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Home healthcare and client outcomes
B Alexy1, R Benjamin-Coleman, S Brown
1School of Nursing, Old Dominion University, 4608 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA. balexy@odu.edu
Home Healthcare Nurse
|May 3, 2002
Summary
Hospital readmissions and functional status changes were examined in home care patients. Complications often arise by the 15th visit, impacting patient outcomes and potentially increasing healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare management
- Patient outcomes research
- Home healthcare services
Background:
- Home healthcare services are crucial for patient recovery and quality of life.
- Understanding readmission rates and functional status changes is vital for effective care delivery.
- Prospective Payment System (PPS) cost containment strategies may impact hospitalization prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine hospital readmission rates and changes in functional status/quality of life in home care patients.
- To identify the timing of hospital admissions relative to the initiation of home care.
- To suggest implications for data collection and strategy development for cost-effective home care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient outcome measures.
- Examination of readmission data and functional status changes.
- Correlation of hospital admission timing with home care initiation.
Main Results:
- Patients were most commonly readmitted to the hospital by their 15th home care visit.
- Complications necessitating readmission appear to arise early in the home care episode.
- Current cost containment strategies may hinder hospitalization prevention efforts.
Conclusions:
- Early complications in home care necessitate timely interventions.
- More specific data on patient acuity, family support, and outcomes are needed.
- Strategies for cost-effective home care must balance cost containment with effective patient management to prevent hospitalizations.