If you or a loved one has recently experienced a major injury, illness, or health event that resulted in a hospital stay, planning your recovery is an important part of the discharge process.

Discharging from the hospital can be a hectic time. Patients and their families are bombarded with so much information that it can be difficult to take it all in. At the end of a hospital stay, you may not know what next steps to take.

NurseRegistry can ensure a successful recovery after a scheduled surgery or extended hospital stay. Our nurses can help during this difficult transition home by providing patient and caregiver education, pain management, medication management, surgical site care and monitoring, case management, and other services to ensure the comfort of you or a loved one.

No one wants to return to the hospital, yet hospital readmissions currently affect 20 percent of patients within the first 30 days after discharge. A private nurse from NurseRegistry provides personalized care to reduce the risk of hospital readmission and ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home.

Post-hospital services include:

• Medication management and administration
• Pain and symptom management
• Surgical site monitoring
• Wound care, including dressing changes
• Patient, family and caregiver education
• Instructions on new medical devices and equipment
• Case management
• Other services that may improve overall comfort of client

How to Plan for Home Care After a Hospital Stay

The road to recovery is often a long one. After being discharged from the hospital, many adults require additional help upon returning home. This type of care can last for weeks, months, or even years depending on the needs of the patient.

Many families become overwhelmed when trying to sort through all of the details. If home care is required while recovering from an illness, injury, or other health condition, you or your loved one should be as prepared as possible to avoid any unnecessary bumps in the road.

Know What to Expect

The first step towards healing at home will be to talk to the discharge planner. They will arrange the details and will advise you on the medical services that are needed during recovery for you or your loved one.

The discharge process should include the following:

• Evaluation of the patient’s needs
• Discussions about health care
• Determine if home care is needed
• Planning for home care
• Referrals to an agency or other certified organization
• Making the arrangements

Taking time to complete each step of the discharge process will make the transition much easier for everybody involved. Planning the proper care can help you or a loved one make a full recovery, while reducing the risk of being readmitted to the hospital.

Finding the Right Professionals

The type of home care needed will vary from case to case. Every patient has a unique set of needs and might require the help of a nurse, professional caregiver, or specialized therapist.

Home care does not typically include visits from a doctor. Often, family members are still expected to help with day-to-day activities. This is why in-home nursing care can be so beneficial. Licensed nurses are able to provide medical care that family members may be uncomfortable with or may not have time to do, all in the comfort of the client’s home.

The hospital discharge planner will help you determine which services are needed as you create a comprehensive care plan.

How Home Care Works

Once a doctor confirms a patient is ready to be discharged, they will review the proposed aftercare plan that has been arranged by hospital staff, along with input from the family.

To ensure you or your loved one is getting the best care possible, make sure the discharge plan is agreed upon by everyone involved. If you have any questions along the way, ask both the home care provider and the doctor of record to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Know Your Options

Regardless of the patient’s needs, the rehabilitation process can be somewhat complicated. And the discharge process might not be as thorough or complete as you expected since every hospital handles the discharge process differently. It’s important that you know your options so you get the care that you or your loved one needs.

If you have concerns, questions or complaints about your home care plan, address the issue promptly so you can quickly resolve any issues you may be experiencing.

Contact NurseRegistry

If you or a loved one requires in-home care after a hospital stay, it’s important to prepare yourself for the recovery process. You will need to work closely with all of the team members involved to ensure you or your loved one is receiving the best care possible.

Call 650-462-1001 or contact NurseRegistry online to find out how we can help ease this process for you and your family.