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The
length of hospital stay of Home Health Care patients at King Khalid National
Guard Hospital, Jeddah, 1999
Nisreen
A. Jastaniah , Fahad Al-Tayyeb , Bakar Bin Sadeq.
Abstract
Objectives:
This study was initiated to identify diseases followed by Home Health
Care (HHC) Team at King Khaled National Guard Hospital (KKNGH), and to
compare the length of hospital stay, the number of outpatient and emergency
room visits in patients receiving Home Health Care to those who do not
get this service over a 6-month to one year period.
Design: This is a cross sectional study to identifying diseases
followed by Home Health Care Team and case control study for the follow
up of patients.
Setting and Participants: Home health care at King Khaled National
Guard in Jeddah . All patients followed by the HHC team on February 2000
were included. The same numbers of patients with the most frequent diagnosis
were admitted before 1997(non-HHC.
Measurements: demographic data for HHC patients, and type of care
patients needed . The second objective, total in-patients days, number
of emergency ,and clinic visits for six month to one year for HHC patient
,and non-HHC patients.
Results: There were148 patients, 83 (56.1%) male, And 65 (43.9%)
female with mean age of 47.4-year rang 6 month- 99 years. There was 111
(75%) adult (above 18 years) with mean age of 61.2 years range between
20 years -99 years. 37 (25%) pediatrics patients found with mean age of
7.3 years range 6-month -18 years. Among the 148 patients 30 (20.3%) were
found to have circulatory system disorder, mainly stroke (CVA (29). Twenty
four patients (16.2%) diagnosed as having nepotistic disease, 13 (8.8%)
patients with injuries, 10.8% with endocrine disorders mainly diabetes
and the rest were with other disorders . About 25.7% of these patients
have one more diagnosis. Ninety-three (62.8%) of HHC patients needed continuous
care (chronic care), 23 (15.5%) were for palliative care, 18 (12.2%) needed
transient care i.e. health education and flow up, while 14 (9.5%) needed
acute care after discharge from hospital. The mean hospital stay days
were 14.9 days for HHC CVA cases at the first admission, while it was
10.6 days for hospital CVA cases who did not have HHC service (P value
0.226).The mean number readmission was lower for HHC patients than for
non-HHC CVA (0.44 admission, 0.94 admission) respectively(P value 0.116).
HHC patient means clinic visits during 6month to 1 year was 2, while it
was 3.3 for hospital CVA patients. This difference has no statistical
significance (p value 0.127).
The emergency means visits during 6month -1 year for HHC cases was 1,
on the other hand it was 1.4 for the hospital patients. This also had
no statistical difference (P value 0.325).
Conclusion: Home health care at King Khaled National Guard in Jeddah
is covering different age groups with a variety of diagnosis. The most
common one was CVA. Some patients have more than one diagnosis, and have
some complex medical and social condition, that needed more than one service
(nursing, physiotherapy, social support, equipment,) these patients needed
care for a longer period of time with frequent visits per week. HHC also
provides palliative care for terminal illnesses and acute care for post
hospital discharge.The hospital readmission's, clinic visits, and emergency
visits were lower in HHC patients than non-HHC however this difference
was not statistically significant.
Abbreviations;
HHC Home Health Care. KFNGH King Fahad National Guard hospital. KKNGH
King Khaled National Guard Hospital. Non-HHC patients Patients, who did
not have HHC services. CVA Cerbrovascular Accident. DM Diabetes Maltese.
HPN hypertension.
Introduction
Home Health Care (HHC) is a formal, regulated program of care delivered
by variety of health care professionals in the patient home.1
HHC services are provided by physicians, nurses, physio-therapists, occupational
therapists, speech therapists, home care aids, social worker, and dieticians;
as well as drug and equipment supply 2.
For the last fifty years home visits started to decline. Some of the major
reasons were due to: the advancement of medical technology; a wide spread
of the telephone and communication technology enabled the physician to
give over the phone advice and to receive follow up information more readily
3. Lack of practice and experience in caring for patients at
home, medical literature concerning HHC are very few to none; and the
financial factor (since payment for HHC is considerably less than in clinics
for the same amount of time 4.
