Leaving the hospital doesn’t mean that you’re perfectly healthy now. You’re most vulnerable during the day’s im0mediately after discharge as you’re still recovering. You no longer have a crew of people overseeing your treatment daily, and follow-ups are days to weeks away.
Hospital readmissions are very common after discharge because recovery at home is more complicated than most people think. One skipped dose could give you a major setback in recovery. Symptoms may worsen quietly without you realizing, and there’s a risk of infections becoming chronic. In cases where IV antibiotics are available at home, hospital readmissions after discharge are way less frequent. Studies indicate that the risk of readmissions is lowered by 26% for patients who receive hospital-at-home care compared to in-hospital patients. In this article, let’s explore how IV antibiotics at home help in reducing hospital readmissions, and why you should opt for agencies that specialize in skilled and non-skilled in home senior care services in Northern Virginia.
When Do You Need IV Antibiotics at Home?
These antibiotics are typically prescribed when an infection is too severe for oral medication. For example, cellulitis or osteomyelitis, where you need much higher efficacy, and oral antibiotics are not effective. In these serious and complicated infections, doctors don’t rely on absorption through the digestive system because that varies from person to person, and the concerned patient’s condition might affect it negatively, too. There are serious skin infections, bone infections, bloodstream infections, and complications following surgery that make IV antibiotics a lifesaving treatment.
Why Do Seniors Often Need IV Antibiotics at Home Instead of Oral Antibiotics?
As people age, the body responds differently to medication. Oral medications lose efficacy when your stomach or your entire gut isn’t working as well as it did when you were young. Digestive absorption becomes very slow.
Appetites also decrease with age, and when you’re sick, nausea can also prevent you from eating enough. Some infections also warrant stronger antibiotics that work best when delivered directly into the bloodstream. IV antibiotics at home provide consistent dosing, and they have much higher bioavailability (the ratio of the drug that is actually delivered to the site of infection). Doctors can’t take any risks with seniors. Their condition can deteriorate much faster. Infections can’t be allowed to drag on and on in older patients, so IV antibiotics are the go-to solution for infections of a certain severity level.
Why IV Line Care Matters During In-Home IV Antibiotics
An IV line is the lifeline for antibiotic treatment. It needs to be placed and secured by an expert. Proper cannula/IV line care is a must to keep you safe from infection, irritation, and mechanical issues. The insertion site must remain clean and dry.
Tubing has to be handled carefully, too. You need to keep dressings dry and change them as often as you’re advised to. That part becomes easier if you are receiving skilled senior care services at home and have a trained RN doing it for you.
Moisture at the site or accidental pulling? It’ll either cause infection or render the IV line useless. Your caregiver will have to remove and replace the IV cannula.
How RNs Help Prevent Complications at Home
Home visits from skilled Registered Nurses (RNs) for IV infusions include placing IV lines, monitoring response to antibiotics, following the doctor’s orders, and responding to any allergic reactions. IV line care is one of the most important nursing skills. Registered Nurses know their way around IV lines, and they can protect them against infection.
Signs of Complications That Should Be Reported Immediately
Families should never hesitate to speak up if something feels off. There are so many things to look out for: fever, chills, increased pain, redness or swelling at the IV site, drainage, shortness of breath, confusion, or sudden weakness. Also, take note if the patient is going to the bathroom less often. Low urine output can be the first sign of kidney compromise from a developing complication. Issues related to IV line care can be handled very easily when you have a Registered Nurse available.
How Nurse Next Door McLean Helps With IV Antibiotics at Home
Nurse Next Door McLean provides reliable and trained Registered Nurses (RNs) for in-home IV antibiotic treatment in Northern Virginia. Our comprehensive, skilled and non-skilled seniors care services include professional nursing oversight. Our trained and experienced RNs administer the antibiotics as per the doctor’s orders. While administering IV antibiotics, our RNs monitor the vein, watch for signs of allergic reactions, and remove air from the IV line. Besides this, Nurse Next Door McLean’s RNs ensure adherence to the state safety regulations, including maintaining hand hygiene, using antiseptic techniques and sterile supplies, and disposing of the waste properly. With this approach, we minimize the risk of hospital readmissions.
Call Nurse Next Door McLean now at (703) 774-9421 to book a free Caring Consult.
Address: 1775 Tysons Blvd Suite #4202, McLean, VA, United States
FAQs
What are in-home IV antibiotics used for?
They’re used to treat serious infections when oral antibiotics are not strong enough or effective.
How do IV antibiotics help prevent hospital readmissions?
With professional caregivers overseeing treatment, patients don’t develop complications like they do when unsupervised on oral pills, and any complications that do occur are flagged and taken care of early.
Is it safe for seniors to receive IV antibiotics at home?
Yes, when supervised by licensed healthcare professionals like Registered Nurses (RNs).
Why is IV line care important during IV antibiotic treatment?
Proper IV line care saves patients from all kinds of infections, blockages, and complications at the IV site.
