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Local home care agency exceeding expectations

By For The Greene County Messenger 3 min read
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WAYNESBURG – Southwestern Home Care recently learned that it meets or exceeds patient satisfaction results when compared to state and national standards.

The agency, located at 265 Elm Drive in Waynesburg, also exceeded state and national standards in key quality performance areas. These ratings are fully accessible at www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/.

Key highlights include:

n How often the home care team gave care in a professional way – Southwestern Home Care scored a rating of 93, compared to the state average rating of 89 and the national average rating of 88;

n Did the home care team discuss medicines, pain and home safety with patients? – Southwestern Home Care scored a rating of 90, compared to the state and national average rating of 84;

n How often the home health team treated heart failure patients’ symptoms – Southwestern Home Care scored a rating of 100, compared to the state average rating of 99 and the national average rating of 98;

n How often patients’ breathing improved – Southwestern Home Care scored a rating of 80, compared to the state average rating of 68 and the national average rating of 64; and

n How often the home health team included treatments to prevent pressure sores (bed sores) in plan of care – Southwestern Home Care scored a rating of 98, compared to the state average rating of 98 and the national average rating of 97.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 27 million people will need some type of long-term care by 2050. Of those 27 million, the majority will receive their care from either a home health or hospice care agency. Comparatively, about 7.6 million people annually now receive community-based care. The most common reasons individuals need this level of care include after hospital care, chronic disease management, disabilities or terminal illness The reason this number is expected to grow relates to the desire for many to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Southwestern Home Care, a service of Southwest Regional Medical Center, was established in 1979 and provides many services to support this growing need. Their registered nurses, physical and occupational therapists and aids offer a range of medical and therapeutic services including, but not limited to, wound therapy, lab testing, IV therapy, enteral/parenteral feedings, administration of chemotherapy and medical social services. Southwestern Home Care has an established partnership with Advanced Physical Therapy of Waynesburg to provide physical and occupational therapy services.

“Our goal is to provide as much care and treatment as possible to maintain the patient in their home or residential environment,” said Lisa Balint, RN, BSN, MBA and director of Southwestern Home Care. “Each patient is managed according to an individualized plan designed to restore health, maximize independence and minimize the impacts of illness.”

For more information on these ratings, visit www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/ or call Southwestern Home Care at 724-627-1900.

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