-based rehabilitation significantly improves visual function and daily life for people with low vision. Home visits by visual rehabilitation officers led to a greater improvement in visual function compared to standard hospital appointments.
A recent study by University at Buffalo researchers found that nearly 90% of nursing home patients do not take advantage of dental services, even when they are free. The longer a patient stayed at the facility, the more likely they were to use dental services, but only 55% of patients used them during their stay.
Researchers found that palliative care treatment reduced hospital admissions and difficult transitions for older adults with serious illnesses in nursing homes. Palliative care consultations earlier in the illness also improved outcomes.
Researchers assess documentation of advance care planning preferences in Indiana nursing homes, finding that a majority of residents have orders for CPR. The study aims to identify ways to improve practice and ensure time is taken to discuss and record preferences, increasing the likelihood that treatment wishes will be honored.
A randomized controlled trial found that physiotherapy treatment for mild to moderate ankle sprains has little clinical benefit compared to basic self-management. Fewer than half of patients achieved 'excellent recovery' by six months in the physiotherapy group.
Testing for HPV types 16 and 18 in women with minor cervical lesions may help determine which patients should be referred to colposcopy. This approach could lead to more precise patient management and reduced healthcare burden.
Researchers found that post-acute care, specifically nursing home factors, had a significant impact on long-term recovery for hip fracture patients. Higher-level physician staffing and lower occupancy rates were associated with better outcomes.
A new study from Indiana University found that a low-cost workforce model can effectively reduce depression burden in primary care. The ABC Medical Home program, which utilizes trained and scalable care coordinator assistants, resulted in a 50% decrease in depression severity over six months.
A new study highlights the importance of advance care planning in nursing homes, where most residents prefer less aggressive treatment and comfort care over life-extending measures. The study found that formal conversations facilitated by specially trained nurses resulted in changes to care plans about two-thirds of the time.
A study by Brown University researchers found that hospital readmission history is a strong predictor of future readmissions after controlling for key confounding factors. The analysis showed that patients are going to skilled nursing facilities based on logistics-related preferences rather than the severity of their illness.
A study by the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and Regenstrief Institute found that employing nurse practitioners significantly improves transfer process resulting in fewer errors and safer care. The OPTIMISTIC program led to a 21% decrease in hospitalizations.
A home-based palliative care (HBPC) program for individuals with advanced illnesses was associated with significant cost savings and improved quality of care. The study found a mean total cost of care per person reduced by $12,000, fewer hospital admissions, and greater use of hospice during the final three months of life.
Researchers recommend using shorter post-discharge timeframes to accurately measure factors within a hospital's control. A five- to seven-day period is ideal, isolating the impact of hospital care from other drivers of readmissions.
A study published by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that treadmill hand burns are the second most common hand injury after stovetop burns, requiring greater and longer care. Children under 5 years old are most prone to these injuries due to curiosity and lack of understanding about potential dangers.
A University of Missouri study finds that increased IT sophistication in nursing homes leads to improved health care quality measures. The research assessed national trends in IT adoption every year over a three-year period and found a positive impact on quality measures as technology improves resident care.
A study found that integrated team-based care practices were associated with higher rates of quality measures, such as active depression screening and adherence to diabetes care bundles. This approach also led to lower rates of acute care utilization and reduced payments received by the delivery system.
A recent analysis calls for broader support for patients with serious chronic illnesses, moving away from end-of-life focus and expanding medical education. Canada ranks 18th worldwide in palliative care availability and must develop more strategies to promote care to patients with non-cancerous illnesses.
A simple phone checklist can help detect telltale changes in health status of people receiving nonmedical home care, according to a pilot study. Changes in clinical status occur relatively common, with 2% of caregiver shifts and 2% of recipients affected.
A study by Trinity College Dublin found that home births are associated with higher breastfeeding rates due to midwife-led care, skin-to-skin contact, and reduced stress. In contrast, hospital births have been linked to lower breastfeeding rates due to interventions, pain-relieving medications, and formula supplementation.
A six-year California study by University of the Pacific demonstrates that virtual dental homes are a safe and effective way to bring care to people who lack it. The approach uses telehealth technology to link specially trained dental hygienists in the community with dentists in clinics.
The University of Minnesota, Medica Research Institute, and HealthPartners Institute will study the impact of the Patient Centered Medical Home model on diabetes care in Minnesota. The research aims to identify specific changes in primary care offices that have improved health outcomes for patients with diabetes.
A study of 9,972 older surgical patients found that a decline in function or mobility after surgery was associated with an increased risk of hospital readmission and death. Postoperative complications were also a significant factor in readmission risk.
