It’s well known that hospital-at-home care programs bring about higher satisfaction. One recent study even showed that patients discharged earlier who received at-home rehabilitation had higher patient satisfaction scores than those who stayed in the hospital for their recovery. Here How can patient satisfaction be improved? Home health products like hospital beds can increase satisfaction among patients and family members.
Increasing Patient Satisfaction With Hospital At Home Care
Get higher patient satisfaction in your hospital at home and fully realize how patients and their families can be included in the healthcare team with quality recovery equipment. are five ways hospital at home care can leave patients and their families more satisfied with healthcare services and outcomes.
I. Lower Medical Costs with Home Hospital Care
The simple truth is that more patients and family members feel better when the patient is at home. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the shorter hospital stays resulting from their hospital at home program translated into cost savings between 19% and 30%.
While this isn’t a factor most patients or families consider when they need care, less time in the hospital also means less strain on the healthcare industry. Delivering high-quality patient care with lower costs has always been a tough balancing act; at-home services that also come with a lower price tag than inpatient hospital care while meeting patient preferences to receive in-home treatment is a win-win-win.
II. Improved Clinical Outcomes
Johns Hopkins Medicine found that, compared to similar hospitalized patients, there are lower rates of delirium sedative medication use, restraints, and mortality; as well, the patients needed fewer lab and diagnostic tests. They also found that there were better functional outcomes for both families and other caregivers.
The Journal of American Geriatrics found that both hospital-at-home patients and their family members were more likely than acute hospital patients to be satisfied with their physician and the domains of care.
III. Patients & Families Have More Control
Hospital-at-home care helps patients and their families become equal parts of the care solution. There are more opportunities for both parties to stay actively involved in planning and evaluating a patient’s health and service needs. They can all work together to develop better care plans that bring about higher satisfaction and get more family members involved in reducing risk.
IV. Patients Are More Likely To Stick To Their Recovery
Patients who receive care in their preferred location are more likely to adhere to care management plans because they have a more positive outlook on the steps towards their recovery. It improves their overall mental well-being and physical health, as well as prevents avoidable readmission and the costs that can incur.
It’s a benefit the families will feel, too! As their health or mobility improves, informal caregivers such as family members and other loved ones will feel less overwhelmed by their obligations.
V. Patients Can Live A More Independent Life
The reasons for hospitalization can be quite severe and can lead to major changes in lifestyle. If your loved one has cognitive impairments caused by a stroke, Alzheimerʼs disease, or another complication, discharge planning can become more complex. You will need to be a part of all aspects of the discharge.
Before bringing in outside help, you may need to tell homecare workers about the special routines or communication techniques on which your relative now relies. Even without memory impairments, seniors can have hearing or vision problems that can be disorienting and make conversations hard to comprehend. The discharge plan should consider these new realities!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can patient satisfaction be improved with hospital-at-home care?
Hospital-at-home care programs, such as those using home health products like hospital beds, have been shown to increase patient and family satisfaction. These programs allow patients to be discharged earlier and receive rehabilitation at home, which often results in higher satisfaction scores compared to traditional in-hospital stays.
What are the benefits of hospital-at-home care for patient satisfaction?
There are several ways hospital-at-home care can enhance patient and family satisfaction:
- Patients and families are included as part of the healthcare team.
- Quality recovery equipment at home can improve the comfort and effectiveness of care.
- More personal involvement in care planning and assessment leads to better tailored and more satisfactory healthcare experiences.
How does hospital-at-home care reduce medical costs?
Hospital-at-home programs can reduce medical costs significantly, with savings of 19% to 30% reported. These cost reductions come from shorter hospital stays and reduced strain on healthcare facilities, allowing for high-quality care at a lower price.
How are clinical outcomes improved with hospital-at-home care?
Compared to traditional hospital care, hospital-at-home patients experience lower rates of delirium, sedative medication use, restraints, and mortality. They also require fewer lab and diagnostic tests, contributing to better overall functional outcomes for patients and caregivers.
What control do patients and families have in hospital-at-home care?
Hospital-at-home care allows patients and their families to actively participate in the care process, giving them more opportunities to influence care plans and decisions. This active involvement helps improve satisfaction by making the care more responsive to the patient’s and family’s needs.
How does hospital-at-home care encourage patients to stick to their recovery plans?
Being in a preferred, familiar environment enhances patients’ outlook and adherence to recovery plans, promoting better mental and physical health. This also helps reduce the risk of readmissions and associated costs.
How does hospital-at-home care support independent living?
Hospital-at-home care helps patients maintain independence even after major health events, like strokes or cognitive impairments. By facilitating care in the patient’s home and incorporating specific needs into the discharge plan, patients can better manage their health and daily activities in a familiar environment.
