scholarly journals An Exploratory Analysis of Patient-Provider Language-Concordant Home Health Care Visit Patterns

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.

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.


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.


1987 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Fox ◽  
Kathleen S. Andersen ◽  
A. E. Benjamin ◽  
Linda J. Dunatov

AbstractThis paper assesses the impact of mechanisms for financing intensive home health care services in the United States on their utilization. As lengths of stay have decreased in response to prospective payment methods for hospitals, demand has increased for intensive and complex services provided to patients in the home. Third-party payers, however, are willing to satisfy only some of this potential demand that their reimbursement policies have generated. It is the policies of payers rather than the safety and effectiveness of devices and procedures that are the major constraints on the expansion of intensive home health care. We describe the effects of these policies on who receives intensive home health care services, who provides them, what services are provided, how their quality is monitored, and what they cost.


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.


1993 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela J. Salsberry ◽  
Jennie T. Nickel ◽  
Muriel O'Connell ◽  
Nancy R. Reynolds ◽  
Diana L. Brady ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Guillermina R. Solis ◽  
Jane Dimmitt Champion

Introduction: Unintentional falls and injuries is a major problem among older adults and the fourth cause of death in the United States. A previous fall event doubles the risk of recurrence and lessens the person’s quality of life. Hispanic older adults have higher rates of disability and lower independent functioning due to poor medical health and risk for fall recurrence. Most fall studies focus on fall risk with few studies on fall recurrence in older adults receiving home health care services unrelated to fall incident. Method: A descriptive pilot study of 30 homebound Hispanic older adults receiving home care services who reported a fall within 3 months was conducted by a multidisciplinary team to evaluate risk of fall recurrence. Results: A heightened risk for fall recurrence was identified with high number of chronic illnesses, high intake of medications, vision problems, and prevalence of urinary incontinence. Conclusion: Findings highlight significant number of intrinsic factors for fall risk recurrence and injuries in a Hispanic older adults population that is homebound and receiving home care services. A multidisciplinary evaluation and culturally appropriate interventions to lessen the risk of fall recurrence are recommended.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document