Principles of Acute Care and Its Benefits for Patients

Acute care is a medical facility that offers short-term care that requires immediate attention. It deals with health issues arising due to accidents or illnesses that are not life-threatening. Acute care providers like Lenox Medical Clinic retain experienced health specialists and apply advanced techniques for convenience and efficiency. This article outlines the basic principles of the medical discipline.

Why is acute care necessary?

Acute care deals with situations where patients develop short-term disease symptoms or trauma. Medical experts describe it as the opposite of chronic illness management. But acute care involves short-term stays rather than long-term care.

A patient may visit an acute care facility after an incident of progressing illness. You can also choose the option following an invasive medical procedure. If complications develop during recovery, your healthcare provider can quickly identify the issue to address the side effects.

Acute care can provide effective interventions for medical problems, such as:

• Nausea and diarrhea
• Insect and animal bites
• Ankle sprains and strains
• Minor cuts and wounds
• Allergic reactions
• STD tests and diagnosis

Acute care aims to assist the patient until the situation improves. Some cases may require in-patient services. But unlike long-term chronic management, the facility will allow the patient to leave as soon as their condition stabilizes.

Why opt for acute over emergency care?

The ER primarily focuses on immediate and severe conditions or injuries.  An automobile accident may call for ER, but acute care is more suitable for minor burns and lacerations. The acute care option has many advantages unless you have a life-threatening emergency.

The principal downside of ER is acute care handles health issues based on emergencies. ER handles severe cases such as spinal injuries, loss of consciousness, and deep cuts.

Since emergency care prioritizes severe cases, you may spend a lot of time in the waiting room to receive care. Patients with minor cuts and burns could be sent to the back of the line as they wait for others to receive treatment for severe cases. Therefore, the process is not ideal for mild to moderate health issues that are not life-threatening.

Acute care and collaboration

Acute care focuses on offering timely services for patients with various health conditions. The facility is equipped to meet the standards of conventional healthcare facilities. The process involves monitoring the patient and addressing symptoms in the shortest time possible.

Acute care relies on a team of certified professionals to deliver on-time health services. Providing timely services can be challenging in some conditions. Therefore, collaboration between healthcare experts is crucial for coordinating services.

A team of professionals has unique experiences working in the medical field. When you arrive at the facility, you can tap into their expertise for insights into your illness. The collaborative approach puts you at ease as you recover.

Nonetheless, you should consider ER if you have a life-threatening health problem, such as unbearable back pain or chest trauma. Your doctor can confirm whether your case requires emergency treatment.

To learn more about the benefits of acute care, call Lenox Medical Clinic or schedule a consultation online today.