Home Health Help - Services offered

[PosseSonny]

Hi,

I wanted to start a Home Health but I am kind of lost with regards to what types of services to offer. I see pamphlets that describe the various specialties and services that an HHA offers, but I am a bit confused because if we have licensed vocational nurses, don't all HHA's offer the same services? I understand that there are Physical therapists, LVNs, Occupational therapists, CNAs, sociologists and speech pathologists, but how can I know what services I can offer?

I plan to hire LVNs, so does that cover a wide variety of services? Is there a book or website out there that can help me distinguish what time of service I can offer, what equipment is needed and/or what type of resource I need?

Any insight on this subject would be extremely helpful. Please help, I'm desperate!

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

I'm sorry but I'm relatively new to HH myself, and every agency offers different services. Perhaps someone will come along soon to help you out with this or offer some advice on where to get the information you are requesting. :)

[caliotter3]

You need to acquire some basic understanding of what you are attempting to embark upon. You will need RNs for your agency. Only RNs can do admission assessments, care planning, and other functions. You will need an experienced RN to act as your Director of Clinical Services. You will need an RN to do supervisory visits over your LVNs and/or HHAs. LVN/LPNs serve a different function than HHAs. While much of their duties might be the same, only a licensed nurse can do invasiive procedures in the home, administer meds in the home, etc. A HHA can only remind a client to take their meds, they can not administer them. They primarily function as a person who helps someone with the activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. They can't get involved with the oxygen (a med), the ventilator, and other things that are beyond their scope of duties. As far as the other disciplines, you can offer what you can support. One of your biggest start up problems, other than working capital, and getting business and employees at all, will be to research all the regulatory stuff you must follow and figure out how you are going to run your business and get reimbursed for your services. You have a big undertaking and should seek the advice of experts in this field. Good luck to you.

[PosseSonny]

Thanks, that was very informative!