Hospital Home Health Archives – February 1, 2004
February 1, 2004
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What causes more than 40% of home care sentinel events? Answer: Fire
Your nurses teach patients how to administer their medications, check their blood sugars, use their oxygen, care for their wounds, and in general, take care of themselves as they deal with their illness or condition. Your nurses also review the safety of the home environment, but how well are they protecting your patients from the risks of fire? -
Small steps and realistic goals control diabetes
Helping your diabetic patient stabilize blood sugar levels and improve control of the disease doesnt necessarily mean new medications, significant weight loss, or a major change in their lifestyle, according to experts interviewed by Hospital Home Health. -
HIPAA Q&A
This column addresses specific questions related to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) implementation. -
Impact of new legislation continues for home health
This second of a two-part article looking at the challenges faced by home health managers describes demonstration projects included in HR 1 that affect the home health industry. -
End-of-life caregivers often don’t get support
In teaching health care providers how to care for patients at the end of life, many institutions forget to teach the providers that they need to care for themselves as well. -
Pain-relief measures take root nationwide
Attorneys general should play a role in advising state agencies and educating others about how laws and policies related to end-of-life care should be enforced, especially if they seem to be at odds with patient rights. The most salient example of this conflict has been the ongoing battle between end-of-life care advocates and law enforcement agencies. -
Legal Ease: Ethics of discontinuing home health services
One of the most common dilemmas faced by home care staff occurs when patients refuse transfer to a nursing home. A careful review of this issue from an ethical point of view should include examination of three principles: autonomy, justice, and beneficence/nonbeneficence. -
News Briefs
New tool evaluates care options for seniors; JCAHO modifies patient safety goals