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How Patient Risks Sabotage the Home Health Admission

OASIS Has 132 Questions. 44 Are Patient Risk Factors.

Medicare places great importance on managing risk factors. 

There are 132 questions on OASIS E1 Start of Care and 44 (33%) are risk factor questions. Since the original version released in 1998, the majority of the OASIS assessment...

Posted by Melissa Cott on May 27, 2025

The #1 Most Important Question to Answer on the Admission Visit

The primary role of the home health provider is to teach the patient/caregiver how to manage her/his own medical and functional needs. A successful discharge means the patient/caregiver is able to recall and/or demonstrate all the preventive care needed to maintain medical and...

Posted by Melissa Cott on May 12, 2025

5 Procedures Every Patient Should Practice...Regardless of Diagnosis

To receive home health benefits patients typically must be homebound – unable to leave the home without assistance. Being homebound can exacerbate already-present conditions: shortness of breath, mobility limitations and skin breakdown to name a few. All patients should be taught the...

Posted by Melissa Cott on May 6, 2025

Rule #3 for Preventing Re-Hospitalization? Retire the Answering Machine.

Medicare rewards HHAs for LOW hospitalization rates, and punishes HHAs with high rates. For Medicare (and all payers for that matter), re-hospitalizations imply substandard care.

Posted by Melissa Cott on Jun 11, 2024

Rule #2 for Preventing Re-Hospitalization? Prepare Patient for Exacerbations.

Medicare charges hefty financial penalties to providers who send patients back to the hospital after a recent hospital admission. 

Posted by Melissa Cott on Jun 4, 2024

Rule #1 for Preventing Re-Hospitalization? There's Someone to Teach.

Preventing re-hospitalization is a critical goal for healthcare systems worldwide, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary healthcare costs. Central to achieving this objective is the presence of knowledgeable individuals who can effectively educate patients about...

Posted by Melissa Cott on May 21, 2024