If you’ve ever had a major surgical procedure, you know an essential part of the recovery process is to get a lot of rest and relaxation. For extensive surgical procedures, patients can often expect a long hospital stay followed by a recovery time of weeks or months before they’re able to fully function without any assistance.
Now for the good news—you don’t always have to stay in the hospital the entire time you are recovering from surgery. Interim HealthCare of Port St. Lucie, FL, provides in-home healthcare options that allow patients to return home and still receive the care they need from a team of licensed medical professionals.
An Easy Transition From Hospital to Home
When you’ve recovered enough from surgery that you no longer need to stay overnight in the hospital, your inpatient care team will begin the process of transitioning you to return home.
If you’re recovering from an extensive surgical procedure like orthopedic surgery, your doctor will likely recommend additional post-op care and rehabilitation services, many of which can be provided in your home. Your doctor or a hospital caseworker may recommend a home health agency if you don’t have a particular one you’d like to use. However, you can always choose your own home health provider if you have a preference. If home health isn’t automatically recommended for you, you can always ask your provider to write an order for the services, especially if you feel extra care and medical oversight could be beneficial when you return home.
Your Interim HealthCare of Port St. Lucie, FL, home healthcare team may be comprised of a mix of specially trained and licensed professionals including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. Depending on your situation, a care plan could include one or more of the following healthcare, personal care and support services that are performed in your home:
- Skilled nursing services
- Wound care management
- Post-operative physical therapy
- Post-operative occupational therapy
- Post-operative speech therapy
- Management of drains or IVs left in place after surgery
- Assistance with bathing, using the restroom and getting dressed
- Medication management
- Meal preparation and planning
- Companionship
- Light housekeeping and assistance with laundry
- Assistance with grooming
What to Expect with Post-Surgical Care at Home
You will likely speak with a member of your home healthcare team before you leave the hospital or shortly after you return home. Your home healthcare team will work with you to schedule your first home visit for a time that works best for you and your family.
Your First Post-Op Home Health Visit
A licensed nurse, therapist, or certified nursing assistant will meet with you at your home for an initial in-home assessment. During your first visit, the member of your Interim HealthCare of Port St. Lucie, FL, care team will do a complete physical. They’ll ask you questions about your current pain level, talk to you about the medications you’re taking, and they’ll assess any personal care needs and take note of safety concerns. You’ll have a chance to discuss your goals for recovery and they will review the treatment plan that your physician has prescribed. Due to the comprehensive nature of your first in-home visit, you can expect it to last about an hour or more, which is likely longer than any other typical visit by your home healthcare team.
Scheduled Visits
Depending on your treatment plan, you may have one or more Interim HealthCare of Port St. Lucie, FL, care team members that visit your home on a scheduled basis for treatment. All your visits will be scheduled in advance and your designated home care team members will contact you if for some reason they aren’t able to arrive at the scheduled time each day or week. If something comes up and you are unable to keep your appointment, you can always reschedule with your team based on what works best for your schedule.
Communication With Your Physician and Ensuring Your Safety
While we are treating you in your home, your care team will communicate with your physician regularly regarding updates on your progress and care. We will also pass along any issues of concern to your physician immediately should they arise.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Following extensive surgery, some patients can benefit from the assistance of medical equipment to help perform daily activities. Your home healthcare team can assist you with obtaining durable medical equipment (DME) and we will teach you how to properly use equipment like walking aids, walkers, canes, and wheelchairs, or bathroom aids like potty chairs, shower chairs, benches and seats.
The Difference is Home
Interim HealthCare of Port St. Lucie, FL, offers patients access to the same high-quality healthcare services they receive inside a medical facility. Our home health providers offer a seamless continuum of high-quality care for patients as they transition from a hospital stay to their home. Our team of highly skilled providers will work closely with you during your recovery, so you may regain full function and can safely return to the activities and life you enjoy.
For more information on post-surgical home health services available through Interim HealthCare of Port St. Lucie, FL, call (772) 410-5624.