On the other hand many reasons have helped home visits to start again
and to be considered as one of the fastest growing Medicare sector. This
change could be because the in-patient model of care may not be optimally
serving the needs of the growing number of elderly and disabled people
2. The comfortable home environment makes patients choose to
receive care at home. It makes them feel a greater sense of well being
which helps in improving their participation in the management of their
care5.
Home
Health Care in Saudi Arabia
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Home Health Care services was started by
the Green Crescent Hospital in 1980, as a part of their emergency program.
[6] King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center implemented HHC
service in 1991 under the supervision of a committee to oversee its ongoing
planning and implementation, following a pilot study which indicated that
patients and their families benefited from the nursing care and psychosocial
support. The study demonstrated that such a program reduced the need for
hospital admissions, clinic, as well as the number of emergency visits.7
King Fahad National Guard Hospital (KFNGH) in Riyadh started Home Health
Care in spring 1995 6. It covers all patients referred from
KFNGH according to their selection criteria. Home care services started
on 1997 in the National Guard Hospital. H. H. R. Princess Hussa Bint Trad
Al-Shaalan officially opened it on April 29th 1998 under the supervision
of H. R. H. princes Adellah bent Abdullaa bin Abdulazeez. The service
covers all patients who are eligible to be treated in National Guard Hospital
who are home bound, need medical services, and are 50 kilometers away
from the hospital. It provides nursing, social service, physiotherapy,
respiratory therapy, dietary, psychotherapy, medications, and equipment
supply according to the patients needs.
Home
care and family medicine
Primary care physicians developed a sustained partnership with their patients
by providing an integrated, accessible health care service, practicing
in the context of family and community, and addressing patient's health
care needs 9.
So Primary care is the comprehensive management of unselected patients
with undifferentiated problems.9
The primary care doctor is responsible for the biopsychsocial model in
managing his patients and need to evaluate the environmental conditions.
One study found that home assessment of elderly patients with relatively
good health status and function resulted in the detection of an average
of four new medical problems and up to eight new intervention recommendations
per patient.10. The major problems detected included impotence,
gait and balance problems, immunization deficits, and hypertension. Significantly,
these problems had not been expected based on information obtained from
outpatient clinic encounters 11. Specific home-based interventions,
such as adjusting the elderly patient's home environment to prevent falls,
have also yielded health benefits.12
Home care is a way a family physician can conduct follow up visits with
patients with chronic illnesses. It allows the physician to assess other
factors not readily seen in hospital visits (like the home environment)
which may have a big effect on the condition and treatment of the patient.
This type of care can help bring a better understanding between patient
and doctor and can lead to better cooperation and management of the patient.
Type of visits
The following are the different types of home visits;
Illness home visits
The illness home visit involves an assessment of the patient and the provision
of care in the setting of acute or chronic illness, often in coordination
with one or more home health agencies. Emergency illness visits are infrequent
and impractical for the typical office-based physician.12
Dying patient home visits
The dying patient home visit is made to provide care to the home-bound
patient who has a terminal disease, usually in coordination with a hospice
agency. The family physician can provide valuable medical and emotional
support to family members before, during, and after the death of a patient
in the home environment.12
Assessment home visits
The assessment home visit can also be described as an investigational
visit during which the physician evaluates the role of the home environment
in the patient's health status. An assessment visit is often made when
a patient is suspected of poor compliance or has been making excessive
use of health care resources. Medication use can be evaluated in the patient
who is taking many drugs (polypharmacy) because of multiple medical problems.
