AT HOME CARE

How Often Patients Got Better at Walking or Moving Around.

Some patients may need help from a person or equipment (like a cane) to walk safely. If they use a wheelchair, they may have difficulty moving around safely. Getting better at walking or moving around in a wheelchair may be a sign that they are making progress and meeting the goals of the plan of care. In order to be as independent as possible, patients should be encouraged to walk, move around, and do as much as they can themselves, even if it takes more time. Both the home health team and family caregivers should encourage patients to be as active as they can safely. The home health team will evaluate patients' needs for, and teach patients how to use, any special devices or equipment that will help increase their ability to perform some activities without help.

How Often Patients Got Better at Getting in and out of Bed.

A patient's ability to get in and out of bed by himself/herself is a first step toward doing many other things like getting dressed or getting to the toilet. This is especially important if family caregivers aren't available to help when home health care ends. The home health team and informal caregivers should encourage patients to do as much as they can for themselves. Patients who can get in and out of bed with little help may be more independent, feel better about themselves, and stay more active. The home health team evaluates patients' needs for, and teaches patients how to use, any special devices or equipment that may increase their ability to perform some activities without the assistance of another person.

How Often Patients Got Better at Bathing.

Being able to bathe is an important element in patients' ability to be more independent, stay clean, stay healthy, and feel good about themselves. However, there are certain physical abilities (motor skills) required to take a bath (or shower). Patients may need help from a person or special equipment in order to bathe. A patient's physical abilities can be developed or maintained by managing medical symptoms or through physical or occupational therapy. Getting better at bathing may mean that less assistance is needed to bathe or that assistive equipment is needed to bathe independently. Both can be signs that the patient is making progress and meeting the goals of the plan of care . The home health team and family caregivers should encourage patients to do as much for themselves as they can, even if this takes more time. The home health team evaluates patients' needs for, and teaches patients how to use, any special devices or equipment that may needed. Being able to perform activities like bathing independently is especially important if there are no informal caregivers who can help when home health care ends. If a patient stops taking care of himself/herself, this may mean that the patient's health has gotten worse. Some patients will lose function in their basic daily activities even though the home health team provides good care.

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients for Pain.

Treating a patient's pain is an important part of the home health plan of care . When home health care starts, the home health team should always ask patients about their pain, so that the team can plan the best ways to treat the pain and keep the patients as comfortable as possible.

How Often the Home Health Team Treated Their Patients' Pain.

Pain keeps patients from being active and hurts their overall health. Treating pain helps keep patients comfortable and helps their recovery.

How Often the Home Health Team Treated Heart Failure (Weakening of the Heart) Patients' Symptoms.

Heart failure is a weakening of the heart's pumping power. Heart failure patients who are receiving home health care may have symptoms of worsening heart failure like trouble breathing; swelling of the legs, ankles, or abdomen; dizziness; fatigue; weakness; cold or clammy skin and/or a fast heart beat. If the patient has these symptoms, the home health care team should contact the patient's doctor and carry out doctor's orders to treat the symptoms. The team should also teach the patient and his/her caregivers about heart failure, ways to prevent these symptoms, and when to call the home health team. Some patients may not improve, or may get worse, even though the home health team provides good care.

How Often Patients Had Less Pain when Moving Around

Pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions and may be a sign of a new or worsening health problem. Pain also leads to depression, anxiety, and a lower quality of life. If pain isn't treated, performing daily activities such as getting out of bed can become more difficult. Some patients' pain may not improve, or may get worse, even though the home health team provides good care.

How Often the Home Health Team Took Doctor-Ordered Action to Prevent Pressure Sores (Bed Sores).

This tells you how often the home health team, included in the plan of care , ways to prevent pressure sores (bed sores) for patients at risk for developing them. Patients who receive home health care can avoid getting pressure sores (bed sores) when the home health team takes steps to prevent them. The home health team can teach the patient or caregiver ways to avoid pressure sores, such as:

How Often the Home Health Team Included Treatments to Prevent Pressure Sores (Bed Sores) in the Plan of Care.

This shows how often the home health team got doctor's orders that included treatments to prevent pressure sores (bed sores) and provided those treatments to the patient. Patients who receive home health care can avoid getting pressure sores (bed sores) when the home health team takes steps to prevent them. The home health team can teach the patient or caregiver ways to avoid pressure sores, such as:

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients for the Risk of Developing Pressure Sores (Bed Sores).

