Home health care and burn care: an educational and economical program

Changes in health care reimbursement have challenged providers of health care to work smarter instead of harder, with more efficient and effective use of resources. Patients with burn injuries remain hospitalized for dressing changes that could be completed in the home environment by health care professionals. An early discharge for a select group of patients from a resource-intensive hospital stay to a quality, cost-effective home care program was achieved. An educational program was developed to provide home care nurses the necessary knowledge and skill to care for the patient with burn injuries at home. This program combines didactic classroom lectures with a clinical orientation for home care registered nurses. The outcome for patients is a well-integrated continuity of care with a decreased length of hospital stay.