Home care gains ground in UAE as hospitals are 'no-go' amid coronavirus

Home health care is gaining ground in the UAE as many licensed healthcare staff is now catering to patients' needs right at their doorstep, amid the Covid-19 scare.

While hospitals are ramping up phone or video visits, even the smartest phone can't physically dress a wound or get someone to the bathroom. Therefore, home care nurses, aides and attendants are taking on the difficult and potential risk of caring for patients who not only need palliative care or physiotherapy but under certain special conditions are even catering to outpatient care.

Indian expat PG Sunder has high blood pressure and around mid-April, he realised, his medicines were running out. Unable to go to the doctor, he decided to get in touch with his physician virtually, who then advised a lipid profile test. "We availed the 'Lab At Home' service by Aster, where an attendant following all hygiene protocols came to our apartment's lobby to take my husband's blood samples. They even instructed us beforehand about taking certain safety precautions pertaining to Covid-19," said Sunder's wife Prabha Iyer.

"I too had shoulder pain and tendonitis in my feet for which I was consulting an orthopaedic. With those visits not possible, I did a video call with my doctor who prescribed me medicines that were later delivered to my doorstep."

Emirati Sherifa has been availing the country's home care services for her driver who suffered a stroke this January. Ensuring that he receives complete care round the clock, she got in touch with a city's leading hospital. "He has been our driver for the past 30 years and lives with us in our house. When he suffered a stroke, I made sure he gets proper treatment and care so that he can recover at the earliest. He cannot obviously go to the hospital in the given condition. Two nurses from Prime hospital come in different shifts to take care of him completely, as he is almost immobile."

Reflecting on the situation where many still need personalised professional care, Dr Sherbaz Bichu, CEO of Aster Hospitals UAE, said: "It is our moral responsibility being part of the healthcare sector to provide feasible and easy access of healthcare and home care services to all. So our staff goes to patients to ensure continuity of quality care to critical and non-critical patients, which is the core of our system.

"Home care services are especially useful when medicine refills are required or for palliative care or physiotherapy. Our home care service is relatively new in Dubai but our Wahat al Aman Home health care in Abu Dhabi have been supporting patients providing quality home care on a daily basis. We also ensure the safety of our staff when they go to people's homes as that is also one of our chief concerns during this period."

Sarah Ilyas, chief nursing officer at Aster Hospital UAE, said that although interactive patient portals are available often nursing staff have to attend to patients personally. "Hospitals have become the no-go place now for most people. So, our nurses go to people's homes to do wound dressings or give IV (intravenous) injections. For bedridden patients, they give bed bath and sometimes tube feeding is required. We even teach families how they can do the same for patients. We cater to 10 such patients on an average per day."

The fleet of home nursing management at Prime Hospital consists of 60 nurses, two physiotherapists and one physician. "There are some geriatric patients or some families who need pediatric care. These services also entail infusions at home, palliative, post-operative or wound care," said Dr Jyothish George, director of Prime Home Care Services, Prime Healthcare Group.

"We advise our staff to take extreme precautions while visiting patients in their homes. Doctors and nurses need to safeguard themselves as well and educate patients before they step out to render such services," he added.
Home healthcare services
> Doctor care

A doctor may visit a patient at home to diagnose and treat the illness. He or she may also periodically review the home health care needs.
> Nursing care

In consultation with the doctor, a registered nurse will set up a plan of care. It may include wound dressing, IV therapy, medication, monitoring, pain control, and other health support.
> Therapy services

Patients who need assistance can seek the help of therapists at home to regain their lost skills after an illness or injury. This includes services from physical therapists, occupational therapists or speech therapists
> Laboratory and X-ray imaging
Certain laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests, can be performed in the comfort of the patient's home. In addition, portable X-ray machines allow lab technicians to perform this service at home.
> Pharmaceutical services
Medicine and medical equipment can be delivered at home. If the patient needs it, training can be provided on how to take medicines or use of the equipment, including IV therapy.

(Source: www.https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org)

Tips for homecare givers
> Keep in mind that the patient might be suffering from unfortunate circumstances and can be moody

> Don't think the patient is having personal grudges or is upset with you

> Rather than getting irritated with the patient, deal with him in a caring manner.

> Your first priority is to give your patient the care they need and make them feel comfortable. While doing so, don't get distracted by doing other tasks.

> Some patients need extra care and help to carry out their daily activities, keep a close eye on your patient as he/she might fall or injure himself.

> Communication is key. Listen to the patient. That includes them telling you about the side effects of medications, their symptoms or personal thoughts.

> Be flexible. You are not only keeping track of the patient's physical health but also of their daily routine activity. The tasks might include bathing, feeding, and dressing the patient.

> Remember that your job is to care not only the physical but also the emotional well-being of your patient. Try to remain patient at all times and understand their unique situation.
nandini@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai