6 Benefits Of X-Ray Services In Long-Term Care Facilities
Posted on: 20 April 2023
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As the population of older adults continues to grow, it is increasingly important that long-term care facilities provide quality services to ensure their health, comfort, and safety. Long-term care X-ray services are one way these facilities can do this, offering a range of benefits for both patients and staff.
Here are five benefits of long-term care X-ray services.
1. Timely Diagnosis
X-rays allow medical professionals to quickly and accurately diagnose medical conditions that may otherwise be difficult to detect. This timeliness enables medical staff to quickly treat the patient and prevent the development of more serious, potentially life-threatening conditions. In addition, there is no need to wait for patient transport to take the resident to the hospital or local imaging center for an X-ray and wait for the results.
2. Safe Environment
Having X-ray services onsite ensures a safe environment for the patients, which is particularly important for dementia patients as they will be much calmer for the procedure when they are in a familiar setting.
3. Convenience
Having X-ray services onsite is immensely convenient for both staff and residents. This convenience eliminates the need to transport patients outside the facility, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. Simply wheeling a patient down the hall for the X-ray makes it easier for everyone.
4. Pre-Admission Screenings
Requiring a chest x-ray prior to admission can help identify patients with tuberculosis (TB) that may otherwise have gone undetected. TB is a serious infection and is highly contagious. This type of screening can help protect both the residents and staff members in the long-term care facility from potential infections or further health complications.
5. Reduced Risk of Infection
The risk of infection increases when a patient leaves the facility and is exposed to other environments. Vulnerable patients could come in contact with infectious diseases like flu or pneumonia, which can be easily spread through the facility. By performing X-rays onsite, long-term care facilities can reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
6. Improved Patient Care
Having X-ray services onsite allows medical professionals to quickly and accurately diagnose potential health issues, which can lead to improved patient care. This can reduce the amount of time a patient has to wait for treatment or referral, resulting in improved overall health outcomes.
By utilizing long-term care X-ray services, your facility can provide a safe and timely diagnosis for all of the residents, preventing the onset of more serious medical conditions and ensuring a healthy environment for all patients.