Miyamori et al reported the Home Care Score (HCS) to help determine if a patient being discharged can be adequately cared for at home.
Patient selection: being prepared for hospital discharge
Parameters:
(1) care provider's health
(2) availability of a care provider
(3) availability of a substitute care provider
(4) care provider's motivation
(5) bedroom availability
(6) home environment
(7) family income except public pension
(8) patient able to feed self
(9) patient able to bathe
(10) patient able to transfer
(11) patient able to dress
(12) patient able to use the toilet
(13) patient's verbal communication skills
(14) patient's mental status
(15) patient's medical condition
(16) patient's motivation
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
care provider's health |
healthy |
1 |
|
|
sickly |
0 |
|
care provider available |
yes |
1 |
|
|
no |
0 |
|
substitute provider available |
yes |
1 |
|
|
no |
0 |
|
care provider's motivation |
good |
4 |
|
|
normal |
2 |
|
|
poor |
0 |
|
bedroom availability |
yes |
1 |
|
|
no |
0 |
|
home environment (ownership) |
owns |
1 |
|
|
rents |
0 |
|
family income |
present |
1 |
|
|
does not exist |
0 |
|
feeding ability |
independent |
1 |
|
|
dependent |
0 |
|
bathing ability |
independent |
1 |
|
|
dependent |
0 |
|
transfer ability |
independent |
1 |
|
|
dependent |
0 |
|
dressing ability |
independent |
1 |
|
|
dependent |
0 |
|
ability to use toilet |
independent |
1 |
|
|
dependent |
0 |
|
verbal communication skills |
good |
1 |
|
|
poor |
0 |
|
mental status |
good |
2 |
|
|
poor |
0 |
|
medical condition |
good |
1 |
|
|
poor |
0 |
|
patient's motivation |
good |
2 |
|
|
normal |
1 |
|
|
poor |
0 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 20
• The higher the score the better the chances of being adequately cared for at home.
