Chronic conditions make it impossible for patients to lead healthy lives. Those who have these illnesses should be supported by skilled practitioners and dedicated family members. This discussion examines the issues surrounding the delivery of care to my loved one who has a terminal condition. The major challenges and concerns that might arise are also described.
Levels of Care and Natural Continuum of Care
My spouse by the name SK has severe chronic depression. The first level of care that can be available to SK is that of hospitals. This refers to institutions that provide short-term medical support (inpatient or outpatient) depending on the exhibited depression or stress (Garcia, de Freitas, Lamas, & Toledo, 2017). There are also long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) that offer adequate medical care.
The second level to consider is that of acute rehabilitation centers. Since SK has a chronic condition, these institutions can ensure that quality care is available. Therapies and medications can be obtained from these health facilities. The third level is that of assisted living or nursing homes. These institutions are managed by licensed nurse practitioners who provide special care. Certified home health agencies (CHHAs) form the next level of the healthcare system (Chapman, Chung, & Pincus, 2017). These facilities are capable of providing physical and medical support. The final level that can be available to SK is comprised of senior communities. As the individual ages, these facilities will offer evidence-based support throughout the lifespan.
A patient with a chronic mental condition such as depression should have access to the natural continuum of care (Garcia et al., 2017). The first service is offered in outpatient clinics where drugs are administered. I will ensure that my beloved spouse visits such offices once a month. Intensive care is the second service. Trained practitioners coordinate to offer a continuum of care services. Home-based treatment will also be required to support my spouse and my family members.
Day treatment programs or services are usually available in different societies. These aspects will ensure that the targeted patient receives adequate psychiatric support. Emergency services will be delivered when crises occur. Respite care will be provided whereby skilled individuals will offer support to this patient. Therapeutic groups or community residences offer direct care and support to individuals with mental conditions (Chapman et al., 2017). Hospital treatment is also relevant since it is designed to meet the needs of every patient. I will, therefore, consider these facilities and levels to ensure that quality care is available to my beloved spouse.
Potential Challenges
Although the above discussion has described the potential services available to SK, chances are high that positive results might not be realized. The first potential challenge might arise from the nature of existing support. Hassmiller and Reinhard (2015) indicate that many psychologists and providers of mental services usually deliver poor results. The healthcare system also fails to offer adequate measures to ensure that every health system level meets the needs of individuals with behavioral problems (Ulloa & Hammett, 2014). The second challenge might arise from my spouse’s inability to cooperate with different caregivers. This is a possible problem because SK is depressed.
In the United States, funding is a major predicament that makes it impossible for individuals with mental conditions to access high-quality services. Rural regions are not served by experienced practitioners and physiatrists. The current situation reveals that most of the existing healthcare levels do not support the needs of patients with chronic conditions such as depression. Many home nursing units in the community lack adequate resources to meet the needs of my spouse. With the decreasing number of human services professionals and social workers in the country, it might be hard for SK to get timely support (Garcia et al., 2017). The nursing shortage is a predicament that continues to disorient the nature of healthcare delivery. Such challenges should be analyzed carefully to ensure that the health needs of SK are met.
Discharge Planning and Procedures
For patients with mental conditions, discharge planning is something that should not be hurried. Practitioners should ensure that the objectives of the practice are achieved. These include delivering positive health results, improving the patient’s wellbeing, and modifying treatment regions throughout the continuum of care. The involvement of family members should also be taken into consideration. This means that several stages or procedures should be put into consideration to discharge by the patient. The first one is the initial treatment plan. During this phase, physicians and psychologists will focus on the patient’s long-term health goals and needs. Family members will also be informed about the process (Mackey & Bassendowski, 2017). A discharge plan will be formulated during this phase. The second stage is comprehensive planning whereby the treatment method is expanded. The needs assessment will be completed to monitor my spouse’s responsiveness. Training of different family members will be considered to support SK.
