ECPObesity’s Post

HCA hospital failed to protect NICU patients: Report: After an HCA Healthcare hospital discovered fractures on four infant patients in 2023, the Virginia health department found reporting deficiencies, and in 2024, three more infants had similar fractures, according to The Washington Post.  http://dlvr.it/THL9bS

Your Support Changes Lives! Here’s just one patient success story: Meet Ms. J, an 85-year-old woman who found hope through a house-call program after years of struggling alone. With a history of heart problems and epilepsy, Ms. J faced significant barriers to consistent medical care due to Medicare budget cuts, limited transportation options, and financial constraints. She lived independently in subsidized housing without a caregiver but struggled to afford her medication, resulting in dangerously fluctuating blood thinning levels. HomeCare Physicians, part of Northwestern Medicine, stepped in to provide consistent home-based primary care, bridging the gap caused by Medicare cuts and the patient’s mobility challenges. The HCP medical director performed regular house calls, enabling closer monitoring of health and identification of critical issues. As a result, Ms. J avoided nursing home care, her health improved, and she maintained her independence while benefiting from a stronger social network. Your gift ensures more people like Ms. J can receive life-changing care. Here's how you can help: https://ow.ly/zg7t50UReAW #MakeADifference #HCCImpact #HealthcareAtHome #HouseCalls

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced today that the Bellevue Adult Primary Care service, including the Geriatric Medicine team, have been designated as an Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS) – Committed to Care Excellence for the high-quality care they provide to older adult patients. This distinction requires demonstrated progress towards the reliable practice of a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care for all older adults, known as the “4Ms”: What Matters, Medication, Mentation (Mind), and Mobility. The AFHS designation is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the US: https://on.nyc.gov/4a9sMXO.

Since choosing to focus on developing solutions that help older adults live independently at home, I've been on a continuous learning journey. This journey is a unique blend of leveraging advanced technology, interpreting clinical data, and deeply understanding the challenges faced by older adults and their families. Attending an insightful evening with Geriatrician, Dr Lucy Pollock, organised by Age UK Camden at The British Library last night, provided valuable insights into these issues. Here are some key takeaways: - Medication management for those with multiple chronic conditions contributes to 1 in 10 emergency hospital admissions. - One-third of older adults admitted to the hospital will not survive beyond a year. - Most falls among the elderly are preventable. - Advance care planning is crucial and focuses on what matters most to patients. - Empowering patients and prioritising their needs should be at the heart of care. - Doing housework at home is good for your health (prompted my husband to do some hoovering today!) But seriously, the issues around keeping older adults at home are complex and not just medical. Our team—myself, Adeola Ajayi, and Lawrence O'Keeffe (real name Peter) —are working hard to develop a solution that will help reduce admissions and keep people at home, which is what most of them want. If you can offer advice, are interested in piloting our solution, or can help spread the word, please DM me! #healthy #ageing #livingathome

Great to see this - “Hospital at home is a safe alternative to inpatient care The research team recruited more than 1,000 older people (over 65 years) from across the UK and randomly assigned them to either hospital or hospital at home care. The patients had all been referred for urgent hospital admission because of a sudden change in health. After 6 months, around three quarters of patients from both groups still lived at home. Those who received hospital care were slightly more likely to have moved into residential care. Their findings were published in Annals of Internal Medicine. The number of patients who had died in either group at 6 months was very similar (around 17%). After 1 month, patients who were treated at home were less likely to experience extreme confusion. Overall, patients preferred hospital at home care and said that communication with their care staff was better. When the team compared the cost of care, they found that hospital at home was less expensive overall than inpatient treatment. Savings made through staff time, medicines, transport and residential care totalled around £2,265 per patient. The savings increased to £2,840 when informal care costs were also included. These results were published in the journal Age and Ageing.” The whole thing is well worth a read but in a nutshell the researchers found - Outcomes? As good or better Patients? Prefer it Communication? Better Cost? Is Lower #VirtualWards #HospitalAtHome #NIHRMakingADifference

As leaders in emergency medical services, we play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of our aging population. The CMS Age-Friendly Hospital Measure is a critical initiative designed to enhance the quality of care for older adults. This measure focuses on the "4Ms" framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. By integrating these principles into our practices, we can significantly improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Why is this important? 1. Patient-Centered Care: Understanding and prioritizing what matters most to our older patients ensures that their care aligns with their personal goals and preferences. 2. Safe Medication Practices: Reducing polypharmacy and ensuring appropriate medication use minimizes adverse drug events. 3. Cognitive Health: Addressing mentation helps in identifying and managing conditions like delirium, dementia, and depression. 4. Mobility: Promoting safe mobility reduces the risk of falls and enhances overall physical health. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) has been a strong advocate for this measure, providing valuable resources and guidance to healthcare providers. By adopting the CMS Age-Friendly Hospital Measure, we can lead the way in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to our aging population. Let's commit to making our healthcare system more age-friendly. #AgeFriendlyCare #EMSLeaders #HealthcareImprovement #IHI #PatientCenteredCare

GP Research Review Issue 248 Is OUT NOW! In this issue, "a randomised controlled trial found that patients with severe hip osteoarthritis (aged ≥50 years) experienced significantly greater improvements in pain and function with total hip replacement than with resistance training." Independent commentary is provided by Dr Christopher Tofield (Barts Health NHS Trust). Read your copy HERE: https://lnkd.in/gvFQwgWF Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network Nurse Practitioners New Zealand The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

Are you a GP or medical professional seeking to deepen your understanding of cerebral palsy and enhance patient care? Mycpguide curates invaluable resources designed specifically for healthcare providers. This resource "Cerebral palsy for general practitioners - the NDIS for GPs " from Murdoch Children's Research Institute offers comprehensive insights into managing cerebral palsy in a general practice setting. Learn about practical strategies for supporting patients through the NDIS framework. This resource aims to help medical professionals improve patient outcomes by understanding their unique health needs. By accessing this resource, you’ll gain knowledge needed to provide inclusive, informed, and compassionate care to individuals with cerebral palsy. View this resource and browse more: https://buff.ly/3OS8GY8 #CerebralPalsy #MedicalResource #NDIS

Did you know that Alzheimer's Disease has a significant impact on both individuals and healthcare systems? Approximately 25% of Nursing Home residents with Alzheimer's Disease are hospitalized in the last six months of their life, which contributes to a substantial portion of Medicare spending. In fact, these hospitalizations account for around 40% of the total Medicare expenditure on Nursing Home residents. This not only reflects the high medical needs of those living with dementia but also the increasing burden on healthcare resources. . 🧠💙 #DementiaAwareness #AlzheimersCare #HealthcareCosts #SupportCaregivers #Medicare #AlzheimersResearch

The Importance of Family Medicine in Reducing Healthcare Costs Recent studies have shown that a robust primary care system can significantly lower healthcare costs. Family medicine plays a crucial role in this by providing comprehensive, continuous care that focuses on prevention and early intervention. When patients have access to quality primary care, they are more likely to receive timely treatments, reducing the need for expensive emergency services and hospitalizations. Family physicians build long-term relationships with their patients, allowing them to understand their health histories and individual needs better. This personalized approach leads to better health outcomes and ultimately saves money for both patients and the healthcare system. Let’s advocate for stronger support for family medicine and primary care initiatives. Together, we can make a difference! #familymedicine #primarycare #aafp