Families play a role in providing appropriate medical equipment to Patients upon discharge.
Hospital readmissions are costly to hospitals and Families. Hospital readmissions disrupt the process of recovery, thus it is imperative to identify the common reasons for hospital readmissions.
Common hazards patients experience after discharge include the following:
physical weakness: makes performing daily tasks dangerous (i.e., walking, getting in/out of a vehicle, etc.)
- Sudden falls while transferring from a bed to a regular chair
- fluid accumulation and/or shortness of breath caused by Improper elevation
- extreme fatigue that inhibits the ability to safely walk to the bathroom and other areas
- obstructive furniture obstructs mobility aids and creates additional tripping hazards
Solutions to eliminate the majority of physical barriers to recovery prior to discharge will greatly aid patients in continuing their path to recovery.
Hospital readmissions bring unplanned financial burdens, compounded by financial burdens related to multiple hospital readmissions. Proactive planning is generally more cost effective than reactive hospital visits. For example, a reputable supplier of affordable electric hospital bed rentals in Toronto can offer an example of proactive planning.
Beds represent the central location of any post hospitalization recovery plan. Patients spend virtually all of their time in their bed for several days after being discharged. Standard mattresses do not provide enough comfort for injured persons to recover from their ailments. Customizing positions for a patient improves circulation, respiration and body repair. Flat beds are unable to provide customized positions to meet each patient’s needs. Lifting the upper torso can clear airways. Elevating the knees may provide relief for lower back pain caused by extended pressure. Frequent movement of a patient will help to develop pressure sores. A bed that can adjust to the correct height for a caregiver will make their job easier when helping the patient complete daily tasks. Automatic adjustment of beds will make it simpler for caregivers. Using a premier home care hospital bed rental in Toronto will assure that a clinician can evaluate your condition immediately after purchasing your home care equipment. Regaining independence and autonomy in daily routines will improve the overall recovery for Patients. However, furniture found in most homes limit the mobility of weakened Patients. Adjustable frames allow Patients to independently change positions throughout the day automatically. Handheld pendants enable Patients to elevate themselves from a horizontal position to a vertical position with little exertion. Elevation will increase confidence and decrease reliance on family members working outside of the home.
Research indicates that appropriately equipping a patient’s home environment will reduce the number of accidents occurring to a patient by approximately 40% during the initial phase of recovery.
Advanced Seating: beyond the bed
Patients need to leave their bedroom to begin regaining strength. Unfortunately, typical furniture found in living room settings lacks sufficient structural integrity for Patients who are recovering from illness/injuries.
Dangers of deep sofas
Entangling Patients who lack abdominal/leg strength, sliding downward into low cushioned sofas can damage loose sutures created during surgery. Furthermore, struggling to stand up from low lying couches can place undue pressure on weakened joints.
Alternative furniture options for living areas
In response, homeowners should utilize specially designed furniture intended for living areas. One type of furniture that successfully addresses these challenges is an ergonomic Lift chair. Lift chairs incorporate an automated lifting system which raises the seated section of the chair upward. Once raised, the lifting system assists the user into an erect standing position. By doing so, users can enjoy independent mobility and perform daily tasks safely and confidently.
Accelerate muscle recovery: alternate between sitting up and lying down
Increased muscle mass occurs when alternating between lying down and sitting upright. Overly long durations of spending time in horizontal positions will significantly weaken physical abilities.
Eat meals comfortably to improve digestion
Sit comfortably in a chair that allows for optimal posture when taking meals to facilitate best possible digestion.
Engage with family members in other areas of the house to maintain social relationships
Move to another area of the home in order to interact with family members.
Elevate your feet while sitting to reduce lower extremity edema
While sitting, keep your feet elevated to reduce swelling in the lower limbs.
Travel throughout the home to alleviate boredom caused by monotony of recovery
Traverse different sections of the home to alleviate boredom and monotony experienced during recovery.
Dynamic Seating maintains engagement with life throughout the recovery period
Moving around the home while utilizing seating helps keep you engaged with life throughout your recovery period and supports positive emotional experiences throughout challenging recovery periods.
Planning logistics: establish convenient access to medical supplies at home
Securing medical equipment requires planned scheduling and coordination, which prevents unnecessary stress at the last moment.
Install medical machinery professionally
Do not attempt to assemble or transport complex medical equipment alone. Assembling medical machinery incorrectly can pose severe safety threats. Purchasing a hospital bed rental near me that includes guaranteed professional installation gives you peace of mind knowing that trained professionals will correctly install your medical equipment. In addition, professional installers will instruct family members on how to use the medical equipment properly, including explaining emergency override and braking features in case there is uncertainty regarding operation procedures.
Navigating local healthcare systems
Each community has its own environmental characteristics and logistical challenges. Narrow corridors and steep stairs characterize most Toronto houses. Therefore, understanding the local environment is crucial when selecting special home care hospital bed rentals in Toronto to guarantee rapid transportation through congested urban streets with the ideal tool for rapid setup. Having a top rated hospital bed rental near me that offers installation services will give you easy access to technical assistance if difficulties arise with your equipment locally.
Tip for Families with hospitalized Patients: always measure the door size of your house before a delivery truck arrives to preclude delays in installing your equipment when you expect them.
Tools that feel welcoming encourage patient compliance with medical recommendations
Typical medical equipment appears cold and institutional when used at home. Modern Home care products integrate both functionality and warmth into product designs.
Home style Design elements can help relieve anxiety
Some Design elements that are derived from clinical styles can evoke feelings of anxiety in vulnerable populations. Many companies manufacture products that contain wood tones and soft textures that resemble those commonly seen in bedrooms.
Match colors to decorate your bedroom space
Choose soothing colors that complement the color scheme currently employed in your bedroom space to create a uniform appearance.
Place bedding on adjustable frame mattresses when it is safe
If safe, place familiar bedding on adjustable frame mattresses.
Position Lift chairs near windows to provide a view
Position Lift chairs near large windows to afford your patient a view outside.
Hid medical supplies in containers or storage bin to conceal disarray
Conceal clutter/disorganization from medical supplies by storing them in decorative bins/containers.
Establishing a calming environment may positively influence physiological responses during recovery
There is evidence suggesting creating a welcoming environment in a patient’s home may positively affect physiological responses during recovery by creating less stressful environments.
Value of long term support systems
Implementing support systems early eliminates minor setbacks that may evolve into serious medical emergencies later on. Acquiring an electric hospital bed rental in Toronto early on will provide a continuous link between hospital based treatment and home based support.
Summary
The transition of hospitals from reactive health service providers towards proactive health service providers is critical in reducing hospital readmission rates. Providing strategically placed medical equipment provides support for Patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. Spending money on high quality adjustable beds, Advanced Seating options and hiring professional installers for medical equipment will provide an environment conducive to healing.