Evaluation of the home environment of the "at-risk" patient
can reveal evidence of abuse, neglect or social isolation. A joint assessment
home visit facilitates coordination of the efforts of home health agencies
and the physician.12
Hospitalization follow-up home visits
Follow-up home visits after a patient has been hospitalized are very useful
when significant life changes have occurred. For example, a home visit
after the birth of a new baby provides an excellent opportunity to discuss
wellness and prevention issues and to address parental concerns. A home
visit after a major illness or surgery can be useful in evaluating the
coping behaviors of the patient and family members, as well as the effectiveness
of the home health care plan.12
Home
care and clinical pathway
Developing a clinical pathway is an important issue to evaluate and can
give measurable out come 13. It also can help in following
the patients with multiple medical problems. So many pathway models are
used to asses multiple and different issues. One of these models is the
INHOME mnemonic, which was devised to help family physicians to remember
the items to be assessed during home visits. This model is directed at
a patient's functional status and living environment. This mnemonic can
be expanded to "INHOMESSS," which incorporates investigations
of safety issues, spiritual health and home health agencies12.
The" INHOMESSS" Mnemonic stands for;
I =Immobility ,N =Nutrition ,H =Housing ,O =Other people ,M =Medications
,E =Estimations
S =Services by Home Health Agencies ,S =Spiritual Health and,S =Safety
.
Immobility
Evaluation of the patient's functional activities includes assessment
of the activities of daily living (bathing, transfer, dressing, toiling,
feeding, continence) and the instrumental activities of daily living (using
the telephone, administering medications, paying bills, shopping for food,
preparing meals, doing housework). The physician can ask the patient to
demonstrate elements of the daily routine, such as getting out of bed,
performing personal hygiene and leisure activities, and getting in and
out of a car.12
Nutrition
The physician should assess the patient's current state of nutrition,
eating behaviors, and food preferences. Healthy food preparation techniques
can also be reviewed with the patient.12
Home Environment
The patient's home environment should allow for privacy, social interaction,
spiritual and emotional comfort, and safety. A safe neighborhood within
close proximity to services is important for many older patients.12
Other People
Having the patient's social support system present at the home visit clarifies
the roles and concerns of family members. During routine visits, the physician
can assess the availability of emergency help for the patient from family
members and friends and can clarify specific issues, such as who is to
serve as surrogate for the patient in the event of incapacitation. Evaluation
of the caregiver's needs and risk of burnout is critically important.12
Medications
To remedy or avoid polypharmacy, the physician must evaluate the type,
amount and frequency of medications, and the organization and methods
of medication delivery. An inventory of the patient's medicine cabinet
can provide clues to previously unidentified drug-drug or drug-food interactions.
A home medication review can also allow a direct estimate of patient compliance.
4
Examination
The home visit should include a directed physical examination based on
the needs of the patient and the physician's agenda. Practical, function-related
examination. The physician can have the patient demonstrate proper technique
for the self-monitoring of blood glucose levels. In addition, the physician
can weigh the patient and obtain a blood pressure measurement. In-person
correlations of home and office measures provide useful information for
future telephone and clinic contacts.12
Safety
The goal of the home safety assessment is to determine whether the patient's
environment is comfortable and safe (no unreasonable risk of injury).
To raise the subject, the physician should simply state the intention
to identify and help modify potential safety hazards.12
Studies done on home health care
Studies showed that a group of elderly under 24 hours home care demonstrated
better instrumental activities of daily living, out door walking and significantly
fewer diagnosis and drugs at 6 months. They used fewer in-patients and
more out patient care than the control group. Also significant cost reduction
was found in the home care group.14
Anther study on home health showed that nurses conducted 70% of all home
visits. 15
A study found that patients with hip fracture who were under HHC (after
discharge from hospital) had lower hospital readmission for one year 16.
It concludes that there is a relative effectiveness of post acute service
and post discharge16.
Another Study described the management of patients at home after prostatectomy
is an excellent example in which patients who received home care had the
same outcome and frequency of readmission as those discharged from hospital
2 or 3 days later.17
On the other hand Cochrane Library reviewed 11 RCS studies and concluded;
that there is insufficient evidence to assess the effects of hospital-at-home
on patient outcomes or the cost to the health service. Given the heterogeneity
of what hospital-at-home encompasses and the uncertainty over its effects,
future research should clearly specify the type of service being provided,
both at home and at hospital, and the specific patient groups. Patient
health outcomes, patient and carrier satisfaction, and costs should be
measured, and studies should include a formal, planned economic analysis.
