Upload
ezra-parrish
View
214
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Unit 36
Subacute Care
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Objectives
• Spell and define terms.• Describe the purpose of subacute care.• List the differences between acute care,
subacute care, and long-term care.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Objectives
• Describe the responsibilities of the nursing assistant when caring for patients receiving the special treatments in subacute care.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Description of Subacute Care
• Subacute care – Comprehensive, goal-oriented care for
individuals with acute illnesses, injuries, or exacerbations of chronic medical conditions.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Special Procedures Provided in the Subacute Care Unit
• You will be assigned to care for patients who are receiving special treatments because of their health problems.
• These treatments may require the use of equipment that is unfamiliar to you.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Special Procedures Provided in the Subacute Care Unit
• As a nursing assistant:– You will not be expected to be responsible
for these procedures
• However, you will be expected to provide the same personal care and procedures that you would provide for any other patients.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Pain Management Procedures
• Pain management may be the major reason why some patients are in subacute care units.
• Other patients may be undergoing pain management related to conditions such as recent surgery or cancer.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Pain Management Procedures
• Both drug and nondrug treatments can be successful in helping prevent and control pain.
• Various types of relaxation techniques are also used for pain management.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Caring for Subacute Patients with Respiratory Conditions
• Many patients are admitted to the subacute care unit with problems related to the respiratory system.
• Some conditions are caused by diseases within the lungs.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Caring for Subacute Patients with Respiratory Conditions
• Some patients experience respiratory problems as a result of complications of other conditions.
• Paying attention to each patient’s oxygenation is a very important responsibility.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Caring for the Patient Receiving Dialysis Treatments • Dialysis
– Process by which the blood is artificially cleansed of liquid wastes when the kidneys are unable to remove wastes.
– Procedure is needed when a person has kidney failure.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Caring for the Patient Receiving Dialysis Treatments • Dialysis
– Without dialysis, the person would die as the waste products accumulate in the bloodstream.
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Caring for the Patient Receiving Dialysis Treatments • Dialysis is usually considered a
temporary treatment – Used until a suitable organ is found for
kidney transplant
• Two types of dialysis – Hemodialysis– Peritoneal dialysis
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Oncology Treatments
• Oncology – Care and treatment of persons with cancer– Cancer may be treated with surgery,
radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of any of these
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Wound Management
• Some patients require wound management– For severe pressure sores, burns, or
surgical wounds
• Nurse or physical therapist– Will perform frequent dressing changes on
these areas using sterile technique
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Wound Management
• You may be required to assist with dressing changes– Basic knowledge of sterile technique is
necessary
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Documentation of Care in the Subacute Unit
• Reimbursement for care in subacute units– Often provided by insurance companies
and managed care organizations
Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Documentation of Care in the Subacute Unit
• In some situations or facilities:– Reimbursement is based on
documentation– Main purpose of documentation is to
provide a record of patient care