The third stage is called discharge planning. The case manager will prepare for the release process. Services will be initiated depending on SK’s health needs. A proper communication model is initiated during this phase. Post-discharge planning is done whereby follow-up services are taken into consideration (Mackey & Bassendowski, 2017). Continuous monitoring will be needed to ensure that my spouse moves into the targeted community or home-based treatment program.
Needs Assessment
A powerful approach will be considered to assess the needs of SK. Different psychotherapists will analyze my spouse’s current health status. They will go further to examine the exhibited symptoms and signs. This approach will make it easier for them to identify various needs that must be met (Hassmiller & Reinhard, 2015). The professionals will go further to form a multidisciplinary team to examine the critical areas that should be taken into consideration. This means that every unmet health demand or need will be examined. The next stage is to come up with appropriate objectives and models to deliver desirable medical support.
The needs assessment plan will describe how available resources and health system levels can be used to improve SK’s health outcomes (Sobekwa & Arunachallam, 2015). Priority areas will be identified to provide evidence-based medical support to SK. Once these health demands are identified, it will be easier for different health workers and community social workers to provide high-quality patient support.
JCI International Standards
The Joint Commission International (JIC) offers powerful standards that dictate the quality of services available to different patients. Institutions that want to be accredited must focus on these principles to achieve their goals. Such aspects also resonate with the care demands of patients with mental illnesses. The first section focuses on patient-centered support (Ulloa & Hammett, 2014). Such principles indicate that caregivers and physicians must be ready to deliver personalized medical support depending on the unique needs of the targeted patient.
Psychotherapists must, therefore, implement powerful models that bring on board different experts and practitioners to meet the demands of depressed patients. The standards go further to dictate the initiatives associated with healthcare management (Ulloa & Hammett, 2014). Organizations and hospitals providing mental health services should have adequate resources and competent practitioners whose competencies can result in improved health results.
Safety Issues
The concept of patient safety has been featured in literature since it dictates the quality of services available to different populations. Within the mental healthcare sector, the safety of patients must be taken seriously (Sobekwa & Arunachallam, 2015). The first issue is that of physical protection. I will ensure that my spouse lives in a safe environment to prevent injuries. Proper support and empowerment will be needed to deal with this challenge. Family members and practitioners should also be informed about the potential safety concerns that might arise whenever treating mental illness patients.
Care delivery models must also be designed in such a way that medical errors are minimized. Nursing homes and facilities must also meet the needs of these individuals. I will ensure that tools and dangerous equipment are stored properly (Sobekwa & Arunachallam, 2015). Continuous medical care is also required whenever providing holistic support.
Conclusion
Mental health problems explain why proper medical support is needed to empower every patient. Multidisciplinary teams should be formed to ensure that positive results are realized. Institutions that embrace every JCI international standard will deliver superior care to more patients with mental illnesses. Safety issues should also be taken seriously by relatives and healthcare providers.
References
Chapman, E., Chung, H., & Pincus, H. A. (2017). Using a continuum-based framework for behavioral health integration into primary care in New York State. Psychiatric Services, 68(8), 756-758. Web.
Garcia, A. P., de Freitas, M. I., Lamas, J. L., & Toledo, V. P. (2017). Nursing process in mental health: An integrative literature review. Rev Bras Enferm, 70(1), 209-218. Web.
Hassmiller, S. B., & Reinhard, S. C. (2015). A bold new vision for America’s health care system. Nursing Outlook, 63(1), 41-47. Web.
Mackey, A., & Bassendowski, S. (2017). The history and evidence-based practice in nursing education and practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 33(1), 51-55. Web.
Sobekwa, Z. C., & Arunachallam, S. (2015). Experiences of nurses caring for mental health care users in an acute admission unit at a psychiatric hospital in the Western Cape Province. Curationis, 38(2), 1-9. Web.
Ulloa, E. C., & Hammett, J. F. (2014). The effect of gender and perpetrator–victim role on mental health outcomes and risk behaviors associated with intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 31(7), 1184-1207. Web.