An Annotated Bibliography on Home Care Technologies

1985 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-393
Author(s):  
Josette Leenders ◽  
Lars-Åke Marké

Curtiss, F. R. (1984). Reimbursement dilemma regarding home health-care products and services. Am. J. Hosp. Pharm., August, 41(8), 1548–57.Reimbursement mechanisms for home health-care products and services are discussed in detail. The two major categories of the home health care industry—(1) skilled nursing, homemaker, and other services, and (2) equipment, supplies, and other products (including drugs)—are reimbursed by third-party payers differently. While prospective pricing of inpatient care encourages the growth of home-care services, government administrators are concerned about potential spending growth at time of ballooning deficits, and private health insurers are uncertain about coverage criteria. Nuances of Medicare coverage criteria and private insurance reimbursement for home health care services are described. Medicaid coverage of drugs and biologicals for home patients is also described. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is expected to clarify and restrict Medicare coverage and payment of home-care products, equipment, and supplies. Medical justification will probably become more specific with greater attention to patient diagnoses and prognosis of patient therapies. Per-case payment methods will be refined to encompass home care. The government and private insurance programs will move toward capitation payment methods under which institutions will have even greater incentives to develop sophisticated home-care programs to substitute for institutional care. L.A.M.

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 242s-242s
Author(s):  
O. Shamieh ◽  
A. Mansour ◽  
R. Harding ◽  
M. Tarawneh ◽  
S. Payne

Background and context: The home healthcare market in Jordan is nascent with little service offered. It suffers from a highly fragmented and underregulated landscape. The limited access to qualified trustworthy home care services, lack of professional home care training, and lack of home health care insurance coverage have added to the heavy in-patient bed demand and delayed hospital discharges especially for disabled or terminally ill patients. Aim: To establish a comprehensive national home care program to improve the delivery of palliative and home care services in Jordan, and to conduct a situational analysis and generate policy recommendations. Strategy/Tactics: We used multiple strategies to reach our objectives. 1. Expansion of home care services at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) to create a local demonstration project. 2. Building health care professional capacity by offering variety of educational programs. 3. Improving quality of service delivery by generating clinical practice guidelines, such as standards operating procedures and patient and family educational materials. 4. Use the pilot operational and financial data to generate an economic model to inform the development of similar home health care units in hospitals across Jordan. 5. National advocacy and building effective partnership with all related stakeholders to advance national policy. Program/Policy process: Between May 2016 and May 2017, 7818 home care visits were conducted by KHCC. For capacity building; 678 health care professionals were trained in palliative and home care, out of which 366 participants were females (54%). Palliative care was successfully recognized as a specialty by the Jordan Nursing Council and recognized as a subspecialty by the Jordan Medical Council. The palliative and home care standards of practice were included in the health care accreditation council. The analysis of economic evaluation data suggested that home care services decreased in-patient utilization and costs which is advantageous to a country with limited resources. As a result of the advocacy stream and a collaborative network, the national palliative and home care strategic framework was generated, and endorsed by the Ministry of Health. Outcomes: The NHCI resulted in a very successful pilot project and achieved specialty and subspecialty recognition. Furthermore, we were able to build the capacity of health care professionals and policy makers in the palliative and home care sector from public, private and academic institutions. In the advocacy and policy dimension, the Minister of Health officially approved and adapted the palliative and home care strategic framework that was developed by this initiative. What was learned: Cross-sector collaboration and effective partnership resulted in system change and policy advancement. Developing effective economic systems is essential in low resourced countries. The initiative was supported by a joint grant from the USAID and KHCC.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Squires ◽  
Timothy R. Peng ◽  
Yolanda Barrón-Vaya ◽  
Penny Feldman

Approximately one in five households in the United States speaks a language other than English at home. This exploratory, descriptive study sought to examine language-concordant visit patterns in an urban home health care agency serving a diverse and multilingual population. Patient care record data combined with administrative data facilitated the exploratory work. In a 2-year period, results showed that among the 238,513 visits with 18,132 limited English proficiency patients, only 20% of visits were language concordant. The study suggests that home health care services may not be meeting the demand for language services, but more research is needed to determine the right “dose” of bilingual home care visits to optimize home care outcomes and establish a standard for care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Zhou ◽  
Joyce Cheng ◽  
Shuangshuang Wang ◽  
Nengliang Yao

