Medical Care of the Discharged Hospital Patient

An Historical Perspective on Home Care Policy

“…In the 1930s and 1940s, health professionals (most visibly, physicians and social workers) were ambivalent about the home as a site for care. Indeed, some critics of home care also maintained that it could lead to substantial reductions in health care costs by reducing utilization of in patient beds by the chronically ill and saving hospital days (Jarrett 1933b;Jensen and Weiskotten 1944). During this period, home care be came defined as a less expensive alternative to hospitalization, as well as a means to other positive outcomes.…”

“…During this period, home care be came defined as a less expensive alternative to hospitalization, as well as a means to other positive outcomes. Proponents argued that most pa tients and their families preferred to live and receive care at home and that, once cared for at home, chronic patients were happier, less anx ious, and better prepared to manage their illnesses (Bardwell 1930;Ep stein 1930;Jensen and Weiskotten 1944).…”

Practical Nurse Training in the Home: Montefiore Demonstration Project

“…In many instances, a practical nurse, properly prepared, can bring these attributes to the patient in the home or in the hospital, particularly if she is accepted as a member of the team along with the doctor, the social worker, and the professional nurse. 5. It is not difficult to insert within the curriculum the time necessary for home care, and the budgetary implications are not of such great moment as to make this financially impracticable, particularly if there is an organized program of home care and an effective and cooperating visiting nurse service.…”