Characteristics of Patients Receiving Home Care Services from A Tertiary Care Facility and Examination of Provided Medical Services

Abstract

Aim: It is important to know patient characteristics and medical needs in the planning and operation of home care services (HCS). In this study, the descriptive characteristics of patients who received HCS and the medical services provided were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Patients receiving HCS for at least one-year were included this cross-sectional study. Patient records were examined and in addition to descriptive features, the number of visits made by the HCS unit in the last year for each patient, the reasons for these visits and the procedures performed was recorded. Results: While 60.4% of the patients were female, 83.6% were ≥65 years. It was determined that 72.6% of the patients were bedridden, 30.5% used a urinary catheter and 32.9% had pressure ulcer. A total of 2774 (median=16) home visits were made, and the most common medical procedures were blood test and wound dressing. Functional bed use and pressure ulcer for wound dressing, rural location and diabetes for blood test and rural location, urinary catheter use and history of pulmonary embolism for urinalysis were determined as risk factors. Conclusion: The characteristics of the patients receiving HCS, and the services provided were determined and it was seen that they were related to each other.