Some patients who get home health care are at greater risk of developing pressure sores (bed sores) because they are confined to bed, have problems moving around, don't eat a healthy diet, or have trouble controlling their bladder or bowels. By finding out if the patient is at risk for pressure sores (bed sores) as soon as care begins, the home health team can teach the patient or caregiver ways to avoid pressure sores, such as:

How Often Patients' Wounds Improved or Healed After an Operation.

One way to measure the quality of care that home health agencies give is to look at how well their patients' wounds heal after an operation. Patients whose wounds heal normally generally feel better and can get back to their daily activities sooner than those whose wounds don't heal normally. The home health team can assist with wound healing in several ways:

How Often the Home Health Team Began Their Patients' Care in a Timely Manner.

It is important for patients to get the home health care they need, when they need it. If home health care is delayed, the patient's condition could worsen.

How Often the Home Health Team Taught Patients (Or Their Family Caregivers) About Their Drugs.

When patients understand how their drugs work, they're more likely to take them correctly, and less likely to make a mistake that may cause harm.

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients' Risk of Falling.

Falls can seriously affect the health of an older person. By checking older people and their homes for things that could increase the chances of falling, the home health team can suggest ways to prevent falls and help keep patients safe.

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients for Depression.

When patients who may be depressed get the help they need, it helps their recovery and may improve their overall health.

How Often the Home Health Team Determined Whether Patients Received a Flu Shot for the Current Flu Season.

Home health patients may be in danger of getting very sick from the flu because they already have a medical condition that may affect their ability to fight the flu. A yearly flu shot is an important way to keep from getting the flu.

How Often the Home Health Team Determined Whether Their Patients Received a Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumonia Shot).

Home health patients may be in danger of getting very sick from pneumonia, a serious lung infection, because they already have a medical condition that may affect their ability to fight pneumonia. A pneumonia vaccine may help prevent some types of pneumonia.

For Patients with Diabetes, How Often the Home Health Team Got Doctor's Orders, Gave Foot Care, and Taught Patients About Foot Care.

Patients with diabetes are at greater risk of having problems with the blood circulation in their feet and therefore need regular foot care. Even a small problem like a cut or a blister can lead to serious health problems, including having to remove a toe or the foot (amputation). Regular foot care helps prevent these problems and keeps patients with diabetes healthy.

How Often Patients Got Better at Taking Their Drugs Correctly by Mouth.

For drugs to work properly, they need to be taken correctly. Taking too much or too little can keep the drugs from working properly and could cause unintended harm including death.The home health team can help teach ways to organize drugs and to take them properly. Getting better at taking drugs correctly means the home health team is doing a good job teaching patients how to take their drugs and about the harm that can occur if they don't follow these instructions. Communication among the patient, doctor, and the home health team is important. Specific items that should be discussed include:

How Often Patients Receiving Home Health Care Needed Any Urgent, Unplanned Care in the Hospital Emergency Room - Without Being Admitted to the Hospital.

The home health team develops and carries out a plan of care for each patient. The plan of care is designed to help prevent medical emergencies. In many cases, a call to the home health team or a visit from them can prevent a visit to the emergency room. Some patients may need to go to the emergency room even though the home health team provides good care. Lower numbers are better for this measure.

How Often Home Health Patients Had to Be Admitted to the Hospital

Some home health patients may need to be admitted to the hospital, even if they are getting good care. For example, some chronic medical conditions can't be cured and, over time, may make a patient's health worse. For some patients, a readmission to the hospital may be a planned part of continuing treatment for their medical conditions. However, some inpatient hospital care may be avoided if the home health team is doing a good job checking the patient at each visit to find problems early, and communicating regularly with the doctor and other members of the team about the patient's condition. The home health team should check how the patient is eating, drinking, how well they are taking their prescription and other drugs, and how safe the home environment is. If the patient shows signs of getting worse, the home health team should notify the doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, the doctor will want to see patient or have the patient go to an urgent care facility or a hospital. Lower numbers are better for this measure, because the home health team, in many instances, can prevent the need for hospital care. At the same time, the home health team should ensure that patients who need hospital care are hospitalized as soon as possible. Lower numbers are better for this measure.

