Private duty vs. home health

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I'm confused now. I just found this section of the forums and while I've always considered myself a home health nurse the description here better describes what I do. I work 8-12 hr shifts at a patients home but through an agency. Sooooooo what am I? Both perhaps?

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Sounds like you are private duty. Home health is usually considered to be visits to the home...maybe an hour or so to provide care or assess their condition.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Home health is intermittent skilled visits (post hospital, disease education/ management) or supervision of home health aides. Generally for a finite period of time of a month or so or a specific treatment (such as in home IV antibiotic or chemotherapy infusion). Visits are usually short an hour or so.

Private duty is shift work if 4,8,10,12,16 hrs most often pediatrics or developmentally disabled adults. Occasionally geriatrics but most geriatric are home health aide cases. May accompany a child to school 1:1.

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Ok then I'm a private duty. I do 12 hours with my kids and 8 hours overnight with geriatric who is on a vent while sleeping.

Thank you for the responses.

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