PATH ALONG is an original Wisconsin model for care transitions

PATH ALONG is an original Wisconsin model (service set) that connects inpatient providers to community staff who support the patient during health system transitions.  PATH ALONG is a trademarked model owned by Home Care Path LLC.  Researchers utilized data from January 2010 to now to formulate a three service focus on reducing hospital readmission rates. 

One aspect of extensive research focused solely on needs with scheduled day surgery.  Researchers discovered a consistent verbalized need for additional help secondary to changes in physical function.   These fairly frequent acute (temporary) changes requiring extra help are not efficiently addressed through chronic (long term) care management strategies.  It is not pragmatic to coordinate adaptive equipment for short spurts of intense need.

Research revealed the need for additional help is not in a skilled care category.  Tasks such as meal preperation, errands, transfers, bathing, dressing, medication reminders, scheduled toileting, organizing daily list, are categorized as non- medical unskilled care.  This speaks to pay source.  Community health planners can experience a difficult time with an identified need that does not interface with a ready source to pay for the delivery of service.

PATH ALONG confirmed the need for additional help with scheduled surgery through a comprehensive data review.  PATH ALONG determined the help was catagorized as a non medical in home supportive service.  Cost containment strategies involved training supportive staff for anticipatory response to short spurts of intense need. 

The patients surgery is scheduled allowing for referral and PATH ALONG staff time to plan with family to meet the acute needs with an organized (individualized) approach.  Safety and comfort  intertwine with interventions designed to bring a healing stability to post surgical recovery.  Communication is an important aspect of this supportive service .

The PATH ALONG model facilitates an easy referral processs for Medicare (CMS) and Medicaid certified providers.  PATH ALONG delivers a research based standard of service that translates to a comfortable collaborative presence during transitions of care.  Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an interview.  Look us up on http://www.homecarepath.com/Pages/WisconsinPATHALONGModelandScheduledSurgery.aspx

for additional information.  Staff can be there when you are working.