Summary
Effective postoperative care at home is crucial in preventing complications and ensuring a smooth recovery. Let’s check what to be careful of when thinking about taking care of the patients after discharge.
Things to know when considering postoperative care at home
After discharging from a hospital, there are cases where medication cannot be taken in the prescribed manner, or the understanding of disease management is insufficient, leading to poor management and deterioration of the condition.
Let’s see what to be careful about postoperative care at home.
Things necessary to prevent deterioration of the condition after discharge
After being discharged and returning home, some may think, “I don’t need to take medication anymore,” or “I can eat whatever I want as I’m discharged.”
However, this attitude can lead to a worsening of the illness or disability compared to the time of discharge.
Since the illness is not completely cured even after discharge, ongoing management of the disease is still necessary.
Previously, the hospital staff took care of disease management.
At home, either the patient or their family needs to take on the responsibility of managing the illness.
Let’s check the things that you should be mindful of in managing the illness at home.
Managing medications that were previously handled by the hospital
Upon returning home, if you don’t take medication at the specified times, the illness may worsen quickly.
Medications such as blood thinners prescribed for those who have had a stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, or myocardial infarction, as well as insulin and oral medications used by diabetes patients, can lead to deterioration if skipped even for a day.
In the hospital, nurses distribute medication at fixed times every day, ensuring that doses are not missed.
However, at home, individuals may forget to take their medication, find it cumbersome, or face difficulties in proper adherence.
It requires patience to develop the habit of taking daily medication.
In the hospital, vital signs like temperature and blood pressure are monitored daily, and inquiries about any changes in health or potential side effects of medication are made regularly.
If your doctor has asked you to record your blood pressure, measure it and make a note.
By recording changes in health by yourself or with the help of family members, you can notice daily variations.
Noticing changes and responding early is the key to preventing deterioration in postoperative care at home.
With the support of visiting nurses, tasks like setting up proper medication schedules and calendars, checking medication intake, and monitoring vital signs can be carried out efficiently, leading to early detection of changes.
Bathing in unstable condition
Another aspect often overlooked about postoperative care is bathing at home, which is a common source of accidents.
Bathrooms at home are the most accident-prone places.
Bathing involves undressing, and exposing the body to temperature differences, and blood pressure fluctuations from entering hot water.
Being wet increases the risk of slipping, and not wearing clothes makes injuries more severe in case of accidents.
In the hospital, nurses check the patient’s health status, including blood pressure, before bathing.
During bathing, nursing staff observe the health condition to ensure safe assistance and supervision.
At home, it is essential to create a safe bathing environment.
However, individuals with conditions like hypertension or respiratory diseases may feel dizzy or have difficulty breathing during bathing. In such cases, they might hesitate to take a bath.
Avoiding baths altogether can lead to skin diseases, especially if the health condition is not yet stable after discharge.
By using home care services, decisions regarding bathing and observation of health during bathing can be made, and proper instructions can be given if there are wounds.
Who can assess early prevention of deterioration?
When the condition is unstable, both patients and their families may feel anxious.
Even if you feel that something is different than usual, you might not know when, to whom, or how to consult.
By using home care services, advice can be provided to prevent the condition from becoming unstable.
Early detection of abnormalities allows for contacting the doctor and taking prompt action.
Even if family members are not present due to work, communication notes can be used to exchange information about the user’s condition.
Attention to postoperative dietary habits
Hospital meals are controlled for calories, protein, fat, and salt, so they are nutritious for the body.
Intensifying the flavor of regular meals, consuming supermarket deli meals, although delicious, may not be healthy.
Getting used to fried and sauced foods can lead to calorie overload, excessive salt intake, and excessive fat consumption, contributing to lifestyle diseases.
Individuals with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and myocardial infarction may experience a worsening of their health despite taking medication if they continue to prioritize taste over nutrition.
Upon discharge, doctors and nurses guide dietary precautions and adjust medications.
Adhering to these dietary guidelines is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle at home.
With home care services, advice can be given on dietary points to be mindful of, to prevent deterioration of the illness.
It’s not about not being able to eat what you like. Advice can be provided on what to pay attention to when enjoying your favorite foods, ensuring a healthy perspective.
In summary, home care service is recommended for postoperative care such as managing various aspects of health, from medication management to bathing safety, early detection of abnormalities, and dietary habits. Utilizing home care services provides valuable support for individuals transitioning from hospital to home, contributing to their overall well-being.
Why choose Care24?
Postoperative care at home is crucial for a successful recovery. Depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s condition, Care24 services ensure the prevention of complications, promote healing and ensure the patient’s overall well-being. Monitoring for signs of infection, following prescribed medications, and maintaining a proper diet are essential components of postoperative care that contribute to a smoother recovery process. Additionally, the Care24 service provides emotional support, and adherence to activity restrictions plays a significant role in optimizing the outcomes of the surgical procedure.