Abstract Background Home health care services (HHC) are emerging in China to meet increased healthcare needs among the homebound population, but there is a lack of research examining the efficiency and effectiveness of this new care model. This study aimed to investigate care recipients’ experiences with HHC and areas for improvement in China. Methods This research was a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were collected from homebound adults living in Jinan, Zhangqiu, and Shanghai, China. A sample of 17 homebound participants aged 45 or older (mean age = 76) who have received home-based health care were recruited. Conceptual content analysis and Colaizzi’s method was used to generate qualitative codes and identify themes. Results The evaluations of participants’ experiences with HHC yielded both positive and negative aspects. Positive experiences included: 1) the healthcare delivery method was convenient for homebound older adults; 2) health problems could be detected in a timely manner because clinicians visited regularly; 3) home care providers had better bedside manners and technical skills than did hospital-based providers; 4) medical insurance typically covered the cost of home care services. Areas that could potentially be improved included: 1) the scope of HHC services was too limited to meet all the needs of homebound older adults; 2) the visit time was too short; 3) healthcare providers’ technical skills varied greatly. Conclusions Findings from this study suggested that the HHC model benefited Chinese older adults—primarily homebound adults—in terms of convenience and affordability. There are opportunities to expand the scope of home health care services and improve the quality of care. Policymakers should consider providing more resources and incentives to enhance HHC in China. Educational programs may be created to train more HHC providers and improve their technical skills.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Zhou ◽  
Joyce Cheng ◽  
Shuangshuang Wang ◽  
Nengliang (Aaron) Yao

Abstract Background: Home health care services (HHC) are emerging in China to meet increased healthcare needs among the homebound population, but research examining the efficiency and effectiveness of this new care model is rare. This study aimed to investigate care recipients’ experiences with HHC and areas for improvement in China.Methods: This research was a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were collected from homebound adults living in Jinan, Zhangqiu, and Shanghai, China. A sample of 17 homebound participants aged 45 or older (mean age = 76) who have received home-based clinical care were recruited. Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method was used to generate qualitative codes and identify themes.Results: The evaluations of participants’ experiences with HHC yielded both positive and negative aspects. Positive experiences included: 1) the healthcare delivery method was convenient for homebound older adults; 2) health problems could be detected in a timely manner because doctors visited regularly; 3) home care providers had better bedside manners and technical skills than did hospital-based providers; 4) medical insurance typically covered the cost of home care services. Areas that could potentially be improved included: 1) the scope of HHC services was too limited to meet all the needs of homebound older adults; 2) the visit time was too short; 3) healthcare providers’ technical skills varied greatly.Conclusions: Findings from this study suggested that the HHC model benefited Chinese older adults, primarily homebound adults, in terms of convenience and affordability. There are opportunities to expand the scope of home health care services and improve the quality of care. Policymakers may consider providing more resources and incentives to enhance HHC in China. Educational programs may be created to train more HHC providers and improve their technical skills.Trial registration: Not applicable


2019 ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Philip Collins ◽  
Stuti Jha ◽  
Alison Mancuso ◽  
John Bertagnolli ◽  
Sondra De Antonio ◽  
...  

Context: This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of patients’ understanding of homebound criteria and house call eligibility. Objective: To date, little empirical data exists assessing patient knowledge of home health care services. This study is designed to examine patients’ understanding of home health care services, eligibility criteria, costs, and interest in house calls. Methods: This study used an anonymous survey developed by the researchers and provided to patients in four separate office locations at a large academic Family Medicine practice. Questions about homebound criteria, eligibility, out of pocket cost, and patient interest were asked. Results: In total 393 surveys were collected. Approximately 47 percent of all respondents in the survey showed interest in having a home care visit by a healthcare professional, while only 59.6 percent were able to accurately identify the definition of homebound status. Approximately 60 percent of all respondents believe that they will have to pay more out of pocket for home visits, and the subgroup of respondents who have an interest in home visits showed that 63.4 percent of that group think that they will have to pay more out of pocket for such visits. Conclusion: These data have the potential to inform medical providers of a lack of understanding among patients regarding homebound criteria and home health care in general. While further studies could examine more specific details of this potential knowledge gap, the information provided by this study could prompt providers to begin educating patients on the possibility of home care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 82-82
Author(s):  
Jihyun Park ◽  
Suhyun Kim

Abstract Population aging is one of the significant global issues. Long-term care is emphasized as “aging in place,” and it is known that home and community-based service is a cost-effective way to achieve this. Over ten years have passed since the introduction of long-term care insurance in Korea, and it is necessary to improve home health care in long-term care. The aim of this study was to identify the measures that must be undertaken for enhancing home health care in Korea by comparing it to the home health care in Finland. The data were collected via a literature review, expert interview, and field survey in Kuopio, Eastern Finland, from March 16 to 23, 2018. Based on the comparison between Korean and Finnish home health care, some issues related to home health care in Korea that need to be resolved were identified: the complex process involved in availing home health care, low utilization rate, higher cost than home health aide services in long-term care, and undifferentiated roles in home health care between registered nurses and nurse assistants. Several strategies could be utilized to enhance home health care in Korea, such as a simplified procedure to use home health care, clarification of roles between registered nurses and nurse assistants in home care, supervision of the integration of home care services by registered nurses, and an expansion of home health care into comprehensive assessment and nursing activities for chronic illness care and health promotion.


