home health

[mks2557]

Just want to know if anyone has any knowledge - we are a hospital based home health who are currently being managed by an outside management company. We have a lot of push towards money- and I can understand that, but recently we have started a new activity which bothers me. We are getting information from our ER which we use to call patients to check on them after an ER visit. This I'm ok with- follow up is good patient care and PR. We then determine whether they are a good candidate for home health, call the MD and let the patient choose the home health. We do an evaluation or refer to the agency of their choice. Has anyone every heard of this? It seems like we could be doing something inappropriate?

thanks

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

We are getting information from our ER which we use to call patients to check on them after an ER visit. This I'm ok with- follow up is good patient care and PR. We then determine whether they are a good candidate for home health, call the MD and let the patient choose the home health. We do an evaluation or refer to the agency of their choice

This is quite appropriate as:

a. You are hospital based system, therefore HIPAA applies re sharing clinical info.

b. Decreasing inappropriate hospital admissions ---or sending them BACK to hospital if condition deteriorating.

c. Calling MD/PCP to arrange orders for homecare eval.

d. Giving patient freedom to choose agency.

We do something similar past 3 yrs: ER Social Worker/RN calls info into agency, we call patient and do phone screening re did they obtain RX meds, how is casted limb or swelling post fall, did they get wound care supplies, any questions re ER visit/instructions and schedule home care visit when patient agreeable. Notify PCP for eval order or if pt declines visit...refer if known elsewhere.