Continuity of Post-hospitalisation Nursing Services at the Homes of Older Patients in Lithuania
The aim was to determine the efficiency of state funded nursing services at the homes of older patients in Lithuania by applying the standard interRAI Assessment Form.
Materials and Methods. All geriatric patients discharged after 90–120 days of stay at the nursing hospital with a determined need for permanent nursing (home care) were examined.
Research Methodology. An interview was conducted at the homes of the older patients. In all, data were collected from 113 respondents. The capacities of patients, as well as the received nursing and assistance services, were discussed with the patients and their relatives. The cognition and functional statuses of respondents were assessed by employing the interRAI Home Care (HC) Assessment Form.
Results. From the group of the respondents determined to need permanent nursing (n = 75), only 26.7% received official nursing services at homes, and 13.3% of the research subjects were consulted on nursing services. From the group of the respondents determined to need assistance (n = 38), only 5.3% received assistance services at home.
Conclusions. The current system of providing nursing services at home is inefficient. The patients with a determined need for permanent nursing and assistance were only taken care of by informal carers. The interRAI (HC) instrument is suitable for determining the efficiency of nursing services provided at home.
Correspondence to L. Urbietė Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania. lina.urbiete@lsmuni.lt