Rising to the challenge of home health care

The managed care concept has had a major impact on most health care delivery systems (from the hospital to home) and the professional practice of the people within those systems. It is important that all types of providers who are involved in an individual's care have a basic understanding of the challenges they each face. Sharing information may contribute to a more efficient transfer of the client's care from one provider to another and improve continuity of care and cost containment. This article presents some of the challenges that the Visiting Nurse Association of Chicago (VNAC), a home care provider, has faced as a participant in managed care.