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QIO HHQI Weekly Update :: April 7, 2008   

TIP OF THE WEEK

“Write It Down” for Patient Self-Management Education

Not every patient can manage his/her own care independently and sometimes the primary caregiver does not reside in the patient’s home. At times like these, patients and caregivers need constant reinforcement about the plan of care and signs to watch for that may indicate a condition change.

To combat confusion, the home health agency can provide written education in a consistent place and leave it in the home. This can be a note on the refrigerator, the nightstand, or by the telephone. Clinicians should refer to the written plan at every visit and make changes as appropriate. Encourage the patient to share this plan with other healthcare providers, and include your agency contact information should they have additional questions.

For more active self-managing patients, a personal health history log is another alternative. This requires the patient to keep a diary of office visits, medications, and other pertinent health information to share with providers.

By simply remembering to “write it down,” we can help patients keep track of important changes in condition and other health information.

 

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Patient Dry Erase/Write Board
These dry erase boards make it easy to provide essential information to your patients and their caregivers. Include your contact information and special patient instructions. Then, use the magnetic mounting strip to place it on a refrigerator or other metal surface. Size: 8.5"x11". Package includes dry erase board, marker, and magnetic mounting strip.

 

IN THE NEWS

SURVEY FINDS MANY HOSPITAL PATIENTS DISSATISFIED WITH SOME ASPECT OF THEIR CARE; MOST PATIENTS WOULD RECOMMEND FACILITIES WHERE THEY RECEIVED TREATMENT

-- March 31, 2008 -- Kaiser Network -- Read the article

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Ohio Council for Home Care – Upcoming Education

  • April 11th – Hospice 101
  • April 15th-16th – OASIS Revisited
  • May 13th-15th – Breaking the Code – Competency in Diagnostic Coding

Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care – Upcoming Education

  • April 8th – Basic ICD-9 CM Coding Class
  • April 9th – Beyond Basics ICD-9 CM Coding Class
  • May 12th – Palmetto GBA Updates for Hospice and Home Care

Health Policy Institute of Ohio: Regional Meetings on the Ohio Family Violence Prevention Project

 

The Tip of the Week Archive is available on the Ohio KePRO Web Site.