Studies should be large enough to detect important differences and to
ensure generalisability of the result18.
Rationale
Home Health Care helps the physician to fully understand the social factors
related to his patient. This understanding will assist the physician in
patient management as well as strengthen the patient-doctor relationship.
From my knowledge very few studies were carried out locally on HHC 7
despite its importance, so this study may help in bridging this gap.
Aim
The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the Home Health
Care program at King Khalid National Guard Hospital (KKNGH).
Objectives
The objectives of this study are:
| 1 |
To
identify the different diseases followed by the Home Health Care Team
at KKNGH and to determine the most frequent diseases. |
| 2 |
To
compare the length of hospital stay, the number of outpatients and
emergency room visits with Home Health Care services in the treatment
of the same frequent diseases. This was to be done within a 6-month
period or more depending on case of study. |
Area profile
The city of Jeddah is located in the western region of Saudi Arabia and
borders the eastern coast of the Red Sea. Jeddah is nearly 580 square
kilometres, and it population is around 2 million.8 The Ministry
of Health, Military, National Guard, Private hospitals and Primary Health
Care Centres cover the medical services in the city. The research in this
study will be carried out in the Home Health Care Centre, at King abdulazeez
medical city .Um Al Salam area, Jeddah.
Methodology
Preparatory phase
Following a considerable review of the literature, the researcher prepared
a preliminary checklist. After the research proposal was formally accepted,
the preset checklist was tested on a sample of records. The checklist
was modified, following this small pilot study.
Type of the study
This is a cross sectional study for the first objective, and case control
study for the second objective.
Patients and data collection
Data was collected for All patients followed by the HHC team on February
2000. All these patients were eligible for treatment in the National Guard
Hospital. All were Saudi patients (the first check list was used for that).
Patient name, mrn, age, sex, referring department, type of care i.e. (transitional
-for limited time-, acute for evaluation, palliative for advanced cancer
and terminal illness and chronic for those who need long time flow up),
and services provided i.e. (nursing, social, equipment, physiotherapy,
respiratory therapy, dietary, and psychotherapy). Data entered into the
computer for analysis was done using the SPSS program.
The same numbers of patients with the most frequent disease were admitted
before 1997(non-HHC). Data was taken from the hospital records for comparing
the length of stay during the first admission, the number of subsequent
admissions and number of both emergency and clinic visits for 6 month
to one-year time.
Tools of the study
Two checklists used (appendixes 1, 2). The first list included the following
variables; patient name, MRN, age, gender, diagnosis, and the type of
care given for HHC patients. The second list included; patient name, age,
gender, diagnosis, and total in-patients days, and number of emergency
and clinic visits for one year to six months. A Copy of both lists will
be submitted in the appendix.
Case
Selection Criteria
All Saudi patients, male and female with the most frequent diagnosis for
flow up and under the care of the HHC department at KKNG Hospital during
February 2000 have been included in this study. They were followed for
at least a period of 6 months.
Control
Selection Criteria
The following are the selection criteria for the control (non-HHC patients)
who were included in the study:
- must be Saudi patient
- they must have
the same diagnosis as the case patient
- never had HHC service
- They were treated
at KKNG hospital before 1997(before the implementation of HHC).
- The numbers of
control were equal to the number of cases.
Data Analysis
The researcher entered all data to the SPSS program on a personal computer.
Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS program. Chiseqare, T. test,
anova and other tests were used for data analysis. A p-value of 0.05 or
less was taken as statistically significant in the final data analysis
and confidence interval of 95%. To insure correct data entry, all entered
records were rechecked.
