home health aides knowing patient diagnosis

rach_nc_03 · Jun 13, 2005

Need experienced home health nurses input on this situation.
I think that when a home health aide gets a new patient they should at least know the patient's diagnosis. A person at one of my home care jobs feels that the HHA does not need to know what is wrong with the patient. My response is what if the person has a diagnosis such as:
seizure disorder
H/O previous MIs
H/O CVA or TIAs
H/O falls
bleeding problem
Osteoporosis
Swallowing diagnosis
I could go on and on with I think is a "scarey" thing to not tell someone caring for a patient as each one ties to precautions of signs you might be more observing of given a person's history.
I think the HHAs need to know this................
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
renerian

I've never worked in home health, but as a hospital CNA during nursing school, I always checked the patient's chart for dx. I witnessed a new CNA trying to get someone with right-side paralysis out of bed by himself, feeding a regular diet to a stroke patient with swallowing problems, that sort of thing- I agree that it's dangerous to withhold that sort of info from aides, especially in home health, where they can't get help quickly if something goes wrong.

alintanurse · Jun 14, 2005

Renerian,

It only makes sense that we deliver better care to our patients when we are well informed about their condition. As part of the healthcare team HHA's should be included as much as possible. Often times they provide care on the days patients are not visited by the nurse and alert you to changes that may result in an MD call. I wonder why you co-worker doesn't think HHA's need to know DX's?

renerian, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2005

Believe it is not this is a DON and says is it none of their business. Sigh. This relates to another thread about people in positions they should not be in. This is key leadership role.

renerian

Traveler · Jun 16, 2005

On the HHA care plans that we fill out at SOC (and the HHA's receive a copy of) there are places to list pt dx and specific precautions that need to be taken as well as things that the HHA's need to watch for and report to the nurse. I think this should be a given that the HHA's know these things as they are part of the team.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

I appreciate your input.

renerian

DDRN4me · Jun 16, 2005

our HHAs are given a copy of the 485 during orientation to each case...along with the HHA care plan listing specific intervention and precautions for each patient. I asked my sil who works for another agency and they do almost the same. it just makes sense!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

Believe it is not this is a DON and says is it none of their business. Sigh.

When i worked as an aide, i worked with nurses that though diagnosis were none of my business as well. So here i was, trying to get a resident to walk, not knowing they had a risk of falls or CVA.

Like alintanurse said, it only makes sense that we deliver better care to our patients when we are well informed about their condition. Really, that should include everyone.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

I agree, the team caring for the patient needs to know. Thanks.

renerian

happthearts · Aug 7, 2005

Need experienced home health nurses input on this situation.
I think that when a home health aide gets a new patient they should at least know the patient's diagnosis. A person at one of my home care jobs feels that the HHA does not need to know what is wrong with the patient. My response is what if the person has a diagnosis such as:
seizure disorder
H/O previous MIs
H/O CVA or TIAs
H/O falls
bleeding problem
Osteoporosis
Swallowing diagnosis
I could go on and on with I think is a "scarey" thing to not tell someone caring for a patient as each one ties to precautions of signs you might be more observing of given a person's history.
I think the HHAs need to know this................
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
renerian

When I set up care. I tell the CNA what it each diagnosis means weather I think they might know or not (Sometimes they are irratated by this when they do know ) and what to do or not do with each Pt . I also inroduce each and every PT at there home and see that my CNA can tranfer each one before I leave the house. I just feel my licence and theres is on the line its my job to tell them

Happy

happthearts · Aug 7, 2005

Need experienced home health nurses input on this situation.
I think that when a home health aide gets a new patient they should at least know the patient's diagnosis. A person at one of my home care jobs feels that the HHA does not need to know what is wrong with the patient. My response is what if the person has a diagnosis such as:
seizure disorder
H/O previous MIs
H/O CVA or TIAs
H/O falls
bleeding problem
Osteoporosis
Swallowing diagnosis
I could go on and on with I think is a "scarey" thing to not tell someone caring for a patient as each one ties to precautions of signs you might be more observing of given a person's history.
I think the HHAs need to know this................
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
renerian

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

renerian

When I set up care. I tell the CNA's what it each diagnosis means weather I think they might know or not (Sometimes they are irratated by this when they do know. ) and what to do or not do with each Pt . I also inroduce each and every PT at there home and see that my CNA can tranfer each one before I leave the house. I just feel my licence and there's is on the line its my job to tell them

Happy

renerian, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2005

I appreciate everyone's input on this subject. The DON still feels the same way and the hha's are not told.

Scarey to me,

renerian