Healthcare Skilled Care and Patient Assessment

Skilled Care

• Skilled care is a type of healthcare provided by trained professionals to patients who require ongoing medical attention beyond basic personal care.
• It typically involves skilled nursing services and therapies, like physical therapy or occupational therapy.
• Skilled care services are often delivered in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and patients' homes.
• The focus is on restoring or maintaining function, managing symptoms, preventing further complications, and promoting independence.
• Medicare and Medicaid often cover skilled care services, but eligibility criteria and specific services vary.

Patient Assessment

• Patient assessment is a crucial process in healthcare that involves evaluating a patient's physical, psychological, social, and functional status.
• It is performed to understand the patient's current condition, identify needs, develop a care plan, and monitor progress.
• Assessments typically include collecting patient history, physical examination, vital signs, and lab results.
• Different methods are employed for different needs and conditions, including standardized assessment tools.
• The assessment process considers factors like the patient's medical history, medications, lifestyle, and support system.
• The ongoing monitoring and re-assessment are crucial for adapting care as needed, reflecting the dynamic nature of a patient's health.

Rehabilitation Techniques

• Rehabilitation techniques are designed to restore or improve a person's physical, cognitive, or psychological function after an illness, injury, or disability.
• Techniques vary widely and are tailored to the individual's specific needs and condition.
• Examples include physical therapy exercises, occupational therapy activities, speech therapy interventions, and psychological counseling.
• Rehabilitation often involves a multidisciplinary team approach, with various specialists working collaboratively.
• Key concepts of rehabilitation include promoting independence, preventing further decline, and optimizing quality of life.
• Progress is usually measured through standardized tests and goal-setting, adapting to individual progress.

Nursing Practices

• Nursing practices are the procedures, methods, and actions nurses perform to deliver patient care.
• These include wound care, medication administration, patient education, and monitoring vital signs.
• Evidence-based practice is crucial, involving the integration of current research findings into patient care.
• Nurses play a key role in assessing patients' needs, formulating care plans, and monitoring response to treatment.
• Nursing practice encompasses a broad scope, from basic care to highly specialized interventions, including advanced practice nursing roles.
• Ethical considerations and legal guidelines are paramount in all nursing interventions.

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy (PT) is a healthcare profession focused on restoring function and improving mobility for individuals with physical impairments or limitations.
• PTs use a variety of methods, like exercise programs, manual therapy, and assistive devices to achieve these goals.
• PTs work with patients of all ages and diverse health conditions, tailoring treatments to meet their specific needs.
• Assessments inform treatment plans, which are continually adapted based on progress.
• Interventions could involve improving strength, flexibility, balance, or endurance; managing pain; and preventing further injury.
• Physical therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.