Hospital Home Health Archives – January 1, 2004
January 1, 2004
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Industry experts look into the crystal ball for 2004 home health predictions
Hospital Home Health begins the year with a look at the challenges that will be faced by home health managers in 2004. This months cover story introduces a few of the key issues addressed by this new legislation. Next month, we will discuss other demonstration projects included in HR 1, such as the homebound definition, collaboration with adult day care, reimbursement based upon performance, and employee background checks. -
Surveyors focus on safety issues and documentation
Compliance with the National Patient Safety Goals top the list of items that Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations surveyors examine, according to home health managers who recently have undergone accreditation surveys. -
JCAHO focuses on home health patient safety goals
Since January 2003, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires that all accredited home care organizations implement recommendations associated with National Patient Safety Goals that are relevant to the services the agency provides. Compliance with the goals will be evaluated during all unannounced and regularly scheduled surveys. -
PPR options developed by Joint Commission
Even before the new survey process goes into effect, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has created options to the self-assessment portion of the survey. -
Do hospitals offer choice of home care services?
Discharge planners at some facilities apparently are either unaware of or are ignoring a federal requirement that hospitals offer patients a choice of home care providers and that they tell patients when there is a financial interest between the hospital and an agency to which the patient is being referred. -
Temp worker’s mistake costs a life and $800,000
Swallowing difficulties are complications in many diseases and conditions and are a recognized potential problem in the elderly, especially those with Parkinsons disease. Health care providers must be aware of these dangers of choking, learn methods to minimize them, and be prepared to intervene when choking occurs, regardless of the setting. -
LegalEase - Providers have recourse when MCOs don’t pay
Home care providers and patients remain concerned about the decisions that managed care organizations (MCOs) and other payers make about whether to pay for care.