Peninsula Home Care reduces hospital readmissions by empowering patients

The evolving reality of healthcare in the United States is focused on putting a stopper in the revolving door of hospitals. More than 10 percent of people discharged from the hospital will be readmitted within 30 days or less, and many of the readmissions can be prevented. Prevention and education are top priorities for Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke, a locally operated home care agency serving Sussex and Kent counties.

During Home Care Month, the agency is highlighting proof of its success in patient outcomes. As of September 2016, they reported a 30-day patient hospital readmission rate of 9 percent, compared with the state average of 10.14 percent and national average of 11.7 percent. Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke credits a comprehensive approach to healthcare for the low readmission rate. Interdisciplinary team meetings and the transition to electronic medical records have allowed the sharing of health information across all disciplines.

"The movement from a fee-for-service to a fee-for-outcome model is meant to improve quality of care and care coordination in addition to lowering costs," said Beverly White, Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke branch director. "We are moving from an emphasis on treatment to a patient-empowered approach that prioritizes prevention and education."

White added that compliance is also a critical piece of a patient's plan of care when it comes to achieving positive outcomes. In addition to providing skilled nursing and physical, occupational and speech therapy, Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke provides individualized education regarding warning signs, the importance of medication management and adherence, and scheduling follow-up appointments with primary care physicians.

Patients become a significant part of their plan of care and can contribute to their recovery by taking a few important steps including the following:

• Understand the diagnosis
• Make follow-up appointments with general practitioners and specialists. If transportation is an issue, make a plan to find a family member or friend to provide transportation to follow-up doctor appointments
• Understand any prescribed medications and how to take them
• Be aware of any physical limitations. Know what exercises and stretches to do on a regular basis and which ones to avoid.

"It is also important for our team to take a step back from the day-to-day visits and assess the overall health picture for each patient," said White. "Anything from a chronic disease diagnosis to frequent readmissions to home care are red flags that need to be addressed immediately in a plan of care."

The push to lower hospital readmissions makes sense for the patient and all healthcare providers attached to that individual. Smooth care transitions as patients are discharged will ultimately help in avoiding health deterioration that often brings patients back to the hospital.

"Reducing hospital readmissions is about improving patient care," said White. "Our numbers show patients are getting better care and as a result, fewer are revolving back through that hospital door."

For more information, go to www.peninsulahomecare.com.