Strategies for improving home care quality
Specific research into home care quality is in its infancy, relative to other care settings. This comprehensive study explores differences in healthcare outcomes between urban and rural home care settings, with a focus on two key quality metrics: hospital admissions and emergency room (ER) visit rates.
Overall, this home care quality study found that urban HHAs consistently achieved better outcomes over the study period, showing:
- Lower hospital admission rates: urban HHAs showed significantly lower hospital admissions compared to rural HHAs. The authors attribute this to better healthcare infrastructure and higher staffing levels in urban areas.
- Higher ER visit rates in rural areas: The ER visit rates were persistently higher among rural HHAs, signalling gaps in primary care access, emergency preparedness and timely home care interventions.
The gap in hospital admissions between urban and rural HHAs decreased gradually over the 12-year study period, while the gap in ER visit rates increased. This suggests that rural areas studied were facing growing challenges in managing acute healthcare needs, both in the care itself and due to the absence of timely primary care and follow-up services.
The authors suggest targeted interventions for improving home care to reduce the need for hospital visits, with a primary focus on improving consumer access to primary health and other services. They also suggest actions providers can take to improve in-home care, including:
Enhanced Training for Home Care providers
Improving the training and education of home care providers to ensure they are well-equipped to handle the unique challenges of home healthcare, including managing chronic conditions, identifying deterioration and escalation.
use of technology
Implementing telehealth and remote monitoring technologies to enhance communication between patients and providers, improve access to care, and enable real-time monitoring of patients' health status.
patient-centered care
Supporting a patient-centered approach that involves patients in their care plans, respects their preferences and addresses their individual needs and concerns.
care coordination
Strengthening care coordination among different healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, specialists and home care nurses, to support seamless and comprehensive care for patients in their home.
quality improvement initiatives
Implementing quality improvement initiatives, such as regular audits and feedback mechanisms, to identify areas for improvement and ascertain if best practices are followed.
support for caregivers
Providing support and resources for family caregivers who play a crucial role in home healthcare, including respite care, training and access to support groups.
All accessed 10/10/24: