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Choosing the right home care device can make all the difference for patients once they leave the hospital. Discover four easy steps for making the right choice to set patients up for sustainable success.
After a COPD flare-up and lengthy hospital stay, your patient is finally stable enough to go home. The discharge paperwork is done and they are out the door. But only a couple weeks later, on a routine trip to the grocery store, the patient begins wheezing and experiences extreme shortness of breath. Shortly there after, they are back in your emergency department.
Sounds familiar, right?
When it comes to treating COPD patients, identifying and implementing home care strategies could reduce the likeliness of future exacerbations and readmissions. But, it requires that the patient be armed with the tools to succeed. In many cases, that starts with having the right device.
In this article, we break out the four key steps to setting your patients up for success as you transition them to home care.
Starting a patient with the right equipment rather than having to try to switch them mid-stream is always going to be easier.”
- Christine Cunningham, RRT
Director of Clinical Services
CHI Health at Home
Before you can decide on an appropriate device for your patient, you need to have an understanding of their individual situation and lifestyle. Many basic factors will influence device selection including: age, disease severity, and activity level.
Beyond these factors, it is essential to identify their goals and treatment expectations. While some patients may value vanity and portability, others may want to maintain a high activity level. By determining what is most important to each patient, you can set them up with a device that meets their needs.
Christine Cunningham, RRT
Director of Clinical Services
CHI Health at Home
It’s not just the function of the device but the functional limitations of the patient."
- Christine Cunningham, RRT
Director of Clinical Services CHI Health at Home
Sometimes that cute little four pound sack on your side doesn’t allow you to complete a six-minute walk test.
Having patients see and feel the difference made a huge advancement in helping them make an informed decision.”
- Christine Cunningham, RRT
Director of Clinical Services CHI Health at Home
Jennifer Anderson, MBA, RRT, AE-C
Director Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Function Labs
AU Medical Center
Sending a patient home with the right device is void if they don’t understand how to use it correctly. Accurate setup and education are key for long term home care success.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
Sending a patient home with the right device is void if they don’t understand how to use it correctly. Accurate setup and education are key for long term home care success.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
Sending a patient home with the right device is void if they don’t understand how to use it correctly. Accurate setup and education are key for long term home care success.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
Sending a patient home with the right device is void if they don’t understand how to use it correctly. Accurate setup and education are key for long term home care success.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
When a patient is discharged, they should leave feeling confident that they have everything they need to self-manage and properly use their new device. This includes written instructions detailing setup, timing, and dosage information. Further resources, such as videos and websites, can be an excellent complement.
In addition, it is hugely beneficial to provide patients with a person or department they can contact in the event of questions or problems.
- Brian Carlin, MD, FCCP, FAARC
Critical Care Staff Physician
Altoona Regional Health System
Once you’ve sent a patient home with their device, you want to help them stay home. Continue to monitor patients for adherence and proper usage to help ensure they are taking vital steps toward better wellness.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
Sending a patient home with the right device is void if they don’t understand how to use it correctly. Accurate setup and education are key for long term home care success.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
Sending a patient home with the right device is void if they don’t understand how to use it correctly. Accurate setup and education are key for long term home care success.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
Sending a patient home with the right device is void if they don’t understand how to use it correctly. Accurate setup and education are key for long term home care success.
Proper patient training begins with the health care team. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and care managers should have a solid understanding of usage and administration for a variety of devices. Simple faculty training sessions can go a long way to ensure patients are receiving the correct information.
