The Medical System Is Changing

The medical system in Nashville is changing, posing dangerous conditions to unsuspecting residents. We wanted to let you know so you can be prepared if you find yourself dealing with a hospital discharge situation in the months ahead.

Many families aren’t aware that someone needs to serve as a discharge advocate when it's time to leave the hospital or rehab facility. It's easy to assume each care sector is working in coordination, from hospital, to rehab, to physician. Unfortunately, this is no longer a given.

 

"I can't move you!"

Our home care agency received a call recently. The woman said, “My husband was discharged today, and I can’t get him out of the car.” This, not to mention all the other needful arrangements, had apparently not been a consideration when the facility declared it was time for him to go home.

The situation extends beyond lack of mobility. Medication mistakes are also dangerous, especially when medications prescribed by doctors are updated or added to by hospitals and then again by rehab centers without any coordination between the three.

Frequently we see people being sent home without anyone having arranged for home health or necessary supplies and equipment to be ordered so they can live at home safely.

"You have to leave tomorrow."

We had another scenario a few weeks ago where a rehab center declared a lady must be released immediately without confirmation that she was healthy enough to go home.

Her husband, 80 years old with a heart condition, wasn’t sure he’d be able to care for her at home. They didn’t own the supplies and equipment she would need to live at home safely.

The rehab facility simply declared to the family that her insurance coverage ended, so either she was out (or exorbitant fees would kick in). If her family hadn't called Cura for assistance, they would have been left to fend for themselves, as the closest family lives in Washington DC.

What you can do

Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming too common. If you or your loved one spends time in the hospital or rehab, make sure to speak up and require that every necessary appointment is scheduled before you leave. Make sure the medication list is reviewed by your pharmacist to ensure any updated medications won’t introduce contraindications.

In the current medical landscape, it’s important to arm yourself with a bold advocate. Hospitalization and rehab are expensive enough without a bungled discharge process, mismanaged medications, disorientation, and a preventable fall restarting the whole process.

AARP reports that 95% of seniors surveyed want to remain at home, but coming home after a hospital or rehab stay requires advocacy, and in many cases, assistance for a short period of time.

We'd love to help!

With proper planning we can help seniors live healthy, happy and safe at home. Our Discharge Success Program is free for our clients, and for non-clients it's very affordable. We believe having a bold advocate can save exponentially in the long run, so don't hesitate to ask how we can help you navigate the changing medical landscape.