What's reasonable to expect from nurses in home health?

[allieschwinn, RN]

Hi everyone, I've been in home health for a few years but had a question for others working in peds. I'm caring for a young patient (under 10) with multiple needs including trach and G-tube, and the family has a PT and OT that rotate in a couple times a week. That part's great, but on the days they're not there I've noticed I'm being asked to follow through on their treatment plans in detail (ROM, stretches, positioning, even some sensory stuff).

I totally understand supporting therapy goals as part of the care plan, but at what point does it cross into doing someone else's job? I'm all for teamwork, but I'm also trying to stay within scope and not blur professional lines.

Would love to hear how others  have navigated this in the home setting  especially when working solo. Thanks in advance!

[Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN]

I do PROM and stretching as shown by PT and is in the nursing plan of care. Most PTs are good about giving the family a plan to continue with during the week.  Some patients just have this on the plan of care without any PT involvement.  I don't work with children so I'm not familiar their sensory issues or have had any dealings with OTs so far. It should say in your nursing plan of care how much and when to do range of motion based on Dr's recommendation.  I would not go above that.  Hope this helps

[allieschwinn, RN]

Yes, that's helpful, thank you!