HANDBOOK OF HOME HEALTH ORIENTATION is a practical, easy-to-use guide to essential information covered in virtually every home health agency's orientation program. Home health agencies will find this handbook a current, consistent, convenient way to ensure that all new staff members receive and understand basic information. This reference presents the various regulatory and clinical information needed for effective care planning, evaluation, and reimbursement. Medicare standards, guidelines for the completion of the HCFA-485 form, and updated OASIS-B form are included. Home health managers and educators may partner this handbook with the accompanying Manual of Home Health Practice. Offers an up-to-date, authoritative guide to the basics of home care that all home health staff members are expected to master. Designs content functionally, covering the essentials of client care, from home care admission to discharge. Explains the unique aspects of home health nursing, since home health introduces different expectations and requirements than in the hospital setting (e.

g., creating a sterile environment within each home entered). Identifies special patient populationspsychiatric, cardiac, wound, oncologic, maternal-child, pediatric, hospice, and intravenous care to give users information about populations likely to be seen in the home environment. Includes the updated OASIS-B form in Appendix A to provide the most current home health information guideline. Explains Medicare standards; patient examples accompany this section so that users fully understand the expectations and have a sample to follow in their own practice. Provides instructions for the step-by-step completion of a HCFA-485 form to help users easily and completely fill out these often complicated forms. Explains the admissions and referral processes in home care, so users learn the proper procedures to follow and necessary forms to complete. Outlines key aspects of documentation provided for easy referral and guidance.

Emphasizes outcome-focused care throughout the text, so users learn to set appropriate patient goals, create a plan to achieve these goals, and effectively fulfill the goals. Explains important safety considerations in home care (e.g., disposal of sharps, driving safety). Describes roles of each member of the home health team, so multidisciplinary teams can function more effectively. Provides a glossary with key words and definitions with which home care providers should be familiar. Handbook format is ideal for easy retrieval of information; small size makes it easy to carry. May be accompanied by MANUAL OF HOME HEALTH PRACTICE: GUIDANCE FOR EFFECTIVE CLINICAL OPERATIONS.