This lesson on Infusion Therapy includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: List two reasons for infusion therapy Identify three observations that home health aides should report, and Distinguish between tunneled or implanted catheters and peripherally inserted infusion lines. OVERVIEW The frequency of home infusion therapy has increased substantially in the past 25 years. Not only is it more comfortable for patients; home infusion therapy is less costly than hospital-based infusion therapy. While infusion therapy usually is more commonly provided for a short duration, some patients receive long-term therapy. Patients with end-stage heart failure may receive dobutamine intravenously for the rest of their lives, or while awaiting cardiac transplantation. Some patients may receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for very long periods of time. While home health aides are not directly involved in providing the infusion therapy, they do need to know about the different types of home infusions that may be provided. Aides will visit patients with a variety of venous access devices, and it is important for them to have a basic understanding of the differences between the devices. The purpose of this in-service is to provide basic information about infusion therapy.

This lesson on Therapy Patients includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Discuss the different types of therapy home health patients may receive Explain three ways to support a therapy plan of care, and State three reasons a patient might receive therapy services OVERVIEW A rehabilitation program in the home may require the skills of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. However, a patient's care doesn't stop with the therapists. Home health aides are dedicated to supporting a program's daily requirements. They offer encouragement that can be a determining factor in the patient's recovery. Observing, documenting, and reporting even the slightest change in a patient's health can have a significant impact on a patient's therapy plan. This in-service focuses on the role of the home health aide when working with therapy patients. It looks at the different therapies prescribed for patients suffering from common diseases and injuries. It also offers examples of how home health aides carry out portions of the therapy program as directed by the therapists. Finally, it emphasizes the home health aide's role as being instrumental in helping a therapy patient reach his or her full potential and recovery.

This lesson on Dealing with an Angry Patient includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year.

Effective documentation demonstrates that care was coordinated between team members involved in the plan of care, it supports the payment the agency receives for providing home health services to the patient, and it serves as legal proof that a visit was made. Poor documentation can result in costly survey citations and lost revenue for the agency. It can also lead to medical errors that can be life-threatening to patients and career-ending for clinicians. This lesson focuses on requirements and guidelines for accurate and complete electronic and handwritten home health aide documentation. LESSON OBJECTIVES After completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Identify five documentation flaws that could lead to legal or survey issues Distinguish between objective and subjective documentation Describe how to correct a documentation error in the medical record Contents of this lesson: A clearly written fact sheet A 10-question post-test to measure understanding of the subject matter An answer sheet with a place for the instructor's comments and signature An illustrative, homecare-specific case study Suggested supplemental learning activities An attendance log and certificate of completion

This lesson on Patients with Casts includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: List two problems that can occur when providing care to patients with casts Identify two complications that should be reported to the supervisor, and Describe the purpose of casts. OVERVIEW Casts are formed materials usually made of plaster or fiberglass that are used to protect and support injured bones and soft tissue. Casts act to reduce pain, swelling, and muscle spasms around injured bones or joints. Sometimes casts are applied after patients have surgery. Orthopedic doctors treat fractures throughout the body except for the skull and face by applying casts. Extremity fractures are most common and usually occur in men younger than age 45 and then become more common in women over age 45 due to bone loss. Accidents and falls are the most common cause of fractures.Home health aides may be assigned to patients who have casts following an injury or illness. They need to know what is required when caring for a patient with a cast. The purpose of this in-service program is to emphasize the knowledge and skills needed when caring for patients with casts.

Home Health Aide On-the-Go In-service Vol 10, Issue 3, Discharge to Community OVERVIEW Patient discharge preparation is a crucial element in completing a successful transition of care. By using their relationship with the patient to encourage adherence to the plan, home health aides play a valuable role in getting the patient ready for discharge. This in-service outlines the role aides play in the discharge process and details how they can promote patient self-management skills, as well as obedience to diet, medication, and exercise regimens. LESSON OBJECTIVES After completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Describe his or her role in preparing the patient for discharge Identify patient self-management skills Describe specific activities of daily living (ADL) the patient/caregiver must master safely prior to discharge Identify and discuss expected patient outcomes prior to discharge Contents of this lesson: A clearly written fact sheet A 10-question post-test to measure understanding of the subject matter An answer sheet with a place for the instructor's comments and signature An illustrative, homecare-specific case study Suggested supplemental learning activities An attendance log and certificate of completion

This lesson on The Homecare Team includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year.