Introduction:

Hospital readmissions call Home Health services Agencies to emphasize the importance of proper medication management, adherence to prescribed treatment plans, fall prevention measures, timely follow-up with healthcare providers, identification of necessary care after hospital discharge, maintaining a healthy diet, ensuring access to transportation for medical appointments, preventing infections, avoiding premature hospital discharge, and having open discussions about palliative or hospice care when appropriate.

Home Health Services VS hospital readmissions

1. Medication errors or lack of accurate medication history: Reconciling medication history and providing a complete medication list can help prevent errors.

2. Medication noncompliance by the patient: Taking medications as prescribed is crucial to avoid complications and readmissions.

3. Fall injuries: Weakness, cognitive impairment, and new medical equipment can increase the risk of falls.

4. Lack of timely follow-up care: Not attending follow-up appointments can jeopardize recovery and increase the likelihood of readmission.

5. Failure to identify post-acute care needs: Complex conditions may require additional care at home, which should be addressed during discharge planning.

6. Inadequate nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential for healing, and difficulties in accessing or preparing nutritious food can increase the risk of malnutrition.

7. Lack of transportation to access care: Difficulty in transportation may prevent individuals from attending medical appointments, leading to unnecessary emergency room visits and readmissions.

8. Infection: Proper wound care and infection prevention measures are crucial to avoid infections at home.

9. Too early hospital discharge: Premature discharge without addressing underlying complications or lack of available resources can contribute to readmissions.

10. Inadequate discussion of palliative or hospice care: Failing to have conversations about palliative or hospice care can result in repeated hospital admissions for pain or deteriorating health.

    ---

    1 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Characteristics of 30-Day All-Cause Hospital Readmissions, 2010-2016. Retrieved from https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb248-Hospital-Readmissions-2010-2016.jsp.

    ---