Ethical Consideration
| - |
Letter
from the main supervisor of the Joint Program of the Family and Community
Medicine for KKNG Health Affairs. |
| - |
All
information in the file will be kept confidential. |
Results
Sample size
The total number of patients under HHC during February 2000 was
148 patients. The most frequent diagnosis was cerbrovascular accident
(CVA) 30 patients (20.3%). Sixteen patients who had follow up for more
than 6 month were compared with 16 non-HHC CVA patients.
Age & gender
There were 83 (56.1%) male. And 65 (43.9%) female with mean age
of 47.4-year rang 6 month- 99 years. Among the 148 patients there was
111 (75%) adult (above 18 years) with mean age of 61.2 years range between
20 years -99 years. 37 (25%) pediatrics patients found with mean age of
7.3 years range 6-month -18 years.
Table
1. Distribution of sex by age-group
| AGE |
GROUPS
SEX TOTAL |
Total |
| Male
(%) |
Female
(%) |
| 0 - 4 |
8 (5%) |
5 (3.4%) |
13 (8.8%) |
| 5 - 14 |
10 (6.8%) |
10 (6.8%) |
20 (13.6%) |
| 15 - 40 |
14 (9.5%) |
9 (6.1%) |
23 (15.6%) |
| 41 - 65 |
18 (12.2%) |
21 (14.2%) |
39 (26.4%) |
| > 65 |
33 (22.3%) |
20 (13.5%) |
53 (35.8%) |
| Total |
83 (56.1%) |
65 (43.9%) |
148 (100%) |

Fig
1 HHC & Non - HHC patients
Among the 148 patients 30 (20.3%) were found to have circulatory system
disorder, mainly stroke (CVA (29). Twenty four patients (16.2%) diagnosed
as having nepotistic disease, 13 (8.8%) patients with injuries, 10.8%
with endocrine disorders mainly diabetes and the rest were with other
disorders like central nerves system disorders, dermatological, genitourinary,
and bone diseases (Table 2). About 23 (15.5%) of patients were pediatric,
suffering from mental retardation and other syndromes. About 25.7% of
these patients have one more diagnosis i.e. diabetes or hypertension.
Nine point five percent have two or more other diagnoses.
Table
2 Distribution of HHC patients' diagnosis by
gender
| DiagnosisCategory |
Sex |
Total |
| Male |
Female |
| Circulatory
disorder |
20 (66.7%) |
10 (33.3%) |
30 (20.3%) |
| Neoplasm's |
11 (45.8%) |
13 (54.2%) |
24 (16.2%) |
| Injuries |
11 (84.6%) |
2 (15.4%) |
13 (8.8%) |
| Endocrine
disorder |
8 (50%) |
8 (50%) |
16 (10.8%) |
| Pediatric
diseases |
14 (60.9%) |
9 (39.1%) |
23 (15.5%) |
| Others |
19 (45.2%) |
23 (54.8%) |
42 (28.4%) |
| Total |
83 (56.1%) |
65 (43.9%) |
148 (100%) |
Age
& diagnosis
Out of the 30 cases that have circulatory system disorders 24(80%)
were in the age group of more than 65 years. Neoplasms were more common
in the age group from 41-65 years 12 (50%). Injuries were found to be
more common in the age groups 15-65 years Fig 2.
Figure 2 Age
and diagnosis

Type
of care
Ninety-three (62.8%) of HHC patients needed continuous care (chronic
care), 23 (15.5%) were for palliative care, 18 (12.2%) needed transient
care i.e. health education and flow up, while 14 (9.5%) needed acute care
after discharge from hospital. (Table 3 Type of care with diagnosis).