How Often Patients Got Better at Walking or Moving Around.

Some patients may need help from a person or equipment (like a cane) to walk safely. If they use a wheelchair, they may have difficulty moving around safely. Getting better at walking or moving around in a wheelchair may be a sign that they are making progress and meeting the goals of the plan of care. In order to be as independent as possible, patients should be encouraged to walk, move around, and do as much as they can themselves, even if it takes more time. Both the home health team and family caregivers should encourage patients to be as active as they can safely. The home health team will evaluate patients' needs for, and teach patients how to use, any special devices or equipment that will help increase their ability to perform some activities without help.

How Often Patients Got Better at Getting in and out of Bed.

A patient's ability to get in and out of bed by himself/herself is a first step toward doing many other things like getting dressed or getting to the toilet. This is especially important if family caregivers aren't available to help when home health care ends. The home health team and informal caregivers should encourage patients to do as much as they can for themselves. Patients who can get in and out of bed with little help may be more independent, feel better about themselves, and stay more active. The home health team evaluates patients' needs for, and teaches patients how to use, any special devices or equipment that may increase their ability to perform some activities without the assistance of another person.

How Often Patients Got Better at Bathing.

Being able to bathe is an important element in patients' ability to be more independent, stay clean, stay healthy, and feel good about themselves. However, there are certain physical abilities (motor skills) required to take a bath (or shower). Patients may need help from a person or special equipment in order to bathe. A patient's physical abilities can be developed or maintained by managing medical symptoms or through physical or occupational therapy. Getting better at bathing may mean that less assistance is needed to bathe or that assistive equipment is needed to bathe independently. Both can be signs that the patient is making progress and meeting the goals of the plan of care . The home health team and family caregivers should encourage patients to do as much for themselves as they can, even if this takes more time. The home health team evaluates patients' needs for, and teaches patients how to use, any special devices or equipment that may needed. Being able to perform activities like bathing independently is especially important if there are no informal caregivers who can help when home health care ends. If a patient stops taking care of himself/herself, this may mean that the patient's health has gotten worse. Some patients will lose function in their basic daily activities even though the home health team provides good care.

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients for Pain.

Treating a patient's pain is an important part of the home health plan of care . When home health care starts, the home health team should always ask patients about their pain, so that the team can plan the best ways to treat the pain and keep the patients as comfortable as possible.

How Often the Home Health Team Treated Their Patients' Pain.

Pain keeps patients from being active and hurts their overall health. Treating pain helps keep patients comfortable and helps their recovery.

How Often the Home Health Team Treated Heart Failure (Weakening of the Heart) Patients' Symptoms.

Heart failure is a weakening of the heart's pumping power. Heart failure patients who are receiving home health care may have symptoms of worsening heart failure like trouble breathing; swelling of the legs, ankles, or abdomen; dizziness; fatigue; weakness; cold or clammy skin and/or a fast heart beat. If the patient has these symptoms, the home health care team should contact the patient's doctor and carry out doctor's orders to treat the symptoms. The team should also teach the patient and his/her caregivers about heart failure, ways to prevent these symptoms, and when to call the home health team. Some patients may not improve, or may get worse, even though the home health team provides good care.

How Often Patients Had Less Pain when Moving Around

Pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions and may be a sign of a new or worsening health problem. Pain also leads to depression, anxiety, and a lower quality of life. If pain isn't treated, performing daily activities such as getting out of bed can become more difficult. Some patients' pain may not improve, or may get worse, even though the home health team provides good care.

How Often the Home Health Team Took Doctor-Ordered Action to Prevent Pressure Sores (Bed Sores).

This tells you how often the home health team, included in the plan of care , ways to prevent pressure sores (bed sores) for patients at risk for developing them. Patients who receive home health care can avoid getting pressure sores (bed sores) when the home health team takes steps to prevent them. The home health team can teach the patient or caregiver ways to avoid pressure sores, such as:

How Often the Home Health Team Included Treatments to Prevent Pressure Sores (Bed Sores) in the Plan of Care.

This shows how often the home health team got doctor's orders that included treatments to prevent pressure sores (bed sores) and provided those treatments to the patient. Patients who receive home health care can avoid getting pressure sores (bed sores) when the home health team takes steps to prevent them. The home health team can teach the patient or caregiver ways to avoid pressure sores, such as:

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients for the Risk of Developing Pressure Sores (Bed Sores).

