Returning Home
Your recovery continues the moment you get home.
Recover safely at home with mobility, medication, nutrition, and follow-up guidance.
Guides & articles
Preoperative patient teaching practices and associated factors among nurses working at hospitals in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, 2022: a cross-sectional study - PMC
This study looked at how often nurses in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, taught patients before surgery and what factors influenced this teaching. They found that only about 40% of nurses provided good preoperative teaching. Many things made it hard for nurses to teach patients well, such as not having enough teaching materials, too much work, not enough time, not enough staff, language differences, and how sick or worried the patients and their families were. The study suggests that hospitals need to find ways to improve how nurses teach patients before surgery.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Bridging the gap: evaluation of preoperative patients’ education by comparing expectations and real-perioperative surgical experiences: a mixed-methods descriptive cross-sectional study - PMC
This study looked at how well patients were prepared for surgery by comparing what they expected to what actually happened. Researchers taught 65 patients about their upcoming ear, nose, or throat surgery and then asked them afterward about their experience. They found that good education before surgery helped reduce fear and anxiety, especially for women. The study showed that patients were most unhappy about things like the surgery schedule and instructions for exercises, suggesting that clearer, more hands-on teaching could make a big difference in how satisfied patients are with their care.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Patients' expectations and experiences of provided surgery‐related patient education: A descriptive longitudinal study - PMC
Patients undergoing surgery often feel that the information they receive before and after their procedure is helpful and makes them feel better about their care. However, many patients wished they had more information about what to expect after surgery, such as how to manage pain, deal with tiredness, and how long it would take to fully recover. Most people got their information by talking to healthcare staff and through written materials. This study suggests that giving patients more detailed information about recovery could help them feel even more satisfied and prepared for life after surgery.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Improving the Discharge Experience of Hospital Patients Through Standard Tools and Methods of Education - PubMed
This study looked at how to make patients happier with the information they get when leaving the hospital. They trained nurses and care teams on better ways to teach patients, like using the "teach-back" method where patients explain what they learned in their own words. They also created new tools, like a discharge folder, and improved the discharge paperwork to make sure patients got the right information. These changes led to patients feeling more prepared for recovery at home.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Patient Safety During Hospital Discharge | PSNet
Leaving the hospital can be a risky time for patients, with many experiencing problems like new illnesses or medication issues. This is often due to poor communication between hospital staff, the patient's regular doctors, and the patient themselves. To make discharges safer, hospitals need to improve how they share information, educate patients and their families, and coordinate care with other healthcare providers. Using checklists, involving case managers, and making sure patients understand their instructions can help reduce these risks and prevent readmissions.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
Nursing Recommendations to Improve Discharge and Care Transitions From the Bedside - PMC
Nurses play a key role in helping patients leave the hospital safely and smoothly. However, they often face challenges like poor communication among healthcare teams, issues with medication lists, and patients not being fully ready to go home. To fix this, nurses suggest better ways for healthcare workers to talk to each other, clearer teaching for patients about their care, and improved methods for managing medications. By listening to nurses and making these changes, hospitals can help patients have a better experience and avoid problems after they leave.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Patient-Centered Education in Wound Management: Improving Outcomes and Adherence - PubMed
When you have a wound that won't heal, how you take care of it every day makes a big difference. This article explains that when doctors and nurses teach patients how to manage their wounds, it helps patients follow the treatment plan better. This kind of teaching helps patients become more independent, which can lead to fewer doctor visits and lower healthcare costs. Doctors and nurses can use special ways of talking, like motivational interviewing, to understand what patients think about their treatment and help them stick with it.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Nurse-delivered patient education on postoperative wound care: a prospective study - PubMed
This study looked at how nurses teach patients about caring for their wounds after surgery. Researchers watched nurses and patients in two hospitals and found that only about a quarter of patients received wound care education. This teaching mostly focused on keeping dressings dry and how to change them. The study also found that women were more likely to get this education than men, and the amount of education varied between hospitals and how many days had passed since surgery.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Patients' Ability to Self‐Manage Their Surgical Wound to Prevent Wound Complications: A Cross‐Sectional Study - PMC
This study looked at how well patients in the Netherlands can take care of their surgical wounds after leaving the hospital. It found that most patients prefer to get spoken instructions about wound care when they are discharged, and over half also want information in other forms. The study also showed that there are gaps in the information patients receive, meaning they aren't always given everything they need to know. Improving how hospitals teach patients about wound care could help people better manage their wounds at home and prevent problems.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Explaining the features of patient education in home care units in Iran: A qualitative study - PMC
This study looked at how patients are taught in home care in Iran. Researchers found that this type of education helps patients learn to take care of themselves, improves the quality of medical services, and is affordable. However, because home care is new in Iran, it needs more support from healthcare leaders. They suggest things like making sure insurance covers these services, educating patients continuously, having a system to check on care, and advertising the benefits of home care education.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Empowering Patients: Promoting Patient Education and Health Literacy - PMC
