PATH ALONG Model and Repetitive ER Loop

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model identifies repetitive emergency department visits as a symptom related to the hospital readmission rate.   When the frequency of emergency room visits is less than 30 days apart, the individual is asking for more help.

Often a family member will identify a scarey change in the elders thinking or physical function and present at the emergency room demanding their loved one be fixed.  The family has not accepted where the elder now resides in the disease process. 

Despite multiple emergency department visits the elder is always sent home with no medication changes or skilled care needs.  Simply, the elder needs more help, the emergency department does not deliver that service. 

The elder has needs that can be best met through a supportive care agency ( www.homecarepath.com) and the family needs therapeutic consultation to help them process the seniors changing capability and how that now fits in to their lives.

The emergency department sends the elder and family home with instructions to consult with social services.  The result has been repetitive returns to the emergency department hoping varied staff can fix this once and for all.   Hospital staff admit frustration, the family is upset, and the primary MD wants some help. 

The PATH ALONG model provides intervention with a consistent message that moves family and the elder to embrace a service that will better meet their needs.  PATH ALONG staff are trained to adapt delivery to the family and patients level of experience to shift focus toward proper care provision.   This improves the emergency departments role in delivering a high quality care assurance.

This is crisis intervention with transitional counseling.  The service formulates with the family and the medical providers an immediate and a long term plan.  This describes how the service adjusts awareness with the individual and family.

PATH ALONG staff participate in processes designed to enhance community awareness and facilitate a paradigm shift toward ways of properly managing the changing health and social needs of an aging population.  Home Care Path and the PATH ALONG model deliver an enhanced supportive care service to assist the community with the changing needs of an aging population.  Improving understanding at the community level can support the medical providers ability to deliver their expert service.

Contact PATH ALONG at 608-432-4286 or email lkutzke@homecarepath.onmcirosoft.com
for more information click on the site below with free access
http://www.homecarepath.com/Pages/PRESSRELEASEOriginalWisconsinModelToReduceHospitalReadmissionRates.aspx

The PATH ALONG app http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s