Five Helpful Words for Avoiding the ER
1. Prevent: Proactive Care is the common denominator for better patient outcomes. Patients who have regular contact with a healthcare provider and their team are better educated on managing their health, understand the impact of lifestyle choices, and are more receptive to medical advice. The Value-Based Care model employed by South Carolina & Georgia House Calls (SC & GA HC) is about outcomes that measurably seek to improve a patient’s health.
2. Manage: Medication nonadherence is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations, especially among our senior population. Taking prescription drugs without proper attention to dosing requirements or stopping a medication without consulting a doctor can exacerbate an illness and potentially lead to an ER visit or hospitalization. Medication nonadherence is estimated to cost over $500 billion annually in the US alone. SC & GA HC have pharmacists who perform medication consultations with each patient. Technology, like innovative medication dispensing and automated in-home solutions, helps to ensure patients remain on track with medication management.
3. Foresight: One of the easiest ways to insure against unexpected health problems is to take advantage of an annual wellness exam. The exam screens patients for high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, osteoporosis, body mass index, and other potential problems that are better identified early before developing into something more serious. The exam is not only a good healthcare decision, but Medicare encourages its use by covering 100 percent of its cost.
4. Monitor: It is estimated that six in ten adults today have at least one chronic disease, and four in ten have two or more chronic diseases. The active management of patients with chronic diseases is critical for keeping symptoms under control. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is a tool that gives (SC & GA HC) providers a considerable advantage by providing a daily window into a patient’s vitals. RPM monitors a patient’s vitals in the home and then transmits their information to a central location where medical professionals analyze it. This real-time data allows providers a way to address problems before they escalate. RPM has been invaluable for keeping patients out of the emergency room and possible hospitalization.
5. Control: Diabetes is an excellent example of a disease that significantly benefits from a team approach to healthcare. Diabetes left untreated can lead to severe multiple healthcare complications. The medical professionals within (SC & GA HC) who make up the diabetic specialty team each have extensive experience in treating and controlling diabetes and its related symptoms. Dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, and chronic care management representatives all have their roles in this team-based care initiative.
SC House Calls & GA House Calls is a network of over 250 medical professionals providing In-home medical house calls and Telehealth visits to Private Residences, Assisted Living Communities, and Skilled Nursing Facilities. SC House Calls serves all 46 Counties of South Carolina. New patient registration, appointments, and 24-7 access to medical professionals are available through its Center for Telehealth @ 800-491-0909