Patients want to understand their health conditions better, so doctors and nurses need good ways to teach them. This article talks about making clear, up-to-date handouts and using electronic tools like patient portals to share information. When patients get good information, they can make better choices about their health and feel more satisfied with their care. This also helps them understand their health better overall.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Effectiveness of a home health monitoring and education program for complex chronic patients, led by primary care nurses - PMC
A program where primary care nurses visit patients with complex long-term illnesses at home to monitor their health and provide education has been shown to be effective. This program significantly reduced the number of times these patients had to be admitted to the hospital and how often they visited the emergency room. While it didn't change the death rate, it highlights the important role nurses play in helping people manage their chronic conditions from the comfort of their own homes. This approach can lead to better health outcomes and less reliance on costly hospital care for those with ongoing health challenges.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Patient education in home care: strategies for success - PubMed
This article talks about how to teach patients effectively when they are getting care at home. It explains important steps, starting with figuring out what a patient needs to learn and ending with checking if they understood. The article also shares useful tips and tools to help healthcare workers teach patients well in their own homes.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Rehabilitation of a Patient after a Transtibial Amputation: A Case Report - PMC
This article talks about how a 50-year-old man got better after having part of his leg removed due to a severe infection. This type of surgery, called a transtibial amputation, removes the foot and part of the lower leg. The main goal of his recovery was to help him regain strength, balance, and the ability to do everyday tasks, especially with the help of a new artificial leg. Through exercises and therapy, his pain decreased, and he became much more independent.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Psychiatric understanding and treatment of patients with amputations - PMC
Losing a limb can be a life-changing event that affects a person's mind and body. Many people who have had an amputation experience feelings of sadness, worry, and even post-traumatic stress. These feelings are normal, but they can make it harder to heal and get back to everyday life. It's important for doctors, family, and patients to recognize these emotional struggles early on so that mental health professionals can help. With the right support, including therapy and understanding from others, people with amputations can learn to cope and live fulfilling lives.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Gülhane lower extremity amputee rehabilitation protocol: A nationwide, 123-year experience - PMC
This article describes the Gülhane lower extremity amputee rehabilitation protocol, a program developed over 123 years to help people who have had a leg amputated. The protocol guides doctors and therapists through the entire process, from before surgery to getting a prosthetic leg and returning to daily life. It covers important steps like managing pain, caring for the surgical wound, doing exercises, and providing emotional support. The goal is to help amputees regain their body's function and get back to their normal activities with the best possible outcome.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Tailored Physiotherapy Combined With Exercises for Enhanced Recovery Post-Below-Knee Amputation in a Diabetic Patient With Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A Case Report - PMC
This article describes the recovery of a 59-year-old man who had his leg amputated below the knee due to diabetes and poor circulation. Doctors started physical therapy just two days after his surgery, focusing on healing his wound, reducing swelling, and easing pain. His therapy included exercises to strengthen his leg, improve movement, and help him get used to a prosthetic leg. The patient also received help for "phantom pain," which is pain felt in the missing part of the limb. This case shows that starting physical therapy early and tailoring it to the patient's needs can greatly improve their recovery and quality of life after an amputation.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Patient experiences of, and preferences for, surgical wound care education - PMC
This study looked at how patients felt about the information they received for taking care of their surgical wounds after leaving the hospital. Most patients wanted both spoken and written instructions from doctors and nurses. Patients who felt they were part of the decisions about their wound care were much more likely to feel confident managing their wounds at home. However, only about 40% of patients felt they actively participated in these decisions, suggesting that hospitals could do better at involving patients in their own care plans.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Assessment of Patient Education Delivered at Time of Hospital Discharge - PMC
This study looked at how well patients were taught about their health before leaving the hospital. Researchers watched 33 patients and found that most didn't get enough information about important things like new medicines, follow-up appointments, or what to do if they felt worse. Doctors and nurses spent very little time explaining these things, which means patients might not be ready to take care of themselves at home. This lack of clear information can lead to problems after patients leave the hospital, so hospitals need to find better ways to teach patients before they go home.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Pyramid of Discharge Needs: A Simple Framework on Discharge Planning for Medical Students and Residents - PMC
This article introduces a simple "Pyramid of Discharge Needs" to help medical students and residents plan for a patient's return home from the hospital. The pyramid has four levels, starting with basic needs like food and housing at the bottom, then moving up to daily living activities, healthcare access, and finally, logistical support. By using this pyramid, doctors-in-training can better understand what a patient needs to go home safely and avoid coming back to the hospital soon after. This framework helps them think about all aspects of a patient's life, not just their illness, to make sure they get the right care after leaving the hospital.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Getting your home ready - after the hospital: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
When you come home from the hospital, it's important to make your house safe and easy to get around in. This might mean moving your bed downstairs, stocking up on food and supplies, and making sure everything you need is within reach. You might also need help from family, friends, or a caregiver for things like bathing and cooking. Making changes in the bathroom, like adding grab bars and a shower chair, can prevent falls, and removing tripping hazards like loose rugs and cords throughout your home is also very important.