Table
3 Diagnosis & type of care
| Type
of Care |
| Diagnosis |
Acute |
Chronic |
Palliative |
Transient |
Total |
| Circulatory |
2 |
24 |
|
4 |
30 |
| Neoplasm |
1 |
1 |
18 |
4 |
24 |
| Injuries |
|
10 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
| Endocrine |
3 |
12 |
1 |
|
16 |
| Pediatric |
2 |
18 |
1 |
2 |
23 |
| Others |
6 |
28 |
2 |
6 |
42 |
| Total |
14
(19.5%) |
93
(62.8%) |
23
(15.5%) |
18(12/2%) |
148
(100%) |
Referring
department
Eighty-eight
patients (59.5%) referred from medical departments, 31 patients (20.5%)
surgical referrals, 26 patients (17.6%) from pediatrics departments, and
3 patients (2%) from other departments. Thus showed that there was significant
difference between medical department and other referring departments.
There was no statistical difference among surgical patients and medical
department patients by age (T test .99, df 117, P value 0.32). Also there
were no statistical differences by the number of services provided to
patients and the referring departments (F test 2.2, P value of 0.1). Fig
3

Fig
3 Referring department
Service
given
Out of 148 patients, 137 (92%)
needed nursing care. This was the most frequent type of service provided
to the HHC cases. About 68 (45.9%) of the patients needed physiotherapy.
Social support, and evaluation given to 43 (29%) of the patients. About
25 (17%) patients needed equipment. Nutritional advice and supplements
provided for 33 (22.3%) patient's, 10 (6.8%) patients needed respiratory
therapy, 8 (5.4 %) patients were given occupational therapy to help them
to restore their normal daily function, and only 4 (2.7%) patients needed
psychotherapy. Table 4. Sixty-seven percent of the patients needed one,
or two services. The rest 33% needed more than 2 services. There was no
statistical difference between age.
Table
4 services given to patients
| Service |
Patients
(%) |
Service |
Patients
(%) |
| Nursing |
137
(92) |
Nutritional |
33
(22.3) |
| Physiotherapy |
68
(45.9) |
Respiratory |
10
(6.8) |
| Social |
43
(29) |
Occupation |
8
(5.4) |
| Equipment |
25
(17) |
Psychotherapy |
4
(2.7) |
Age
& number of other diagnosis
Age was correlated to the number of diagnosis other than the main
diagnosis for which the patients were being followed. One or more diagnosis
found in 19 (48.7%) of cases from 41-65 years, also it was 31 (58.5%)
of patients more than 65years. There was an association between age group
and the presence of other diagnosis. As the patients age increased patients
had one or more other diagnosis (chi- square 39.6, df 4, P value 0.01.

Fig
4. Age and other diagnosis
HHC
and non-HHC patients
Sixteen
patients of HHC clients with CVA who were followed for more than 6 months
were selected for comparing the length of hospital stay, other admission
days, clinic visits, and emergency visit numbers with 16 non-HHC CVA patients.
Among HHC CVA cases there were 11 males and 5 females with mean age of
79.9 years Std +, - 11.9. The non-HHC cases were 16 patients who had CVA
before 1997 (8 males and 8 females) with mean age 76.2 Std +, - 5.3. There
was no statistical difference in age of both HHC & non-HHC patients
(T test 1.6, df 30, P value 0.13), and in sex (Chi-square 1.1, df 1, P
value 0.28). There was also no statistical difference in the number of
other diagnosis in both groups (Chi-square 1.1,df 1, P value 0.28). Table
5.
Table
5 comparison of HHC & Non-HHC CVA cases
| HHC
& non-HHC CVA |
Statistical
test |
P
value |
| Age |
T
test = 1.6 |
0.13 |
| Gender |
Chi-sq.
= 1.1 |
0.28 |
| Other
diagnoses Number |
Chi-sq.
= 2.7 |
0.43 |
Hospital stays & number of readmission
The
mean hospital stay days were 14.9 days for HHC CVA cases at the first
admission, while it was 10.6 days for hospital CVA cases who did not have
HHC service. But there was no statistical significance (T test 1.2, df
30, P value 0.226). The mean number readmission was lower for HHC patients
than for non-HHC CVA (0.44 admission, 0.94 admission) respectively. This
difference was not of statistical significance (T test 1.6, df 30, P value
0.116). There was no statistical difference in the total of other admissions
days (T test 1.09, df 30, P value 0.282).
