You may have heard of the term “high acuity” from your older loved one’s or your medical treatment team. Do you know what a high-acuity patient is? You need to know the definition to understand the services included in high-acuity nursing care. Call 214.225.6197 to speak with someone from Ventana’s knowledgeable and compassionate team about high-acuity patients and our long-term care services for seniors.
How to Choose a Senior Living Community for Older Adults
A high-acuity patient requires high levels of medical care or monitoring due to a condition that cannot be easily managed. These patients often need more nursing resources and attention to maintain their quality of life. High-acuity nursing refers to the specialized care provided for high-acuity patients, which may include high doses of pain medications, high levels of mobility assistance, ventilator support, and complex wound care. High-acuity nurses are specially trained to provide high-quality medical care in these high-acuity settings.
Therefore, an older adult struggling with a condition that cannot be easily managed independently or with caregivers at home may benefit from high-acuity nursing in a long-term care facility. When choosing a senior living community for your older loved one, high-acuity nursing should be a high priority.
What Services Are Part of High-Acuity Nursing Care?
High-acuity nursing care offers a wide range of services designed for individuals with complex medical needs. These complicated needs typically arise from a high-acuity diagnosis, such as cancer or multiple chronic conditions. Services in high-acuity nursing care often include the following:
- Administering medications
- Managing vital signs
- Providing nutrition support
- Symptom management
- Wound care
Additionally, high-acuity nursing care may also include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language therapy to help patients maintain their strength and improve their overall quality of life. This type of nursing care may also include educating family members on disease processes. These services must be provided by healthcare professionals who are well-versed in caring for individuals with complex medical needs.
The difference between high-acuity nursing care and skilled nursing care is that high-acuity nursing care focuses on patients with complex medical needs, whereas skilled nursing care is more general. Skilled nursing care may include wound care, physical therapy, and medication management for people of all ages and medical conditions.
What Is a High-Acuity Patient?
A high-acuity patient has an acute or long-term medical condition requiring specialized care from experienced professionals. These patients often have complex illnesses or injuries that require ongoing monitoring and treatment from trained caregivers. The level of care needed by these patients can vary greatly depending on their situation and the severity of their illness or injury. Examples of illnesses or injuries that may require high-acuity nursing care include:
- Advanced dementia
- Cancer
- Chronic lung disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
High-acuity nursing care is designed to meet each patient’s needs and provide high-quality, specialized care. It is often the best option for individuals with high-acuity illnesses and injuries who require more intensive care than traditional nursing homes can provide.
Where Can You Find High Acuity Nursing Care?
High-acuity nursing care is available at many hospitals, acute-care facilities, and assisted living communities throughout Texas. In terms of senior living communities, some—such as skilled nursing homes or memory care facilities—may also provide this type of nursing care to their members. If crucial to your case, you must ask about high-acuity nursing care if you’re considering moving yourself or an older loved one into a senior living community.
Ventana by Buckner offers specialized medical care for those with complex medical needs in a comfortable setting surrounded by compassionate professionals. Our team understands the unique challenges of caring for high-acuity patients and provides personalized attention to ensure each individual receives the best possible care.
Find High-Acuity Nursing Care in Texas at Ventana
If you or someone you love requires specialized medical attention due to an acute or long-term illness or injury, look no further than Ventana for all your healthcare needs. Contact Ventana today at 214.225.6197 to learn more about our comprehensive healthcare offerings for high-acuity patients in Texas.