Question
What are some consideration for determining if a child should receive home health care services?
Answer
It is important to consider the following issues when determining if a child should receive home health care services:
Respiratory issues: Children with trachs, ventilators, severe BPD or other lung complications should receive home health services. Children with respiratory problems are very susceptible to illness, especially during RSV season.
Gastrointestinal complications: Children with G tubes or any child that is on a continuous feed would most-likely benefit from home health services.
Immunosuppression: The medical team can help determine if a child’s immunosuppression is such that it makes them eligible for home care services.
Endurance: Endurance may not be seen as problematic for patients in an outpatient setting however for some children, just the car ride to therapy can cause emesis or great fatigue. Therefore, if a child has very poor endurance providing home care services may be the best option for them.
Seasonal considerations: There are children that are considered to be fine when they are outside of RSV or flu season. These children may be better suited for home care services from October through May. They could transition to outpatient during the summer and then transfer back to home health care in the fall.
Geography: Some children can live a significant distance from their pediatrician’s office or hospital. Although this can be a very subjective criterion it is worth considering when deciding if home care services would be beneficial to the patient.