Number
of clinic & emergency visits
HHC
patient means clinic visits during 6month to 1 year was 2, while it was
3.3 for hospital CVA patients. This difference showed no statistical significance
(T test 1.57, df 30, p value 0.127). The emergency means visits during
6month -1 year for HHC cases was 1, on the other hand it was 1.4 for the
hospital patients. This also had no statistical difference (T test 1,
df 30, P value 0.325). Figure5.

Fig
5. HHC & Non-HHC Patients
Discussion
Home
care is an important health service, which deals with patients in their
home environment, and the sharing in their management. It has many advantages
for both the patients and health services. The Ages in this study ranged
from 6 months to 99 years, with a mean of 47 years and a median of 56.5
years. This is lower than what was reported in studies done in Nebraska,
New Jersey, and Wisconsin. In these studies the age of HHC patients ranged
from birth to 104 years with a median of 68.6 years.18 This
difference maybe due to longer life expectancy in the western community
and larger number of elderly.
Male gender was 56.1%, which is higher than that reported as 42% in the
Nebraska study 18.
Among
KKNG HHC patients circulatory system disorders mainly stroke (CVA), were
the most frequent diagnosis (20.3%), this goes along with the American
study, which showed 23.8% of the cases being circulatory system disorders.
The high prevalence of circulatory disorders are related to multiple risk
factors i.e. DM, HPN, smoking ...etc.
About
16.2% of the patients studied were diagnosed to have neoplastic disease
similar to 16.9 % reported in the American study 18. However,
in endocrine disorders it was mainly diabetes at (10.8%). This was higher
than what was reported in the American study, which showed 9.5% of cases
being endocrine disorders 18. Maybe this can be explained by
the higher prevalence of diabetes we have in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The American study reported 10.8% of injuries in HHC cases while the current
study showed only 8.8%. The lower percentage rates maybe a result of the
geographical location of the National Guard Hospital. It is relatively
far away and most RTA and injuries cases referred to other hospitals (i.e.
King Fahad General Hospital). There were no significant differences found
in comparing central system disorders, dermatological, genitourinary,
and bone diseases from those presented by the American study 18.
The
most commons disorders for HHC clients were the same in both studies (circulatory
disorders and neoplasm's). These results are consistent with the most
common causes of morbidity and moralities. So more efforts need to be
done in the prevention and control of their risk factors. (i.e. screening
for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and treatment at early stages
has to be started). Injuries were seen more frequently in the age range
from 15 years -65 years. More commonly males are more vulnerable to injuries
than females because they are more active, out doors and plus they are
driving. That is why it is very important that more education about safety
measures during driving and other out door activities has to be directed
to these groups.
For
the patients in this study there was 52 (35%) that had other diagnosis's
like DM, IHD, and HPN. These cases were more complex and needed more services
for follow up. This study showed no significant difference in the length
of hospital stay between HHC patients who were diagnosed to have CVA and
those with CVA and who did not have the home care services. (14.9 days,
10.6 days for HHC and hospital cases respectively). The mean numbers of
hospital admissions for HHC patients were lower (0.44) than non-HHC case
(0.94) for hospital CVA patients. This difference has no statistical significance.
This may be due to a small sample size. On the other hand meta-analysis
that reviewed 13 studies showed reduction of initial hospital stay by
1.7 days and significantly reduced the total number of hospital days for
one year by 2.6 days per patient with different diagnosis's.5
The
mean for HHC clinic visits during 6 months to 1 year was 2 visits. This
was lower than non-HHC cases which mean was 3.3 visits. This difference
showed no statistical significant. However, there was a reduction by approximately
3 visits per patient in other study.5 The results of the current
study maybe due to a shorter duration of follow up or cases of CVA needed
more care and had more complex problems. The means for emergency visits
in HHC cases were lower than non-HHC patients (1 visit, 1.4 visits respectively).
