Hospital Case Management – April 1, 2023

Health Systems Turn to Food Pharmacies to Improve Nutrition

Solving community food insecurity could be as simple as opening a food pharmacy. Increasingly, population health efforts are turning to social determinants of health, including finding ways to overcome obstacles like food deserts and poor nutrition. New programs tackle the food insecurity issue by prioritizing nutrition and food access the same as medication — a necessary treatment for various chronic conditions.

How Food Pharmacies Serve Local Populations

The food pharmacy model is growing in popularity. Hospital Case Management offers this snapshot of several food pharmacy programs that have produced positive results for their target populations.

Free Meals Available for Seniors, But Too Few Referrals from Case Managers

A lesser-known option to improve nutrition for older Americans is congregate meals, which are available in almost every American community. Case managers sometimes are unaware of this resource for both nutritious food and socialization, which both of which benefit seniors.

Hospital-to-Nursing Facility Admissions Plunged for VA Patients from 2020 to 2021

The Veterans Health Administration’s community nursing home program reported a readmission decrease of more than one-third from April 12, 2020, to Dec. 26, 2020, when compared with the same period in 2019, according to the results of a recent study.

Shortage of Nursing Home Beds Prompts Creative Solutions

The nursing home crises of too few beds and not enough staff is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Case managers, discharge planners, and transition of care leaders need to find alternative solutions that will keep patients safe and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

Ethical Responses if Family Abandons Loved One at Hospital

By leveraging their mediation skills, ethicists can build trust between weary family caregivers and clinicians who are unsure about how to handle a delicate situation. This can help everyone identify patient needs and find possible solutions.

Trauma Patients at Risk for Developing Opioid Use Disorder

Better identification and referral of patients with opioid use disorder could enhance the quality and continuity of care these patients receive, while also reducing reliance on EDs and the crowding that ensues.