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