Information needs in home care: a review and analysis

Before prospective payment can be implemented in home care, providers and administrators in home care agencies require information in a variety of areas. This article reviews the literature on several factors likely to influence the market for home care services, including hospital use trends, the response to diagnosis-related groups by home care agencies, proposed reimbursement patterns, patient disease and demographic profiles, and patient needs. Research must be conducted in several areas before prospective payment can be implemented in home care.