Related Experiment Videos
Home care utilization by congestive heart failure patients: a pilot study
M A Anderson1, R A Pena, L B Helms
1University of Illinois College of Nursing, Quad Regional Program, Rock Island 63201, USA.
Public Health Nursing (Boston, Mass.)
|May 2, 1998
Summary
Home health care agencies face new Medicare payment systems. This study profiled congestive heart failure (CHF) patients
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Services Research
- Nursing
Background:
- Home health care costs are rising, prompting Medicare to introduce new payment systems.
- A prospective payment system will replace the current per-visit rate for home care agencies.
- Agencies must optimize efficiency and patient care to succeed under new reimbursement models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish resource utilization norms for congestive heart failure (CHF) patients.
- To analyze patient characteristics and resource consumption within a home health agency (HHA).
Main Methods:
- Descriptive study analyzing 40 retrospectively reviewed home health agency records.
- Utilized the Resource Utilization Inventory to collect data on patient characteristics and resource use.
- Focused on patients admitted and discharged from a not-for-profit HHA.
Main Results:
- Congestive heart failure patients were older, with multiple chronic conditions, often requiring caregivers.
- Most patients needed skilled nursing or home health aide visits post-hospitalization for CHF.
- Less than half of the patients were discharged as improved; many transitioned to other facilities.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide baseline data for understanding CHF patient resource utilization in home care.
- This information is crucial for developing accurate prospective reimbursement rates.
- Highlights the complex needs and outcomes of CHF patients in home health settings.