In some cases, the physical functions of elderly people admitted to the hospital gradually deteriorate and their hospitalizations become prolonged, so the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will revise medical fees starting in June this year to provide support for early rehabilitation and discharge from hospital. The plan is to support the construction of new wards with the necessary conditions.
As the population ages, the number of elderly people being transported by emergency is increasing, but according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the majority of people have mild or moderate symptoms but their physical function declines during hospitalization, and they are unable to be discharged from hospital even though their illness has been cured. In some cases, hospitalization may be prolonged.
In light of these circumstances, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has established a system that, in addition to treating illnesses, prevents the decline in physical function through early rehabilitation and nutritional management, and provides support for discharge from hospital in coordination with home medical care and nursing care. The plan is to establish a new "community comprehensive medical ward."
Due to the revision of medical fees starting in June this year, the hospitalization fee for this ward will be set at 30,500 yen per patient per day, which is higher than that for general wards.
Additionally, in other wards, additional compensation is earned by working together across multiple professions to provide nutrition management, rehabilitation, and other services.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is working to deepen cooperation with nursing care and other organizations to ensure that patients receive appropriate medical care according to their medical conditions as the elderly population reaches its peak around 2040. The idea is to maintain it.