Healthcare practitioners serve patients from different age groups. The elderly patients, just like other patients, manifest different levels of feelings and suffering. Frequently, patients that are either too young or too old face challenges that without proper guidance may worsen the general health of their body. In a bid to ensure that patients are given the best healthcare services, healthcare practitioners in the United States (U.S) are governed by the Case Management Society of America (CMSA). All healthcare services rendered to patients are focused on the holistic improvement of the patients’ health status. In this paper, the role of healthcare practitioners in patient advocacy is explored using Paulette’s case. In particular, the paper seeks to develop the best-case-scenario solution for the patient based on the information provided.
Patients often get worried when visiting the hospital for conditions that warrant an extended stay. Their main concern is the increased probability of acquiring nosocomial infections and the prolonged stay away from their loved ones. Paulette is a seventy-nine-year-old woman who had been admitted to the hospital for the past twelve days following single colitis surgery. It is evident that any further stay at the same hospital would exacerbate her boredom. Additionally, the accusation of a debilitating upper respiratory infection depicts an unclean environment or highly infectious hospital surroundings. Since the day of admission, Paulette has never been visited by any family or community member. Given her cascade of issues that range from poor eyesight, deteriorating hearing ability, instability, and post-surgical dehydration that emanates as confusion, discharging her to go to her lonely home will do more harm than good to her health. Thus, the best-case-scenario solution for Paulette is her transfer to a more skilled nursing facility, preferably near her home so that her condition is closely monitored. Besides benefitting from other actions centered on her recovery, her drug consumption and eating habits will also be closely monitored.
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Given the nature of the surgery, age, and current health condition, Paulette may experience hardship while accessing crucial daily activities like visiting the washroom, standing, sitting, and even cooking. Considering these factors, discharging her to her lonely home will not help her recover but may worsen the situation. For instance, after undergoing a surgical procedure, patients often experience drowsiness, dehydration, and confusion. Paulette’s age worsens this situation. Her age also significantly lowers her rate of recovery. Also, even if her prescription were written in large font, she would still need a caregiver to remind her, help her take the medication and ensure that her dietary needs are met. In light of these factors, transferring the patient to a more skilled nursing facility is the best option.
Paulette’s reduced immunity due to old age, coupled with surgery, and the hospital environment may be reasons behind the nosocomial infection. This justifies her transfer and need for more specialized care. Moreover, the consumption of antibiotics requires a strict schedule that is impossible to attain with Paulette's current state of mind. Closer monitoring in a skilled facility is essential in this case. Paulette’s foul mood and tendency to seat on the edge of the bed depict her attitude towards the current hospital. This behavior could be reflective of her conviction that the hospital is not doing its best to promote her recovery. Paulette’s negative perception and love for her dog should be put into consideration. For example, taking her to a facility that is dog-friendly would significantly enhance her recovery. Considering all the factors presented and Paulette’s current health condition, discharging and subsequently transferring her to a more skilled nursing and care facility near her home is undoubtedly the best-case-scenario solution . It is also vital that the nursing facility offers a homely feeling and allow Paulette to take her pet with her.
Provision of quality health care should be every responsible nation’s top priority. Bodies such as CMSA are formed to facilitate the delivery of quality healthcare through the advocacy of patients' needs. Healthcare practitioners should emphasize the prevention and management of suffering. This can be achieved through physical, emotional, or psychological interventions. Further, healthcare practitioners should help patients, especially the elderly, to make informed decisions. Healthcare practitioners should always prioritize their patients' needs. All decisions made by the practitioners should be geared towards facilitating their patients' quick recovery. For Paulette, the best-case-scenario solution is her transfer to a more skilled nursing facility, preferably near her home. This decision is informed by her medical history, current condition, and the additional information provided.
