Summer is time for fun in the sun, but for many East Adams residents, it’s also time for a trip to the ER. Emergency rooms experience a surge in visits during the summer, with a spike around the 4th of July. But it’s not all fireworks-related injuries. People tend to spend more time outdoors during the summer, which can increase their risk of heat-related illnesses, sports injuries, and chronic conditions flaring up in the summer heat. Most patients will make a speedy recovery, but others may need the help of our transitional care services before going home.
Could the swing beds in our transitional care unit help you recover from a fall, illness, or dehydration? In this article, we break down more about these services and how they are helping locals like you recover closer to home.
Learn More About Transitional Care Services at EARH
Why Do ER Visits Peak in the Summer?
The spike in summer-time ER visits isn’t unique to Adams County. It’s something that happens across the United States. The increase in ER visits during the summer happens for a few reasons, including:
- Heat-related illnesses: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke. These illnesses can be more serious for older adults and people with chronic conditions.
- Outdoor injuries: More time outside often means more chances for sprains, fractures, cuts, and burns from yard work, sports, or other recreational activities.
- Chronic illness flare-ups: Hot weather can make symptoms associated with heart disease, respiratory conditions, and diabetes worse.
In some rural areas, these health concerns can mean traveling long distances to care facilities or limited access to healthcare services. For those living in Adams County, though, there is a more convenient solution much closer to home: East Adams Rural Healthcare’s transitional care services.
How Can Transitional Care Services Help?
Transitional care services like the ones at EARH are designed to support patients as their recovery takes them from hospital to home. They may no longer need acute care in a hospital, but they might still require skilled nursing or rehabilitation before they can safely return home. Our swing bed program allows patients to stay in the hospital and access our team of nurses, physical therapists, and medical staff without leaving the Ritzville area.
Staying in the hospital here gives patients more time to fully recover and prepare for managing their healthcare needs independently at home. Care like this reduces hospital readmissions, lowers the risk of complications, and gives patients and their families peace of mind.
Summer Conditions That May Benefit from Transitional Care
Many summer-related health concerns need ongoing support beyond what a medical team can provide during a visit to the ER or during a short hospital stay. EARH’s transitional care program can help with recovery for summertime health conditions such as:
- Heat stroke and severe dehydration that require close monitoring
- Fractures or sprains from falls or accidents
- Post-surgical recovery after urgent or planned procedures
- Infections that require IV antibiotics and daily observations
- Flare-ups from chronic illnesses such as COPD or heart disease brought on by summer heat
With transitional care services, patients can recover at their own pace without the hassle of transferring to a facility further away from home. Stay close to friends and family and get the care you need in a facility you already know and trust.
What to Expect from EARH’s Transitional Care Services
Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave the ER. Transitional care services can provide the continued support that local patients need without needing to relocate from the communities they love and rely on.
This is where East Adams Rural Healthcare strives to make an impact. The EARH team offers personalized care in a familiar environment, making the healing journey safer and more comfortable. If you or a loved one are facing a hospital stay this summer, talk to your care team about how our transitional care services can help. Learn more about our swing bed program or call our office today.
Are you experiencing a summertime emergency? Our emergency room is open 24/7 all summer long. Our walk-in clinic will also be available throughout the summer for non-emergency, same-day care without an appointment.
