Patients are increasingly being treated with complex medical technologies in their own home. This offers great benefits, however, it also introduces risks. Despite improvements in recent years, points of special interest still exist. This was the conclusion of an RIVM investigation commissioned by the Inspectorate of Health Care (IGZ).
Recommendations from previous studies
In previous studies, RIVM and IGZ made an inventory of complex medical technologies used at home with their associated risks, and formulated recommendations for improvements. Follow-up research now shows that these recommendations have been largely implemented. However, not all risks have been adequately addressed yet.
Based on the recommendations made in previous studies, various
improvements have been implemented in home treatment with medical
technologies by the parties involved. One such improvement is the
field standard for chronic mechanical ventilation, which sets
minimum requirements for home treatment. In addition, support
centres for home dialysis are now certified.
Points of special interest
However, points of special interest still exist. Home care
workers with the right expertise are not always available.
Furthermore, patients and their carers are sometimes not adequately
supported during the transfer from hospital to the home situation.
Frequently, there is uncertainty about who is responsible for
what. Many parties are involved in home treatment. In
addition to the patients and their carers, medical specialists,
general practitioners, pharmacists, home care institutions and
health insurers are involved.