Source: MedlinePlus (NLM)
Skilled nursing facilities after joint replacement: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
After joint replacement surgery, many people hope to go straight home, but sometimes recovery takes longer or it's not safe to return home immediately. In such cases, you might need to go to a skilled nursing facility to get stronger and learn how to move safely. It's a good idea to talk with your doctor before surgery about whether this might be an option for you and to pick out a few facilities you'd prefer. These facilities have nurses and therapists who will help you heal, get stronger, and learn daily tasks so you can eventually go home safely. When choosing a facility, ask questions about their experience with joint replacement patients and the type of therapy they offer.
Source: MedlinePlus (NLM)
Going home after a C-section: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
After a C-section, you'll need help caring for yourself and your baby. Expect some bleeding for up to six weeks and tenderness around your incision for a few weeks, needing pain medicine. Keep your incision clean and dry, and avoid soaking in baths until your doctor says it's okay. Light activity like walking is good, but don't lift heavy things or do strenuous exercise for 6-8 weeks. Eat healthy, drink lots of water, and call your doctor if you have heavy bleeding, fever, increased pain, or feel very sad or depressed.
Source: MedlinePlus (NLM)
Laceration - sutures or staples - at home: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
If you have a cut that needed stitches or staples, it's important to take good care of it at home to prevent infection and help it heal. Keep the area clean and dry for the first day or two, then gently wash around the stitches or staples with cool water and soap once or twice a day. Make sure to dab the area dry and replace any bandages as your doctor told you. Try not to move too much so the wound doesn't open up again, and call your doctor if you see any signs of infection like redness, pain, pus, or if you have a fever.
Source: MedlinePlus (NLM)
Complementary Approaches to Postoperative Pain Management: A Review of Non-pharmacological Interventions - PMC
After surgery, many people experience pain, and while strong pain medications like opioids can help, they also have side effects. This article looks at other ways to manage pain without drugs, such as teaching patients what to expect before surgery, using mind-body practices like meditation, and physical therapies. These methods can help reduce pain, lower the need for opioids, and improve how quickly people recover. Healthcare workers play a big role in using these approaches, but they need more training and support to use them effectively. Adding these non-drug methods to pain management plans can lead to better pain control and less reliance on opioids.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Infection After Carpal Tunnel Surgery | PSNet
After carpal tunnel surgery, there's a small chance of getting an infection, usually less than 1%. These infections can be mild, like a skin infection, or more serious, affecting deeper tissues. Things like diabetes, smoking, and obesity can increase your risk. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions, like keeping the wound clean and dry, and to report any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or unusual smells, to your doctor right away.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
Patient Loss to Follow-up After Upper Extremity Surgery: A Review of 2563 Cases - PMC
After surgery on the hand or arm, it's important for patients to attend follow-up appointments to make sure they heal well and to catch any problems early. However, many patients don't show up for these appointments. A study looked at over 2500 cases and found that about a quarter of patients were lost to follow-up. This was more common in younger patients, men, those who paid for their own care or had Medicaid, and people who lived farther away from the clinic. Knowing these factors can help doctors find ways to improve care and make sure more patients complete their recovery.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Evidence-based perioperative pain management protocol for day case surgery in a resource limited setting: Systematic review - PMC
This study looked at how to best manage pain for people having day surgery, especially in places where there aren't a lot of medical resources. They found that many people still feel a lot of pain after day surgery, which can lead to problems like having to go back to the hospital. The researchers suggest that giving patients good information before surgery and using different types of pain medicine together can help a lot. This approach helps patients feel better and go home sooner and more safely.
Source: National Library of Medicine