What You Should Know about the 4 Biggest Advancements in Home Health Care

Health care has always been an in-demand field, with home health care advancing as people are living longer and wishing to remain in their primary residence as long as possible. Advances in the medical field are occurring at a fast pace, and there's no exception for the home sector of the industry. More and more procedures that were once only possible in hospital settings can now be done at home, and mobile technology is increasing the capabilities of practitioners to reach their patients remotely. Let's take a look at four of the biggest advancements in home health care and how they affect the industry and its workers.

1. Remote Patient Monitoring

The concept of remote patient monitoring allows medical professionals to check on the vital signs of patients remotely via a telemonitor. There are a number of implications for this technology. It can allow regular monitoring of patients by home health aides or even enable collaboration between on-site personnel with the patient's primary care physician. Efficient transmission of important patient data can be sent in real time to the necessary facility or practitioner.

2. Bacteria Killing Lightbulbs

Infection is a real concern in hospital settings and in the home. Though caregivers may practice sanitation methods with the utmost care, the risk still exists. New special light bulbs emit a light source that is capable of disinfecting the area it touches and actually rendering bacteria harmless. This is particularly useful in patients who are susceptible to infection or who have compromised immune systems.

3. Health Informatics

Although most hospitals, agencies and clinics have some form of electronic records system, many remain inefficient when it comes to sharing patient data across providers. Enhanced systems that provide information access to medical personnel of various levels who work with a particular patient reduce potential malpractice issues, lower costs, increase collaboration and improve overall patient care.

4. Electronic Underwear for Bed Sore Prevention

Bed-ridden patients such as the elderly or those with spinal cord injury without feeling to certain body parts are at severe risk of developing bed sores. These painful lesions occur due to lack of motion for extended periods of time. They can lead to infection and even death. However, innovative electronic underwear that deliver a miniscule charge every ten minutes can help to prevent bed sores. This muscle activation—which also increases in circulation—is similar to the effect of actual movement.

These four advances in home health care are good examples of the innovations we can expect to improve the work of professionals and the lives of patients. To keep up with these advances, many facilities, like South Coast Home Health Care, have dedicated staff to training current staff in the newest, most beneficial technologies available.