Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H Dittbrenner.
From a business perspective, pediatric home care looks like a successful line of service. It is a growing specialty that generates consistent profits. Agencies thinking of moving in this direction, however, need to know what they might be getting into.
The American Academy of Pediatricians advocates that mothers breastfeed their infants for a full year. Home care providers can get involved by having skilled nurses visit soon after mothers and babies get home or by providing services such as lactation consultants or doulas.
Providers and parents are often frustrated by payors' denials of coverage for reasons such as "medically inappropriate" or "no skilled care necessary." Though the battles may seem insurmountable, recourse is available--and the successes are worth the legal battles.
People with disabilities need home care to help them leave their homes; if they actually leave, however, HCFA now says they are no longer homebound and don't qualify for home care under Medicare. Many policymakers and legislators believe that the Medicare home health benefit was intended originally to be a post-acute benefit; however, current law does not support that attitude.
Patients with diabetes must take responsibility of self-care, including glucose monitoring, exercise, and dietary planning. Although these self-care regimes eventually become second nature, the newly diagnosed patient needs extra support and information to lessen the shock of being forced to adapt to an altered lifestyle. At the onset of diabetes, home care providers can be an invaluable resource.
Countries all over the world are facing an increasing demand for home care services. Home Care in Europe: A Country-Specific Guide to Its Organization and Financing assesses European countries' home care in terms of funding, staffing, and organization and covers both home nursing and home helps and how the two work together to provide home care in Europe.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Last year the Health Care Financing Administration announced an exciting program: the HCFA Home Health Initiative, which provided the home care industry an opportunity to contribute to changes in the way Medicare operates. For a year the Initiative pushed forward with goals and meetings. The newly elected members of Congress, however, have revealed many plans for cutting back on spending as well as government regulation. What does that mean for the Initiative and the Medicare home health benefit?
Psychiatric home care provides a vital service to those who need it, yet it is largely unregulated and underfunded. The growing patient preference for home care, however, ensures a bright future for this specialty.
Health care reform will affect every home care agency--that much is certain. One way agencies can brace themselves for the coming winds of change is through diversifying their services.
Trinity School in Manhattan has instituted an award for high school students who exhibit dedication in the field of aging. Trinity presented the award to an energetic, articulate, cheerful young woman who has gone beyond the expected and made a close friend through her community service.
Alzheimer's disease affects one in 10 families in the United States; unless an intervention is found, millions more will be afflicted. Research is beginning to unveil the way the disease works and what causes it, leading to a glimmer of hope for future treatments. But understanding must come first.
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The concept of computerized patient record systems is becoming increasingly popular in the home care field. What are the possibilities as caring is linked with computers in the age of automation?