How Does Domiciliary Home Care Reduce Delayed Discharges?
One of the most critical determinants for care outcomes is the very first moment when there is a transition from healthcare to social care services. Implementing domiciliary home care can effectively reduce delayed discharges.
Before someone can be safely discharged from hospital, they will have an assessment. This checks if they have additional care needs and how these will be provided for. Therefore, ensuring domiciliary home care reduce delayed discharges is critical in this process.
It is important to ensure that these services are centred around the person. This is particularly critical when it comes to home care services and the potential need for adaptations. This helps avoid potential readmission as well as a delayed discharge. Domiciliary home care could be a factor in helping reduce delayed discharges.
What Is A Delayed Discharge?
Officially known as a Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC), a delayed discharge is when a person in hospital is medically well enough to leave. However, the care package necessary to do so is not available.
Remaining in hospital more than is necessary is due to a wide and complex range of reasons. Defining when someone is “well enough to leave” can be more complex than it outwardly appears.
NHS England defines someone as ready to be transferred into care when several conditions are met. A multidisciplinary team must agree that they are ready, and a clinical decision has been made to that effect. Furthermore, it must be safe for them to transfer, whether this means to return home with appropriate care or into a residential setting.
This rule aims to avoid situations where someone is physically well enough to leave but cannot for other reasons.
A delay often happens if there is a lack of intermediate care, delayed processes within the NHS, or issues with the care services. It can also occur if adaptations are required for a home. Additionally, based on the choices of the person or their family, they may not be ready to return. Consequently, domiciliary home care can effectively reduce delayed discharges.
Why Are Delayed Discharges Harmful?
The discourse surrounding DTOCs is often focused on beds rather than the people in them. This can obfuscate the harm caused by a delayed discharge on overall recovery.
Staying in a hospital can sometimes lead to a difficult transition known as post-hospital syndrome. This is partly caused by the stress of the recovery process. Additionally, it stems from the hospital environment.
People who spend time in hospital notice that their usual sleep patterns are disrupted. They sometimes feel discomfort or pain due to testing, may be required to be nil by mouth for a time, and undergo necessary procedures. Besides, they can move with less certainty due to a period of inactivity.
All of these environmental aspects can lead to readmission. They are exacerbated if someone is not discharged from hospital at the right time.
If a person is discharged too early, it can lead to readmission. The same is true if they are discharged too late.
How Can Home Care Help?
A comprehensive treatment plan that includes long-term home care and intermediate period support is vital. It ensures that people have confidence returning home. Additionally, it helps avoid the risk of readmissions in the future through effective care planning.
About Caremark North Hertfordshire & Stevenage
An effective, comprehensive treatment plan with Caremark North Hertfordshire & Stevenage can help with support during the vitally important intermediate period. This is essential to ensure people are confident enough to return home and avoid the risk of future readmissions through effective care planning.