| | The first few days after a patient is admitted to home health are the most critical. Not only is it a stressful time for patients, but they are at particular risk for adverse events and hospitalization: Almost 60 percent of acute care readmissions from home care occur during the first three weeks of home health care (Crossen-Sills, 2006). For that reason, many best practices target activities in those early days and weeks.
This Care Initiation chapter addresses five critical topic areas. The VNAA Blueprint module, Preventing Readmissions from Home Health offers a broad strategic approach to preventing readmissions. The 4 modules below offer a drill down on important strategies that contribute to prevention of readmissions.
Users are encouraged to The VNAA Blueprint's Patient Safety modules as well, including Medication Reconciliation, Risk Assessment and Patient Self-Management, which address important interventions for keeping patients out of the hospital.
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