Posted February 14, 2021
Consistency Counts in the Continuum of Care
Comfort and Joy!
Kicking off good quality care in the Emergency Department makes good sense and essentially sets the tone for the patient experience.
Hospitals. While we’re certainly glad they exist, entering one is not typically on our top ten list of favorite things to do. And in the ever-changing world of healthcare, there are few guarantees. But consistent quality of care from entry to exit is important and healthcare facilities are putting a lot of thought and effort into delivering a seamless experience.
The continuum of care is a combined care system that guides and tracks patients over time. Like a trusted friend, it follows patients through different levels of care, like the ED or rehabilitation. But, it also accompanies the patient to different facilities like acute care hospitals or long term care. So, where does the continuum of care really start?
Why not begin at the beginning?
Kicking off good quality care in the Emergency Department makes good sense and essentially sets the tone for the patient experience. Alleviating pain and discomfort right off the bat, is a good jumping off point. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 50 million Americans suffer from and seek medical attention for chronic pain. That’s a lot. And while not all of the pain sufferers are experiencing skin issues, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) estimates that 2.5 million people ARE developing pressure injuries annually. With pain and pressure injuries going hand in hand, protecting a patient’s skin in their journey through the care continuum will most likely provide a boost to the patient satisfaction levels. But, how do we do this?
Consistency is key! Support surfaces specially designed for pressure injury management and comfort are ideal for early intervention. But the relief can’t stop in the ED. The support surface should be durable and mobile enough to stay with the patient from entry to exit and beyond. Because the side effects of pain can be debilitating, it is important to maintain this continuity of care. A support surface effective in pressure injury prevention that also offers portability is a wise addition to any skin protection protocol.
Specialty beds have certainly come a long way in patient care. They’re sleek and high tech. But, with certain exceptions, they don’t always follow the patient throughout the continuum. Choose a support surface versatile enough to remain steadfast to the patient’s care plan from entry to discharge. Find the ideal support surface solution to best meet the patient’s needs – because matching the patient to the product is always the best course of action.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10293297