A UCLA-led study found that nearly half of California nursing home residents completed Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment forms in 2011. The study also identified areas where the use of these forms could be improved, including facilities with low completion rates and a lack of signatures on some forms.
A new study found that 50% of disabled seniors had some form of in-home help in 2012, up from 30% in 1998. The sharpest rise was among those with milder disabilities, suggesting a trend towards 'aging in place'.
A recent study found that physician payment reform resulted in a significant decrease in the use of home-based dialysis. Patients with traditional Medicare coverage experienced a 0.7 percent reduction in home dialysis use, while those living in areas with larger facilities saw a 0.9 percent decrease.
A new video has been found to help patients with advanced heart failure choose comfort care over more aggressive treatments. Patients who watched the video were more likely to opt for comfort care and had a better understanding of their treatment options.
A state medical home initiative has been shown to slash healthcare costs for complex Medicaid patients by an average of $4,145.28 per patient per year. The integrated care model reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits among patients with chronic illnesses and substance abuse or psychiatric conditions.
A new German research project will examine migrant care workers' arrangements, comparing Germany's family-responsibility model with the Netherlands' state-framed system. The study aims to assess care quality in private households and its socio-political significance.
The Diabetes Collaborative Registry has released baseline data showing clinicians adhere to 4 out of 7 diabetes quality metrics. The registry's first presented results highlight areas for improvement in chronic disease management, with low rates of performance on some measures attributed to lack of documentation or true gaps in care.
Researchers found that becoming Medicare-eligible at age 65, compared to 64, was associated with a significant decline in uninsured rates and an increase in rehabilitation access. This suggests that Medicare coverage allows additional patients to receive rehabilitative care.
A University of Exeter researcher has led a four-year project to develop starch-based gels using enzymes, aiming to improve industrial applications and consumer well-being. The research could also reduce production costs and CO2 emissions associated with conventional gel manufacturing.
A comprehensive analysis of data from 1.6 million hospital stays found that patients undergoing common operations at critical access hospitals had lower risks of major complications and were healthier before surgery. These hospitals also cost the Medicare system nearly $1,400 less than larger hospitals.
A Canadian study reveals ICU caregivers are at high risk of developing clinical depression and emotional distress after patient discharge. The study highlights the need to consider mental health in post-ICU care, finding that caregiver characteristics and situation play a significant role in determining outcomes.
The specialty medical home approach aims to provide comprehensive, cost-effective care for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. This model focuses on patient-centered care, social support, and mental health, addressing high rates of emotional difficulties and poor social support experienced by these patients.
A nationwide study by Texas A&M University found that approximately 15% of people in residential care facilities suffer from injurious falls. The majority of these falls occurred among female residents who required assistance with daily activities and lived in larger facilities.
The article examines the association between for-profit nursing home ownership and care quality, concluding that the precautionary principle should be applied. Observational studies show that publicly funded care in for-profit facilities is inferior to public or non-profit facilities.
A new study from Indiana University reveals that nearly half of all long-stay nursing home residents are sent to the Emergency Department over a year, despite their cognitive status. The study's findings highlight the need for strategies to avoid unnecessary transfers and deliver patient-centered care in long-term care facilities.
A new study finds that person-centered dementia care can be effectively provided by an engaged low-cost workforce of care coordinator assistants. These assistants, with limited education, are trained to conduct home visits and support caregivers, extending primary care to older adults' homes.
A rare study of attitudes to death and dying amongst the very old reveals that this group is willing to discuss their end-of-life care, but rarely does so. The research found that most older people feel ready to die and would prefer a peaceful, pain-free passing.
The new federal legislation aims to reduce rehospitalization rates by penalizing both hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for rehospitalizations within 30 days. However, clinicians warn of potential problems with the mandate, including inadequate communication between healthcare providers, SNF staff, and patients/caregivers.
OPTIMISTIC, a four-year project, aims to improve the health and healthcare of long-term nursing home residents by enhancing clinical care and introducing new Medicare payments. The program has shown promising results in reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and improving symptoms in patients with chronic illnesses.
A recent survey by the American College of Cardiology found that women are underrepresented in adult cardiology, comprising less than 20% of cardiologists who see adult patients. Women also face challenges related to child care and family leave policies, with more likely to report needing additional child care during nights and on-call...
Researchers found that a parent-orientated discharge planning process, known as the Train-to Home intervention, can increase parental confidence in caring for their baby. The project resulted in fewer visits to emergency departments after going home and reduced healthcare costs after discharge from hospital.
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.