Interim HealthCare Launches New Interim Transitions Services Chronic Care Support Program

SUNRISE, Fla., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Interim HealthCare, the nation's leading home healthcare franchise, announced today the launch of its new Interim Transitions Services Chronic Care Support Program, to effectively transition patients suffering from chronic diseases from an inpatient health care facility back to their homes. As the population ages, more and more people are living each day with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and COPD. According to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, four million hospital admissions could have been avoided if acute exacerbations of chronic diseases that provoked hospitalization were prevented or better managed in the outpatient setting.

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"We know that many chronically ill patients are discharged amidst doubts about whether or not they will be able to manage at home without some follow-up," said Kathleen Gilmartin, CEO of Interim HealthCare Inc. "That is why we strategically expanded the Interim HealthCare Transitions Services Chronic Care Support Program. It is our goal to provide these patients with the tools and support needed to remain at home and avoid hospital readmission."

The Interim Transitions Services Chronic Care Support Program expands the chronic disease services provided under skilled home healthcare to those patients who are not eligible for these benefits or who are discharged home without follow-up. "Every day people with multiple chronic diseases are discharged from hospitals and nursing homes often confused about what to do next," commented Barbara McCann, Chief Industry Officer for Interim HealthCare Inc.  "The Interim Transitions Chronic Care program offers peace of mind to both patients and their families that they can stay home longer which is what they want to do."  

Chronic Care Support offers a variety of services to fit the specific needs of clients primarily in the areas of medication reminders or management, recognizing signs and symptoms of diseases and transportation to and from doctor appointments within 14 days after discharge.  The services are provided by Personal Care Aides who remind individuals to take medications and monitor important symptoms such as unexpected weight gain overnight, increased shortness of breath or pain.  Registered Nurses can also play a key role in supporting a better transition home by meeting with the patient and family in the home within 24 hrs of facility discharge to clarify which medications to take and which to stop, working with each patient's doctor to ensure they are taking the right medicines, at the right time and in the right amount.  In all of these instances the goal is to take action sooner and get the individual to his or her doctor instead of the emergency room of a hospital.

Both Personal Care Aides and Registered Nurses receive additional training to best support the needs of their patients with chronic diseases.  

The Interim Transitions Chronic Care Support Program brings best practices derived from several of their chronic diseases programs that were previously developed including "Living with Heart Failure" and "Living with COPD."  These programs have been initiated by Interim HealthCare franchisees who serve large populations of Medicare patients.  

With a network of more than 300 independently owned franchises across the country, Interim HealthCare senior care franchises include non-medical and medical personal care, nursing and healthcare staffing services. The system has a 45-year history within the healthcare industry and many of their franchisees have an average tenure of 24 years.

About Interim HealthCare:

Founded in 1966, Interim HealthCare® Inc. is the nation's first and finest senior care franchise organization. Through a comprehensive network of more than 300 independently owned franchise offices, Interim HealthCare franchisees are the largest combined provider of community-based home care and health care staffing services. Interim HealthCare is unique in combining the commitment of local ownership with the support of a national organization that develops innovative programs and quality standards that improve the delivery of service through franchisees that employ more than 75,000 health care workers who serve 50,000 people each day. For more information or to locate an Interim HealthCare office, visit www.interimhealthcare.com.

Media Contact:
Carmen Ordonez
[email protected]
954-893-9150

SOURCE Interim HealthCare