1990 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-10
Author(s):  
Kate O'Neil ◽  
Leslie LaBelle ◽  
Caryn M. Bing

Home-care services have expanded greatly over the past several decades. Many pharmacy practitioners have little or no exposure to the vast majority of home-care programs. This article provides an overview of home health care services, traces the evolution of these programs and the public policy that has directed that change, and outlines the regulation governing the home-care industry. A synopsis of traditional and nontraditional home-care services precedes a brief review of other specialty services. A summary of the impact of quality management programs and some future trends for home care are presented.


2021 ◽  
pp. 108482232110013
Author(s):  
Tami M. Videon ◽  
Robert J. Rosati ◽  
Steven H. Landers

COVID-19 patients represent a new and distinct population in home health care. Little is known about health care utilization and incremental improvements in health for recovering COVID-19 patients after admission to home health care. Using a retrospective observational cohort study of 5452 episodes of home health care admitted to a New Jersey Home Health Agency between March 15 and May 31, 2020, this study describes COVID-19 Home Health Care (HHC) patients ( n = 842) and compare them to the general HHC population ( n = 4610). COVID HHC patients differ in significant ways from the typical HHC population. COVID patients were more likely to be 65 years of age and younger (41% vs 26%), be from a racial/ethnic minority (60% vs 31%), live with another person (85% vs 76%), have private insurance (28% vs 16%), and began HHC with greater independence in activities-of-daily-living (ADL/IADLs). COVID patients received fewer overall visits than their non-COVID counterparts (11.7 vs 16.3), although they had significantly more remote visits (1.7 vs 0.3). Multivariate analyses show that COVID patients early in the pandemic were 34% (CI, 28%-40%) less likely to be hospitalized and demonstrated significantly greater improvement in all the outcome measures examined compared to the general home health population.


Author(s):  
Jamie M. Smith ◽  
Haiqun Lin ◽  
Charlotte Thomas-Hawkins ◽  
Jennifer Tsui ◽  
Olga F. Jarrín

Older adults with diabetes are at elevated risk of complications following hospitalization. Home health care services mitigate the risk of adverse events and facilitate a safe transition home. In the United States, when home health care services are prescribed, federal guidelines require they begin within two days of hospital discharge. This study examined the association between timing of home health care initiation and 30-day rehospitalization outcomes in a cohort of 786,734 Medicare beneficiaries following a diabetes-related index hospitalization admission during 2015. Of these patients, 26.6% were discharged to home health care. To evaluate the association between timing of home health care initiation and 30-day rehospitalizations, multivariate logistic regression models including patient demographics, clinical and geographic variables, and neighborhood socioeconomic variables were used. Inverse probability-weighted propensity scores were incorporated into the analysis to account for potential confounding between the timing of home health care initiation and the outcome in the cohort. Compared to the patients who received home health care within the recommended first two days, the patients who received delayed services (3–7 days after discharge) had higher odds of rehospitalization (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.25–1.32). Among the patients who received late services (8–14 days after discharge), the odds of rehospitalization were four times greater than among the patients receiving services within two days (OR, 4.12; 95% CI, 3.97–4.28). Timely initiation of home health care following diabetes-related hospitalizations is one strategy to improve outcomes.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah B. Laditka ◽  
James N. Laditka ◽  
Carol B. Cornman ◽  
Courtney B. Davis ◽  
Maggi J. Chandlee

AbstractPurpose:The purpose of this study was to examine how agencies in South Carolina that provide in-home health care and personal care services help older and/or disabled clients to prepare for disasters.The study also examines how agencies safeguard clients' records, train staff, and how they could improve their preparedness.Methods:The relevant research and practice literature was reviewed. Nine public officials responsible for preparedness for in-home health care and personal care services in South Carolina were interviewed. A telephone survey instrument was developed that was based on these interviews and the literature review. Administrators from 16 agencies that provide in-home personal care to 2,147 clients, and five agencies that provide in-home health care to 2,180 clients, were interviewed. Grounded theory analysis identified major themes in the resulting qualitative data; thematic analysis organized the content.Results:Federal regulations require preparedness for agencies providing inhome health care (“home health”). No analogous regulations were found for in-home personal care. The degree of preparedness varied substantially among personal care agencies. Most personal care agencies were categorized as “less” prepared or “moderately” prepared. The findings for agencies in both categories generally suggest lack of preparedness in: (1) identifying clients at high risk and assisting them in planning; (2) providing written materials and/or recommendations; (3) protecting records; (4) educating staff and clients; and (5) coordinating disaster planning and response across agencies. Home health agencies were better prepared than were personal care agencies.However, some home health administrators commented that they were unsure how well their plans would work during a disaster, given a lack of training. The majority of home health agency administrators spoke of a need for better coordination and/or more preparedness training.Conclusions:Agencies providing personal care and home health services would benefit from developing stronger linkages with their local preparedness systems. The findings support incorporating disaster planning in the certification requirements for home health agencies, and developing additional educational resources for administrators and staff of personal care agencies and their clients.


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