Using home health agencies to meet patient needs in phase III recovery

Today third-party payers determine the types of surgical procedures that must be done on an ambulatory basis. After such surgical procedures, most patients are able to be discharged home for phase III recovery (the postdischarge period of recuperation), where they usually have adequate support systems. For a variety of reasons many patients need professional, assisted care in phase III recovery. Such care often is provided by home health agency personnel. Nurses in ambulatory surgery units need to recognize which patients need assisted care, understand how patients qualify for care, know what types of services are available and who provides the care, understand how the expenses are covered, and know how to access the system. By identifying and helping meet patients' and families' needs, nurses facilitate recovery, help alleviate anxiety, and work to reduce health care costs.