Some patients who get home health care are at greater risk of developing pressure sores (bed sores) because they are confined to bed, have problems moving around, don't eat a healthy diet, or have trouble controlling their bladder or bowels. By finding out if the patient is at risk for pressure sores (bed sores) as soon as care begins, the home health team can teach the patient or caregiver ways to avoid pressure sores, such as:

How Often Patients' Wounds Improved or Healed After an Operation.

One way to measure the quality of care that home health agencies give is to look at how well their patients' wounds heal after an operation. Patients whose wounds heal normally generally feel better and can get back to their daily activities sooner than those whose wounds don't heal normally. The home health team can assist with wound healing in several ways:

How Often the Home Health Team Began Their Patients' Care in a Timely Manner.

It is important for patients to get the home health care they need, when they need it. If home health care is delayed, the patient's condition could worsen.

How Often the Home Health Team Taught Patients (Or Their Family Caregivers) About Their Drugs.

When patients understand how their drugs work, they're more likely to take them correctly, and less likely to make a mistake that may cause harm.

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients' Risk of Falling.

Falls can seriously affect the health of an older person. By checking older people and their homes for things that could increase the chances of falling, the home health team can suggest ways to prevent falls and help keep patients safe.

How Often the Home Health Team Checked Patients for Depression.

When patients who may be depressed get the help they need, it helps their recovery and may improve their overall health.

How Often the Home Health Team Determined Whether Patients Received a Flu Shot for the Current Flu Season.

Home health patients may be in danger of getting very sick from the flu because they already have a medical condition that may affect their ability to fight the flu. A yearly flu shot is an important way to keep from getting the flu.

How Often the Home Health Team Determined Whether Their Patients Received a Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumonia Shot).

Home health patients may be in danger of getting very sick from pneumonia, a serious lung infection, because they already have a medical condition that may affect their ability to fight pneumonia. A pneumonia vaccine may help prevent some types of pneumonia.

For Patients with Diabetes, How Often the Home Health Team Got Doctor's Orders, Gave Foot Care, and Taught Patients About Foot Care.

Patients with diabetes are at greater risk of having problems with the blood circulation in their feet and therefore need regular foot care. Even a small problem like a cut or a blister can lead to serious health problems, including having to remove a toe or the foot (amputation). Regular foot care helps prevent these problems and keeps patients with diabetes healthy.

How Often Patients Got Better at Taking Their Drugs Correctly by Mouth.

For drugs to work properly, they need to be taken correctly. Taking too much or too little can keep the drugs from working properly and could cause unintended harm including death.The home health team can help teach ways to organize drugs and to take them properly. Getting better at taking drugs correctly means the home health team is doing a good job teaching patients how to take their drugs and about the harm that can occur if they don't follow these instructions. Communication among the patient, doctor, and the home health team is important. Specific items that should be discussed include:

How Often Patients Receiving Home Health Care Needed Any Urgent, Unplanned Care in the Hospital Emergency Room - Without Being Admitted to the Hospital.

The home health team develops and carries out a plan of care for each patient. The plan of care is designed to help prevent medical emergencies. In many cases, a call to the home health team or a visit from them can prevent a visit to the emergency room. Some patients may need to go to the emergency room even though the home health team provides good care. Lower numbers are better for this measure.

How Often Home Health Patients Had to Be Admitted to the Hospital

Some home health patients may need to be admitted to the hospital, even if they are getting good care. For example, some chronic medical conditions can't be cured and, over time, may make a patient's health worse. For some patients, a readmission to the hospital may be a planned part of continuing treatment for their medical conditions. However, some inpatient hospital care may be avoided if the home health team is doing a good job checking the patient at each visit to find problems early, and communicating regularly with the doctor and other members of the team about the patient's condition. The home health team should check how the patient is eating, drinking, how well they are taking their prescription and other drugs, and how safe the home environment is. If the patient shows signs of getting worse, the home health team should notify the doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, the doctor will want to see patient or have the patient go to an urgent care facility or a hospital. Lower numbers are better for this measure, because the home health team, in many instances, can prevent the need for hospital care. At the same time, the home health team should ensure that patients who need hospital care are hospitalized as soon as possible. Lower numbers are better for this measure.