Hospital Home Health Archives – July 1, 2005
July 1, 2005
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Protect employees from violence and injury to reduce liability
Listen to employees who express fear or worry (Editors note: This is the second of a two-part article on employee safety in home care. Last months article addressed a comprehensive safety program implemented by an agency in Cincinnati to address violence toward nurses. This month, the liability issues associated with employee safety are examined.) -
JCAHO announces 2006 patient safety goals
Encourage caregivers to report safety concerns Not only should home care staff members be alert to patient safety concerns, they also should make sure family members and other caregivers are able to report safety concerns to agency staff members, according to the new goal set for home care agencies in the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations 2006 National Patient Safety Goals. The goal states that agencies should encourage the active involvement of patients and their families in the patients care as a patient safety strategy. -
The problems with billing for free supplies
By Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq. Burtonsville, MD Providers are under increasing pressure to be as cost-effective as possible. At the same time, free samples of products, some of which are relatively expensive, are still readily available. -
Consider how caregiving affects hospice families
New burden at stressful time causes problems One of the major challenges of providing hospice care is working with caregivers who typically have received no training in the role. -
Tai chi for fall prevention among the elderly
Effective, low-impact method to reduce falls By Dónal P. OMathúna, PhD Lecturer in Health Care Ethics School of Nursing Dublin City University Ireland Falls are the leading cause of injury, death, and disability among the elderly (those older than 65 years).1 -
CMS proposes CoPs to improve hospice care
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed new conditions of participation (CoP) for hospices that will ease the regulatory burden for hospice providers and improve the quality of care for all hospice patients. -
How to discontinue services and avoid abandonment
If you must discontinue services to a patient because of safety concerns, be sure you do so in a manner that doesnt leave you liable for abandonment, says Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq., a Burtonsville, MD, attorney. -
2006 Patient Safety Goals
The following goals and requirements were developed for home health care but may not apply to all areas of home health, says Maryanne L. Popovich, RN, MPH, executive director of the Joint Commissions Home Care Accreditation Program.