Solution: Angel Home Healthcare Services – Skilled Nursing from Mesquite TX to the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Region
Did you know that 40% of seniors leave hospitals with errors in their medication lists? A recent study published in Collegian highlighted this alarming statistic among people aged 65 and older. These errors aren’t just a minor issue—68% of patients with medication errors were readmitted to the hospital within six months. This is where skilled nursing from Mesquite TX and careful home care can make a life-changing difference for seniors throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
The Issue of Medication Discrepancies
Healthcare professionals refer to these errors as “medication discrepancies,” and they can lead to serious complications if left unaddressed. Studies have shown that the rate of medication errors ranges widely, from 14% to as high as 86%, depending on patient circumstances.
Some of the key risk factors include:
- Lack of Support at Home: Patients who don’t have a family member or home care aide to help them manage medications are 171% more likely to experience errors.
- Multiple Transfers Between Care Facilities: Every time a patient moves between hospital departments (ER to cardiac ward, for instance), the risk of medication mistakes increases by 148%.
- Multiple Prescriptions: Taking multiple medications before hospitalization raises the risk of discrepancies by 13% for each additional prescription.
What Can Seniors Do to Protect Themselves?
- Keep an Updated Medication List It’s critical for seniors to always have an accurate and updated list of their medications. This can reduce confusion during hospital admissions or visits to different healthcare providers. Keeping the list in an easily accessible location ensures it’s available during emergencies.
- Visit Your Doctor Soon After Leaving the Hospital After returning home from a hospital stay, it’s important to see a doctor within 48 hours. This helps prevent any complications, as the doctor can review the hospital’s medication list and ensure everything is correct. Often, hospitals don’t automatically send discharge notices to outpatient doctors, so patients should insist that their records be forwarded.
- Consider Skilled Home Health Services Medicare-certified skilled nursing can be an invaluable resource for seniors recovering at home. A nurse visits to explain each medication, set up reminder systems, and monitor for any adverse reactions or complications. Skilled nursing also reconciles medication lists. Medicare covers 100% of the cost if a patient meets the criteria for skilled home health services.
While skilled nursing is a short-term solution, typically lasting weeks or a few months, it provides peace of mind for patients and their families during critical recovery periods. For longer-term needs, families may consider private-duty nursing or non-medical home care services.
How Angel Home Healthcare Services Can Help
At Angel Home Healthcare Services, we offer Medicare-certified skilled nursing to help you stay healthy and safe after a hospital discharge. Our services, available throughout Mesquite, TX, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, are designed to provide the support you need to recover confidently at home. Medicare pays 100% for those who qualify, ensuring you receive the highest level of care without the financial burden.