Nov 13

I am no stranger to minor accidents at home and outside. Slips, trips, and falls happen to a lot of people of all ages, from all places, and in all walks of life. These would sometimes lead to injuries which would require hospitalization, or at least a visit to the nearest doctor.

What a lot of us do not realize is that these falls happen to patients in the hospitals and medical facilities, too. There is nothing worse than injuring a person who is already sick, and the cause of such injury is the person who is supposed to be taking care of the patient, like the doctor or nurse. It is like adding injury to an existing injury.

Patient safety has been constantly one of the most pressing challenges in the health care industry, and a significant part of patient injuries come from falls while confined in the hospitals and nursing homes. Reducing harm from falls is becoming one of the top priorities of hospitals and health care organizations around the world. Patients, regardless of age, fall. While certain risk factors are common in younger people, falls are most likely to occur in older patients and they are much more likely to experience serious injuries. A significant number of falls result in injury, or even death, costing millions per annum for immediate health care treatment alone, not to mention the additional costs of rehabilitation and social care. In addition to these financial costs, there are additional costs that are more difficult to quantify. It not only includes the obvious distress, pain, injury, but also loss of confidence and independence to the patient.

There are lots of researches and reports around the internet on patient safety, specifically on how to reduce harm from falls, but it seems that there is not one single guide for all. What is apparent is that non-profit organizations from countries like the UK, Sweden, Australia, Canada and the USA are at the forefront when it comes to these initiatives with The Institute for Healthcare Improvement IHI in Cambridge, Massachusetts providing the main thrust. In the UK, there is Patient Safety First Campaign sponsored by the National Patient Safety Agency, the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and The Health Foundation. In Australia, there is the Australian Patient Safety Foundation. While in Canada, there is the Canadian Patient Safety Institute.

The approaches are varied, localized, and sometimes isolated depending on the case. But what is common is the need to recognize these harms, identify patients prone to falls, record, monitor, and measure these incidents to be able to come up with actionable plans. These are for more organizational solutions though. Ultimately, it all boils down to the care and dedication given by our doctors, nurses, and caregivers that would spell a big difference.

Accidents do happen but a lot of them can also be avoided with the right actions and presence of mind. For those that cannot be avoided totally, there are ways to reduce the harms and risks brought about by these accidents. While this is easier said than done, it is doable with a little effort and good luck.

Jul 14

The summer holidays are here. It’s the time when families go traveling, hiking, camping, swimming and simply lazing around under the sun. But what happens to grandma and grandpa when everybody else is out enjoying the summer holidays?

I am sure you are looking forward to spending time with your children while school’s out for the summer. On the other hand, you might be having second thoughts about traveling or going out frequently during the holidays because of an elderly in your home who needs round-the-clock care and supervision. If you are in such a dilemma, you may want to consider placing your elderly loved one in a residential care facility, if only temporarily, for the duration of the summer holidays.

You might be wary about placing your loved one in a residential care facility or a nursing home, since they have a reputation for being a place you do not want to go. However, a residential care facility is a perfectly safe environment for elderly care which will help relieve your worries of who will tend to your loved one.

Here are some things you might want to consider when choosing a nursing home for your loved one.

Consider the Location

Where would you like your loved one to stay? Do you want a nursing home near to your home or near to another relative? If your elderly needs specific medical requirements or regular visits to the doctor, you might want to consider nursing homes within a convenient distance from a hospital.

Personal Requirements

List down all the requirements of your loved one. Take note of important factors such as special diet, medical requirements and other facilities for physical therapy and even entertainment. You might also want a nursing home which has a great nursing staff. A great nursing staff is not only professional, but genuinely caring for the welfare of the elderly as well.

Make a List

Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for in a nursing home, you can begin your search. You can try looking at directories, asking for recommendations from your local health office or even search the internet. Try visiting http://www.nursinghomes.co.uk or http://www.carehome.co.uk and search for nursing homes in your ideal locations.

Make Visits

Contact the nursing homes in your list. Look for the Director of Nursing or the Admissions Coordinator to set up an appointment for a visit. Getting to know the nursing home staff and seeing the services and facilities the home can offer your loved one will surely help you decide on which nursing home will best suit your loved one’s needs.

Placing your loved one in a nursing home that you trust to have quality service and facilities will surely help both you and your loved one. It’s a win-win situation. Your loved one will get the best care possible while you are away, and you can enjoy the summer holidays with your children without having to worry too much.