Client outcomes in a community health setting

• Main Author: Ghaly, Marina Adele
• Other Authors: Sherman, Jacqueline Blank
• Language: en_US
• Published: The University of Arizona. 1990
• Subjects: Community health nursing.; Home care services.; Patient satisfaction.; Community health services for older people.
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/277274

A descriptive design was used to describe five client outcome scales as potential measures of quality care in home health care: discharge status, client satisfaction, medication adherence, general symptom distress and caregiver strain. The conceptual model used necessitated three separate samples: a discharged sample of 20 clients, an active client sample of 14 subjects and a caregiver sample of three subjects for a total of 37 subjects. Structured interviews and questionnaires were used; descriptive statistics were applied to scores. The most notable indicator of quality of care, the medication adherence scale, showed all clients taking medications as prescribed. The primary reason for discharge showed that the client could manage without further services. Clients reported that they were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with services. Caregivers reported a low perceived level of stress. The scales measuring discharge status and symptom distress need further investigation to determine if they are true indicators of the concept of quality care.