5. Community Medicine Flashcards
What are community hospitals?
Small local hospitals that provide a range of services to their local community, from community beds and maternity, to X ray departments and minor injuries units.
What is the role of intermediate care?
A community hospital providing beds and associated clinics and therapy to promote independence, avoid admission to a DGH (step up) and reduce stays in DGH (step down).
They focus on rehabilitation.
What is the BGS Community and Primary Care Group?
A BGS group that aims to improve the quality of care for older people beyond acute settings, by reducing hospital admission and the associated risk of potential harms such as deconditioning and delayed discharge.
What is the purpose of geriatric rehabilitation?
Restore function and improve the quality of life in older people, by preserving functional independence.
What are the components of rehabilitation of the older adult?
- emphasise functional activity
- improve balance
- good nutrition
- good general care
- social and emotional support
What admission alternatives are there for older patients?
- paramedics
- community hospital
- emergency department interventions
- hospital at home
- hospital at care-home
What is NHS continuing healthcare?
MDT assesses eligibility for a package of care for patients who have a primary health need, arranged and funded by the NHS.
What is the discharge to access process?
Allows patients to be discharged to their own home, or another community setting, once they are clinically optimised and no longer require an acute hospital bed.
However, the patient may still require care services. This is also known as ‘step down’ care.
What are the benefits of discharge to access care?
- health outcomes improve as people live at home for longer
- length of stay in hospital bed decreases
- enhances working relationship between MDT
- shares responsibility and allows creative solutions
In patients over the age of 80, 10 days in the hospital leads to the equivalent of [time] ageing in the muscles.
10 years
What is residential care?
Long-term care provided in a care home, for people who’s care needs cannot be met at home.
What is the difference between residential care and nursing home care?
Residential care - provide personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, going to the toilet and taking medication.
Nursing care - same as residential care PLUS having a qualified nurse on duty at all times, so suitable for patients with significant medication needs.
What is the purpose of intermediate care?
- allows patients to remain at home
- recover after a fall, acute illness or operation
- avoid going into hospital
- return home more quickly after a hospital stay
- reablement after a hospital stay
Who is involved in the intermediate care team?
A MDT:
- occupational therapists
- physiotherapists
- speech and language therapists
- care home staff
- home care staff
How long is intermediate care free?
Up to 6 weeks after hospital discharge. If care is needed for longer than 6 weeks, you can apply for a needs assessment from social services.
