Home health services in a climate of cost containment

A survey of medicare certified agencies in the Northwest Region conducted to identify clinical problems of patients and families resulting from early discharge from hospitals revealed many concerns related to health care delivery. Major areas of concern were: Home Care and Community Services; Reimbursement and Funding; Rules and Regulations; Continuity of Care; Quality of Care; and Legal and Ethical Issues. Specific problems in each of the categories are discussed and strategies that home health agencies may utilize in addressing these areas are presented.