Things To Consider For An ICU Setup At Home During The COVID Times

Medical care is expensive. With COVID-19 cases rising at an alarming rate, ICU beds got exhausted, and healthcare facilities are finding it increasingly difficult to cater to all patients in need. However, a cost-effective and marginally safer alternative is available. There are certain agencies and healthcare institutions that provide intensive care setups at home. It allows for critically ill patients and those suffering from moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms and infections to get the help they need at home.

These sorts of setups decrease the wait for a bed in a hospital or risk themselves to the exposure of other sick patients. With that being said, people must only resort to intensive care at home when the patient’s condition is severe. For example, if they are suffering from critical cases of pneumonia or other terminal illnesses, it is recommended to opt for an ICU setup at home.

What are the constituents of a home ICU setup for COVID?

1. Critical care nurse – A certified nurse to take care of the patient’s daily needs is essential. Home attendants for the elderly are necessary to check their bladder and bowel movement, manage bedsores, monitor the ventilator, take regular oxygen and temperature checks, and adequately feed the patient. They must also know how to operate all the required equipment. A good nurse can make a huge difference in a patient’s recovery.

2. Medical equipment – Technologically advanced medical equipment is absolutely crucial in an ICU home setup. The most basic equipment requisites are:
   1. A para monitor
   2. Suction machine
   3. Nebuliser
   4. Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) pump
   5. IV stand
   6. An alpha bed
   7. Oxygen cylinder
   8. Ventilator (if essential)
   9. BiPAP machine (if essential)

3. Bedsore management – Prolonged periods of bed rest can result in ulcers on the parts of the skin on which you are lying down. This can cause severe infections to the patient and decelerate the recovery process. An alpha mattress must be provided to avoid this, and the patient’s dressing must also be changed 2-3 times a day.

4. Power backup – In case of a power cut, the equipment and machines should have an alternative power supply to prevent the recovery process from facing hindrances.

Cost breakdown of an ICU home setup

This is a rough breakdown of an ICU home setup cost to give you a brief idea of the price range while opting for it. It will also help you understand the pros of a home setup compared to a hospital ICU.

According to a professional, an ICU set up at home is less than 50% of the hospital cost. A hospital ICU would cost you Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 per day while a home ICU setup would cost you Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 a day.

Tips for setting up an ICU system at home

1. It is essential to have a certified ICU experienced nurse who has undergone sufficient training at verified training institutions and hospitals. During emergencies, they should be equipped with the proper knowledge to know what to do and get immediate help.
2. When looking at agencies that offer home ICU setups, consider looking for one that provides a 24×7 ambulance service that can be utilised during an emergency to avoid wasting valuable time.
3. The room that the ICU setup is set up in should be cleaned and sanitised twice a day. Proper precautions are to be taken to keep the patient safely isolated.

Why should you consider an ICU setup at home?

1. Cost-effective – As mentioned above in the cost breakdown, the price difference between the two is evident. A hospital ICU would cost you Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 a day while a home ICU setup would set you by Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 a day. This is quite a price difference to be noted.

2. One to one care – In most cases, when resorting to hospital ICUs, it is difficult to get their attention. Even nurses attend to 3-4 patients at a time at a hospital. But when it comes to a home setup, a nurse available to you solely 24×7 and scheduled calls with the doctor allows for all the necessary attention.

3. The comfort of home – Being able to recover in the comforts of your own home is a luxury that has proven to be more effective and cost-effective. It is also safer than being in a public environment as the risks of contracting any other infections during the recovery process is slim to none.

Home ICU setups benefit from receiving quality healthcare at a considerably lower price with the same treatment as you would get in a hospital. This allows for safer and more convenient treatment and recovery. In addition, such facilities prove that during a crisis, the healthcare system pulled together to their best abilities to offer their facilities to those in dire need.