Last Updated May 2012
A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Aging in America Conference held in Washington, DC. A key topic was the issue of transitions and how all of us need to collaborate and coordinate transitions for patients and their families.
Physical therapists are often at the center of an effective transition because they are the professionals discharging the patient and providing the information for care at home or transition to another healthcare setting or hospital. They are in the center of the action!
What did I hear at the Conference from caregivers and their families that you need to know? The following are general perceptions from the public and can serve as important feedback to medical providers.
Information tends to be given at the last minute or the day of discharge. While there are reasons for this practice, information given on the day of discharge can be frustrating for families. Many reasons can be given for this: the doctor is prescribing the latest and best recommendations for the patient, medication often changes day to day, and medical conditions can change dramatically in a day. So for some patie
nts, discharge information can only be given the day of release from the hospital or health care facility.
But what about those patients for whom information could be given earlier to the caregiver and family? Do you currently have a procedure in place at your facility that helps patients, caregivers, and families anticipate what they will need to plan for at home or back at the hospital? You probably need a planning template for “Transition to Home” and “Transition to Healthcare Facility.” If you don’t, filling this gap would ease transitions and smooth the way for healing at home.
In cases where you can’t provide information a day or two in advance of discharge, ask yourself, “What can I do to help the caregiver and family anticipate the home care needs of this patient?” “What general guidelines can be given to families to ease transitions both to and from the hospital or health care facility?” Areas include:
- Required equipment and bedding
- Nutritional needs
- Medication management
- Physical therapy appointments
- Physician appointments
- Medical products in stock like bandages, gauze, antiseptic, etc.
Medication management is always at the top of the list. Caregivers and families complain about being handed a list of prescriptions at the day of or point of discharge. No advance notice leaves the family trying to balance getting the medication at the same time as the patient needs support making a transition back home. Ask, “What can I/we do to help patients and their caregivers manage medications and ensure accuracy from day one? Balancing all the issues of a transition can lead to improper and inaccurate dosing and further health complications.
You are a mentor and model for patients and families during transition. Educating everyone on being an advocate for patients and their needs is a key role and a satisfying one at that. To know that you’ve provided tools for patient advocacy and healing will help families not just in the current transition but also will provide best practices for other transitions.
About the Author: Margery Pabst is the co-author of Enrich Your Caregiving Journey. Her work provides practical tools and tips for both professional and family caregivers. Margery writes for a number of websites and most recently presented at the Aging in America Conference in Washington DC on “Family and Caregiver Dynamics.” Information at www.pivotalcrossings.com.
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