Question

Episodic care is health care provided to a client during an episode of illness. The main focus of this model of care is to treat the immediate issues of the client. This model of care is proven to have lot of risk factors as it lacks continuity of care and does not consider holistic care. Give below are a list of situations where episodic care is commonly sought. Write at least 2 related risk factors for each situation.

15.1) 86 year old client admitted from a nursing home with UTI and delirium.

15.2) 6 month old baby is admitted with diarrhoea and vomiting

15.3) A client with delirium is posted for abdominal surgery.

15.4) Client was admitted with pathological fracture in the lower legs and is bed bound. Recovery time is expected to be more than 2 weeks 15.5) A client with BMI of 38 is admitted for treatment of chronic back and knee pain. Client needs assistance with mobility and transfers due to pain.

15.6) A client is admitted with Depression and weight loss for investigation. Client has lack of appetite and is non complaint to previous therapeutic interventions

Answer 1

The risk factors for each situation are:
1. 86 yr old with UTI and delirium: sensory impairment, incomplete bladder emptying.
2. 6 months old with diarrhoea and vomiting: dehydration, infection
3. Delirium with abdominal surgery: malnutrition, sensory impairment
4. Pathological fracture, bedridden for 2 weeks: bed sores, decreased physical activities
5. Severe back pain: ambulation difficulty, loss of muscle strength
6. Depression, weight loss: suicidal thoughts, fluid and electrolyte imbalance.