Examples of Skilled Need
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Skilled need for skilled home care can in rare instances be an ongoing process. It is most often a short-lived situation. It is always provided as intermittent visits and not as in-home shift care.
The able and willing caregiver will be taught the care as quickly as possible and skilled visits kept to a minimum. Skilled care may also be provided on a short term basis in lieu of hospitalization. Skilled home care is never custodial and is not intended to be a long term process.
Some of the more common skilled needs for home care, which demonstrate the medical necessity, include instruction and interventions for:
The able and willing caregiver will be taught the care as quickly as possible and skilled visits kept to a minimum. Skilled care may also be provided on a short term basis in lieu of hospitalization. Skilled home care is never custodial and is not intended to be a long term process.
Some of the more common skilled needs for home care, which demonstrate the medical necessity, include instruction and interventions for:
- wound care
- incision care
- drain care
- aftercare for surgery for reconditioning and restorative care
- aftercare for surgical AND non-surgical fracture repair
(i.e. ORIF or joint replacement) - anti-coagulant care, monitoring PT/INR, and teaching after surgery or accident
- post hospitalization care for disease process (i.e. pneumonia, sepsis, or other acute illness)
- instruction in new disease such as Diabetes or Heart Disease (including new/changed medications, diet, lifestyle changes, s/sx to report and treatment)
- symptom control (including Palliative Care) for pain, N/V, anxiety related to disease process and/or treatments such as chemo and radiation
- Foley catheter care and maintenance (monthly and PRN changes)
- instructing in G-tube care and feedings and may include changing depending on the type of tube
- IV antibiotics in lieu of hospitalization (including line and site care and instruction in managing pumps)
- home safety (including evaluation for DME, grab bars, clutter, ADL and IADL training, etc.)
- home exercise program for safety, strengthening and/or post injury, illness or surgical care
- oxygen safety
- energy conservation instruction
- training new caregivers in specific skilled care as well as general pt care and safety precautions (i.e. using a new hoyer lift, care of a bedbound patient, diabetic care, etc.)