How can I not take paperwork home in Home Health?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Starting Home Health Again,

Congrats, Home Health can be a rewarding speciality.

The documentation in Home Health is known for being overwhelming and time-consuming. It's by far the biggest complaint home health nurses have. You are right to be concerned about how the workload will affect your home life, and you can find ways to manage it.

Medicare uses the Outcome Assessment and Information Set (OASIS) to capture data elements. It's lengthy and comprehensive but required for reimbursement and care planning, making it a necessary evil. Whether it's discharge, transfer, recertification or start of care (SOC), OASIS documentation justifies eligibility and care, even though it's redundant and lengthy.

As you become familiar with the forms, you will gain speed. There's a learning curve and you need to trust in the process- others have mastered it, and you can, too. The more you use OASIS, the faster and more proficient you'll become.

Whether you document in the home or in your car just outside, if at all possible complete your documentation before going on to your next patient.

The thing is, you have to be highly organized in all aspects of the job, and not just documentation, to avoid catching up at home. Plan your day for maximum efficiency. You may decide to see more difficult cases first in the morning, or plan your route according to the least expensive gas and time-wise. 

Don't waste time criss-crossing your path. Double-check addresses for new visits and call ahead to see if supplies are needed. Keep your supplies well-stocked. And again- document after each patient.

Check out the allnurses home health forum. Ask your preceptor and colleagues for practice tips and best wishes in your new job.

Nurse Beth