From retaining discharge instructions to managing medications and diet, caregivers can be a great asset in helping their loved ones avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions. Though some readmissions are unavoidable, many can be prevented, says Tania Daniels, the Minnesota Hospital Association’s (MHA) vice president for quality and patient safety. MHA, a health care policy and advocacy group representing 142 hospitals employing 127,000 people across the state, was one of several groups involved in Reducing Avoidable Readmissions Effectively (RARE). The program helped prevent nearly 8,000 readmissions in Minnesota between 2010 and 2014. Daniels offers a few key ways in which caregivers can keep readmissions down:
COMMUNICATE & TAKE NOTES
Caregivers should feel comfortable asking as many questions as they need to in order to understand instructions. Daniels recommends that caregivers repeat back the instructions to health care providers, to make sure they are accurate.
MANAGE MEDICATION
Caregivers need to know what medications a patient is taking, why they are taking them, how they need to take them, and that they are, in fact, taking them. Make sure a doctor reviews a patient’s list of current medications to see what might have been added, discontinued, or changed since admission to the hospital.
PREVENT INFECTIONS
Patients need to follow all preoperative and postoperative instructions to ensure proper healing. It’s also important for patients to share existing conditions, such as diabetes, which might slow recovery. Proper hygiene for patients and caregivers is a must.
BE TRANSPARENT
Caregivers should be open with medical professionals about any potential concerns upon discharge, such as limited access to meals or assistance needed at home.
FOLLOW-UP
It is important to follow-up with recommended care and appointments. If a patient is not able to make an appointment, or fill or take medications as prescribed, the caregiver should communicate to the provider.
