The 12th of May – the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth – is International Nurses Day, commemorating nurses’ contributions to society. Since nursing became a formal profession in the 19th century in the wake of the Crimean War, their role has continued to evolve. In today’s world of modern medicine, we typically think of nurses within a hospital or clinic setting, but today, this also includes nurses providing their services in at-home environments. There are many reasons why nurses work in home environments, too. There are many reasons why at-home nursing care – where patients receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes – is beneficial, especially when it comes to elderly patients. Here are five benefits that at-home nursing care offers.
- Faster healing
Recovering at home after a significant operation or medical procedure can do wonders in reducing stress and speeding up the healing process.Research shows that patients who are able to recover in their own familiar surroundings have lower levels of depression and anxiety than those who remain in hospital. This makes sense given the at-home environment is more peaceful and less disruptive than a hospital setting, and loved ones aren’t limited from seeing the patient within visiting hours.
The one downside of recovering at home is not having constant medical support on hand, and this is where the at-home nurse can bridge the gap: nurses can provide the same level of treatment and care that the patient would receive in a hospital—whether it’s specialised medical attention, administering medication or monitoring the patient as they recover. Overall, it’s a win-win: the patient gets structured and high-quality medical support while also benefitting from the emotional and psychological support of having loved ones nearby.
- Less risk of infections
One of the most significant risks with a hospital stay is a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). In South Africa, these typically include hospital-acquired pneumonia, bloodstream infections or urinary tract infections. Particularly in elderly patients, these can lead to prolonged illnesses or complications. On the other hand, recovering at home significantly reduces these risks, as the patient isn’t exposed to the range of bacteria and viruses that can circulate in hospitals. Apart from creating a safer environment, at-home nurses can help prevent infection through their expertise in hygiene protocols and creating a secure recovery environment.
- More personalised care
Having a nurse at home means that treatment can be more tailored to a patient’s individual needs. Compared to a hospital setting, where nurses need to split their time among multiple patients, home-based care means nurses can provide more dedicated and focused medical attention. This, in turn, improves patient outcomes and communication with families and caregivers.
If patients belong to a medical aid, at-home personalised care can also be included as part of their medical aid plan’s benefits. For example, Fedhealth’s Hospital At Home benefit brings all the essential elements of in-patient care to a patient’s home, including hospital-grade monitoring, intravenous therapy, access to laboratory services and skilled nursing services. With this at-home care, patients can get continuous and high-quality medical attention without needing to be hospitalised. Also, having a skilled nurse available to monitor progress, adjust treatments and address any concerns can give extra peace of mind to patients and their families.
- More cost-effective
Even in private hospitals, which make up around one third of total hospital beds in South Africa, peak illness seasons require these to be managed as efficiently as possible. By increasing at-home care for suitable patients, hospitals are better able to allocate resources to those needing more intense medical help.
On the patient side, at-home nursing care is generally more affordable than a lengthy hospital stay, especially for those needing chronic care. By choosing home nursing care, families who aren’t covered by medical aid can avoid extra hospital costs such as room charges and additional tests.
- More autonomy
Being confined to a hospital bed can feel restrictive to many patients: they can’t move around freely, they don’t have access to their home comforts, and they can’t see family or loved ones whenever they want. With this in mind, at-home nursing care allows patients to have a sense of independence and maintain their daily routines as much as possible while still receiving the same level of medical care as if they were in a hospital ward. This increased autonomy can further help the healing process and give the patient a more positive outlook on their recovery.
This International Nurses Day is a good time to reflect and acknowledge the value nurses add to our lives, whether we’re the patient or it’s a loved one needing care. The many benefits nurses offer at-home assistance— more comfort and family support, reduced infection risks and personalised support—prove why at-home nursing is growing in popularity and becoming an essential part of modern healthcare.
