Patient Improvement in Taking Medications

Why is this important?

Most home care patients are prescribed more than one medication by their physician.  Taking the right medication at the right time is critical to helping the patient recover quickly.  Taking medications incorrectly can lead to hospitalization.

How WellSpan Compares

Last year, WellSpan’s VNA Home Health treated 5,235 patients.  The following shows the percentage of these patients who improved their ability to take their medications (by mouth) correctly during their treatment period.

Unit of Measurement: Percentage

A higher score is better than a lower score.

What we are doing to improve our performance.

Accurate medication administration is recognized as one means of preventing re-hospitalizations as well as improving stability of chronic medical conditions.  WellSpan’s VNA Home Health, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Quality Improvement Organization, continues to focus on this national indicator.

 

VNA Home Health is studying how well all of their patients take their medications—correctly and on time—and is determining the most effective ways to teach patients to improve.

 

Staff members have learned how to track and document medication education for patients.

 

An Outcomes Based Quality Improvement workgroup on improving patients’ independence with oral medication will be initiated during 2007.