For many, the care of a loved one after being discharged from a hospital can be a worrisome thought and often leaves family members distraught at the prospect. What many fail to realise, is that every hospital should have a discharge planner. A discharge planner at discharge assistance Nassau County companies assist the family with the planning in terms of after-care.
The Main Goals Are:
· To ensure the patient still has the best care available, taking unique circumstances into account
· To ensure that neither the patient nor the families experience this life changing event as burdensome and frightful
Discharge assistance Nassau County companies wish to see patients taken care of to the best of their abilities. Discharge planning starts long before the actual discharge, as potential discharge patients are identified long before to ensure planning is put in place from the earliest possible moment. This would include screening and putting together a plan that has been discussed with the hospital as well as with the family members. The family of the patient is responsible for approaching the discharge planner to set the wheels in motion.
It is not only the discharge planners assessment of the patient that determines the plan, as the physician and other healthcare professionals also need to give their recommendations, therefore the process needs to start at the earliest possible moment. It is also important that the patient and family are kept in the loop, as this has a direct effect on their lifestyles. Discharge assistance Nassau County businesses inform the families and patient that there is more than one route that can be followed in most cases.
Discharge assistance Nassau County service includes situations where home care, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice programs are taken into consideration. It also involves outpatient care or treatment including adult day service programs. Respite care and provision of durable medical equipment is imperative to ensure a smooth process. Community and mental health support agencies are often overlooked and are vital to the success rate of a recovering patient. Often patients are also not aware of benefits and services they are entitled to, for instance Medicaid and Food Stamps.
Discharge planning in Nassau County ensures that the plan is ready at least 24 hours before the patient is discharged. The plan will describe the most important functions after discharge:
· What care and services are needed after discharge
· How the services will be provided
· What is needed for optimal recovery and maintenance of the patient’s health status
