Leading research tells us that the 5th leading cause of death for Americans over the age of 65 is medication errors. The question is, “why are there so many medication errors?” There isn’t one single answer. There are many factors that lead to medication errors. Older adults take many different kinds of medications with complex dosage and administration instructions. Mental acuteness naturally decreases with age. When someone gets sick or injured, they are usually prescribed new and unfamiliar medications. After a hospital stay, the discharge instructions given to the patient can be confusing. As a home health care provider, we have clients that have multiple medical conditions. Many different types of medications are taken to attend to the different medical conditions. In any case, when so many medications are administered, the chances of errors and adverse interactions and reactions are increased. As our population ages and as more valuable medications are developed, managing these medications effectively must be a priority.
Right now, home health care is quietly commanding a revolution in medication management. Home health care nurses are helping clients to effectively manage their medications leading to immense social benefits and economic savings. The next question is, “how is home care leading this revolution in medication management?” Home care agencies have developed specific programs to help clients manage their medications. The advantages of these programs have been recognized by insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid. Consequently, the insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid are now providing payment for these programs.
Each home health care provider may have slightly different programs, but the overall process is the same. A home health RN will come to your house to do an assessment. One of the things the nurse does during the assessment is to gather a list of all your medications including dosage and administration instructions. The home care nurse will then develop a home health plan of care and a medication list. These documents will be sent to your primary physician. The primary physician will verify the accuracy of the medications and their usage instructions. The plan of care will include a plan for you to take your medication accurately. The plan may include a home care RN coming to your house daily or weekly to setup and administer your medication, a home health care RN coming to your house weekly just to setup your meds correctly, a Personal Care Worker to remind you to take your medications, a pill dispenser to alert you when you need to take your medications, etc. Any changes in your medications will be shared with your primary physician. In accordance, your primary physician will alert your home care agency of any changes he or she makes to your medications.
As a home health provider, we have seen dramatic overall improvement in clients that use our medication management program. The overall health and wellbeing of our clients improves, and hospitalizations decrease. Home health care is truly leading the way for better Medication Management. Home Health Care Medication Management programs are miraculously improving the quality of life and overall wellbeing of our clients in a sincerely cost effective way.
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