Read story D13: Treated at home (image and text)
Treated at home
Olga develops delirium and receives urgent medical assessment. The team decides that hospital treatment at home is suitable in her circumstances, with regular clinical visits and an agreed support plan.
This service is available in some places. It is suitable only after assessment of the illness, treatment needs, safety and available support. Ask who is responsible, when visits will happen and how to get help between visits. Care should not depend on a relative providing more support than they can manage. Difficulty waking or severe deterioration needs emergency help.
Story text
Panel 1. Olga lives with her daughter Natalia. After a stomach bug, she becomes muddled over a day.
Panel 2. Natalia seeks urgent medical help. The GP assesses Olga.
Panel 3.
- GP: She has delirium. She's dehydrated, and badly constipated.
Panel 4.
- GP: After assessment, the hospital at home team can offer treatment here with an agreed support plan.
Panel 5.
- Olga: I want to stay at home.
- Natalia: I can stay with her.
Panel 6. Nurses from the team visit every day. Blood tests, drinks, bowel treatment and her own bed.
Panel 7.
- GP: Call emergency services if she is hard to wake or suddenly much worse. We’ll explain the contact plan.
Panel 8. Five days later, Olga is back to herself.
- Olga: Natalia, where's my knitting?
Bottom band. Delirium can sometimes be treated at home, with medical support and a safety plan.