The holiday season is finally here, which means now is the perfect time to spend time with friends and loved ones. But with the ongoing health crisis, public health experts warned the worst surges of COVID-19 could be in the coming weeks. Community spread is extensive, especially since many have been traveling to be with their family for the holidays.
Unfortunately, hospitals are nearing full capacity. You may be scrambling to create additional ICU capacity and boost your staff in order to accommodate more patients. You all need to provide better healthcare in the middle of the pandemic and prepare for the expected jump in hospitalizations that can lead to record-high coronavirus case counts.
An Acute-Care at-Home Program
The Hospitals Without Walls initiative was launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in March. It is an acute-care at-home program that lets facilities provide inpatient services in other buildings, such as hotels or dorm rooms.
Under the program, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are providing inpatient care. The program also focuses on providing at-home care for conditions that can often lead to a hospital stay, such as pneumonia, asthma, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This type of service existed even before the coronavirus pandemic. However, healthcare industry professionals saw the need to fortify this program during the ongoing health crisis in response to the rising demand for telehealth.
What Is the Importance of At-Home Care?
At-home care is essential, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Many patients prefer this service because being in the hospital means their friends and family cannot be present for them due to safety precautions. It also helps them save more money and reduce their readmissions.
What Are the Guidelines for At-Home Care?
The at-home care program lets patients be admitted only from an emergency room or inpatient bed. They will have at least two in-person visits a day from a registered nurse or paramedic. They will undergo screening for non-medical factors that could affect their at-home care, such as not having working utilities or being at risk for domestic violence.
What Are the Potential Challenges to Be Encountered by Medical Professionals?
As a healthcare professional, you need to treat your patients and operate them with specialized equipment. It can be difficult if you face sickness yourself, experience burnout, or are regularly exposed to the coronavirus.
Your hospital or medical facility may be prepared to deal with public health emergencies, but the healthcare workforce nationwide is stretched thin on the frontlines of the pandemic. Therefore, you may find yourself overwhelmed since patients often require a hospital stay and can quickly end up in the ICU, which can be a hotspot. When this happens, your facility can be forced to stop or postpone your elective procedures, leading to a financial drag.
Conclusion
Many ignored public health advice against gatherings, which means an expected surge in COVID-19 hospitalization throughout the holidays. Fortunately, an at-home care program can help treat more patients even in the middle of a pandemic. As a healthcare worker, consider implementing this type of program in your facility and provide exceptional care to patients by staying updated about the latest in healthcare.
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