What has been shown to reduce unplanned admissions for patients receiving home healthcare?

Frequent telephone follow-up by nurses has been shown to significantly reduce unplanned admissions for patients receiving home healthcare. This approach allows healthcare providers to maintain regular communication with patients, which is crucial for monitoring their condition, managing symptoms, and addressing any concerns that may arise promptly. By providing timely advice or intervention over the phone, nurses can help prevent complications that might otherwise lead to a hospital admission.

Additionally, these follow-up calls can foster a sense of support and engagement for patients, encouraging them to adhere to treatment plans and express any issues they may be experiencing. This proactive communication strategy is effective in managing chronic conditions, such as heart failure, where early intervention is essential in preventing exacerbations.

In contrast, other options may not provide the same level of consistent monitoring and immediate response to patient needs. In-home physical therapy may improve physical function but does not address overall management or education about the condition as comprehensively as nurse follow-up does. While regular home visits by physicians can be beneficial, they may not occur as frequently as necessary to prevent admissions. Daily medication reviews are useful, but they might not be practical or feasible in every home healthcare setting, and they lack the immediate response capability that telephone follow-ups offer.