But this has no statistical difference, because the same result was found
in other studies previously mentioned.5 These results could
be affected by small sample size, diagnosis (CVA) with other complex conditions
and by the method of follow up (patients might be registered in more than
one hospital). On the other hand HHC patient may stick to KKNGH because
of its HHC service. Other studies done on HHC CVA cases showed interesting
sides of the issue that have not been studied in the current study. Thus
Two studies done on CVA patients who are receiving home care showed an
increase in the patient and carer satisfaction.20 Also anther
study showed that adverse outcome was less in CVA patients receiving home
therapy.20
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to HHC team. And medical records in KKNGH.
References:
| 1 |
Montauk,
S. L. Home Health Care. American Family Physician 1998; 58:1608- 1614. |
| 2 |
Linda
N. Meurer, M.D, M.P.H, John R. Meurer, M.D., M.M., and Richard Holloway,
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American Family Physician August 1997; 56: |
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Ian
R. Mcwhinney, M.D.,F.R.C.G.P.A Textbook of Family Medicine, 2nd Edition
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| 4 |
Home
Care by Lawrence H. Bernstein |
| 5 |
How
to get the most benefit from a changing home health care system Appavuchetty
Soundappan, MD Terry Goodwin, MA, RN Roberta Greengold, MS, MBA, RN
Eugenia L. Siegler, MD |
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Services for Terminally Ill patients in Saudi Arabia, by Alan J. Gray,
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Jeddah
Today 1994. Published by: Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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| 9 |
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R. Phillips. Building the Future of Health Care on the Foundations
of Family Practice. Family Practice Management, Jan 2000. Am Aca Fam
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Ramsdell
SW, Swart J, Jackson JE, Renvall M. The yield of home visit in the
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fall. Top Geriatr Rehabil 1990; S 178-84. |
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BK, Jerant AF. The home visit. American Family Physician., 1999(Oct.1).
Am Aca Fam Phy (AAFP). |
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SR, Chambers KA. Home Health Care: Clinical pathways and quality integration.
Nursing Management, June 1997; 28(6): 45-48. |
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AL, Hakansson S, Bygren LO. The cost effectiveness of rehabilitation
in the home: A study of Swedish elderly. Am J Pub Health, Mar 1993;
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AE, Aronow HU, Steiner A, Alessi CA, Bula CJ, Gold MN, Yuhas KE et
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for elderly people living in the community. The New England Journal
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Intrator
O, Berg K. Benefits of Home Health Care after inpatient rehabilitation
for hip fracture: Health service use by medicare beneficiaries, 1987-1992.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1998 (Oct.); 79: 1195-1199. |
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Mostafa
M. Elhilali. Early hospital discharge and home care. Canadian Journal
of Surgery 1997(Feb.);4. |
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Gijn
JV, Dennis MS. Issues and Answers in Stroke Care. Lancet 1998 (Oct.
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S, Lliffe S. Hospital-at-home versus in-patient hospital care. The
Cochrane Library, (1) 2000; Oxford: Update Software. |
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Martin
KS, Scheet NJ, Stegman MR. Home Health Clients: Characteristics, Outcomes
of Care, and Nursing Interventions. Am J Pub Health 1993 (Dec.); 83
(12): 1730-1734. |
|
November
2004
Volume
1,
Issue
2
Table
of Contents
Home
Editorial
Ageing
Meet
the team
Blood
RNA concentration in Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia
Serum
Zinc and Copper Concentration in Human-Age related cataract
The
likelihood of being helped versus being harmed: useful in geriatric treatment
dilemma's
Feasibility
of the Divided Attention Steering Simulator (DASS) for the Assessment
of Vigilance in Stroke Patients
The
European Nursing Academy for Care of Older persons (ENACO)
Urogenital
atrophy in climacteric women: Menopause or Geripause?
Middle-East
Academy for Medicine of Ageing, third session of the first course
The
diagnosis and management of Dementia
The
length of hospital stay of Home Health Care patients at King Khalid National
Guard Hospital, Jeddah, 1999.
Congratulation!
|