Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. In the U.S., nearly 250,000 people are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, and about 50,000 die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Identifying the signs and symptoms of pneumonia can help the patient take action and address concerns before there is an urgent need for hospitalization.
Quality First Home Care’s skilled team of clinicians can help.
Home health provides care to a patient who needs medical management. Pneumonia patients can suffer for weeks with symptoms and home health can make visits to assess their progression and monitor their oxygen levels and their oral medication intake, as well as assist them with their activities of daily living.
Pneumonia in elderly adults can often be serious and progress quickly. In fact, pneumonia is the second leading cause for hospitalization of Medicare beneficiaries, and most of the people who die from pneumonia each year are elderly adults, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).
Ask these questions to determine if the patient would benefit from home health:
Is the patient Short of Breath (SOB) when walking, e.g., when they walk down the hall or going from room to room at home? Do you think they can safely climb stairs?
Has the patient been ordered antibiotics to treat pneumonia at home?
Which patients will need help with activities due to their shortness of breath?
Which patients are going home without a caregiver, and are you concerned about their safety?
How can Quality First Home Care help with Pneumonia Patients?
Home Care Services for a Pneumonia Patient:
Nursing
Disease process education
Respiratory Assessment
Fall risk identification and reduction
Medication Instruction
Deep-breathing techniques
Percussion, which is also known as Chest PT
Oxygen saturation
OT and PT
Energy conservation for ADLs
Home safety
O2 management
Home exercise program
Energy Conservation
Fall risk reduction
If you are a provider, patient, or caregiver and need additional information, please contact your local branch office. You will find all of our locations and their direct phone numbers at https://www.qualityfirsthc.com/locations