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Registered Nurse Consultations/Assessments Referrals are usually received directly from the patient’s physician or hospital discharge planners. Referrals are also received from family members, pastors, parish nurses, public health departments, social service departments, trust officers, and other community entities. Upon receipt of a referral, the R.N. makes an appointment to meet with the prospective client in their home in order to discuss their current needs and to perform a comprehensive assessment. All aspects of the individual’s past and current health status are considered including medical history, medication profile, current complaint/diagnoses, physical assessment, functional status, psychosocial concerns, family concerns, and environmental/safety/economic issues. In addition, the nurse will assess what educational needs there may be and initiates a health teaching plan to assist the client and family in understanding the illness/injury and management of the recovery process in order to achieve the best outcomes possible. The home health nurse consults with the client to determine what other community resources may be appropriate for them and initiates referrals and facilitates access to these resources on their behalf. Often once the nurse has been able to interact with a client and their family in the home, other needs become evident in addition to the primary purpose for the initial referral. These are noted during the comprehensive assessment and incorporated into an individualized plan of care developed for that home care client. |
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Home Health - Agency & Practice Management - Respiratory & Medical Equipment - Residential Services
