Managing the care of patients discharged from home health: a quiet threat to patient safety?

Home Healthc Nurse. 2007 Mar;25(3):184-90. doi: 10.1097/01.NHH.0000263436.08062.85.

Abstract

Threats to patient safety can originate from the overuse or underuse of care, in addition to provider-initiated errors. The past decade has seen a dramatic decrease in the duration and volume of home health services provided per patient by Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs). Research findings have been mixed with respect to the impact of home health utilization on patient safety and outcomes. This study aimed to explore a related yet fundamental question: How confident are home health nurses that their patients can manage their care when discharged from home health services?

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aftercare / organization & administration
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Community Health Nursing / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Home Care Services / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical Errors / methods
  • Medical Errors / nursing
  • Medical Errors / prevention & control
  • Middle Aged
  • New Jersey
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Nursing Staff / education
  • Nursing Staff / psychology*
  • Patient Discharge*
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care
  • Risk Assessment
  • Safety Management / organization & administration*
  • Self Care