Home Health Excellence: Comprehensive Homecare Assessment Part 2

Presented by Kim Tate and Natalie Venable

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Video Runtime: 32 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 56 Minutes

Clinicians often face challenges in conducting comprehensive assessments that accurately reflect a patient-centered care plan, leading to suboptimal care plans and patient outcomes. This course provides home health clinicians with the necessary skills to perform detailed assessments in a patient’s home environment, covering key areas such as mobility, mentation, medication reconciliation, and the integumentary, cardiopulmonary/vascular, endocrine, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems. Through a combination of brief lectures and practical demonstrations, participants will learn to integrate the 4Ms framework and other essential assessment tools into their practice. This course is ideal for nurses, occupational therapists, and other home health professionals seeking to enhance their assessment capabilities and deliver patient-centered care. By improving the accuracy and comprehensiveness of assessments, clinicians can develop more effective, individualized care plans, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Learning Objectives

Identify the key components of a comprehensive homecare assessment and the significance of a holistic, patient-centered care approach
List the steps involved in medication reconciliation and the review of neurological, cognitive, and psychosocial status
Outline the elements of a functional mobility/musculoskeletal assessment, including a room-to-room OASIS walk, environment evaluation, pain assessment, equipment needs, home safety, and fall risk assessment
Label the key areas to assess in integumentary, cardiopulmonary/vascular, genitourinary, and endocrine systems
Label the primary components of gastrointestinal assessments, including nutritional assessment and medical supplies evaluation
Recognize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication with other healthcare providers

Meet your instructors

Kim Tate

Kim Tate is a registered nurse with over three decades of healthcare experience. She is a passionate clinical leader who strives to deliver quality care and positive patient outcomes. She has a bachelor of science in nursing with a proven track record of facilitating and leading the effectiveness of clinical programs,…

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Natalie Venable

Natalie Venable earned her bachelor of science in occupational science from Eastern Kentucky University in 2012, followed by a master of science in occupational therapy in 2014. Her extensive career as an occupational therapist spans various settings, including outpatient care for both adult and pediatric populations, skilled…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Introduction to the Comprehensive Assessment

This chapter will cover the introduction to comprehensive homecare patient assessment, focusing on its key components and the importance of a patient-centered approach. This chapter is important because it lays the foundation for understanding the scope and significance of thorough assessments, ensuring clinicians are prepared to address all aspects of a patient’s health and well-being.

2. Assessing What Matters, Mentation, and Medication

This chapter will cover the assessment of mentation and medication, focusing on cognitive function, psychosocial status, and medication reconciliation. This chapter is important because understanding a patient’s mental state and medication regime is crucial for identifying potential risks and ensuring effective management of their health. Accurate assessments in these areas help clinicians develop individualized care plans that promote improved patient outcomes and safety.

3. Conducting the Functional, Environmental, and Mobility Safety Assessment

This chapter will explore the process of conducting a thorough functional assessment, including the room-to-room OASIS walk, evaluation of musculoskeletal status, pain assessment, DME, home safety, and fall risk assessment. This chapter is important because functional mobility is a key determinant of a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living safely at home. By accurately assessing mobility and related factors, clinicians can develop effective interventions to enhance patient safety and prevent falls, thereby improving overall quality of life.

4. Conducting the Integumentary, Cardiopulmonary/Vascular, Endocrine, and Genitourinary Assessment

This chapter will cover the integumentary, cardiopulmonary/vascular, genitourinary, and endocrine assessments, focusing on skin health, skin issues/wounds and risks, heart and lung function, bladder function, and endocrine status. This chapter is important because these systems are critical indicators of a patient’s overall health and can reveal underlying issues that require the implementation of specific interventions. Comprehensive assessments in these areas enable clinicians to detect and address problems early, improving patient outcomes and preventing complications.

5. Conducting the Gastrointestinal/Nutrition Assessment and Supplies Evaluation

This chapter will cover the assessment of gastrointestinal systems, as well as the evaluation of nutritional status and necessary supplies. This chapter is important because these assessments help identify issues related to digestion and dietary needs, which are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. Proper evaluation and management in these areas ensure that patients receive comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of their health, leading to better outcomes and quality of life.

6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Coordination of Care

This chapter will cover the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination of care. This chapter is crucial because coordinated care among the patient’s care team ensures that all aspects of a patient’s health are addressed comprehensively, and an individualized plan of care is created to meet patient goals. Effective teamwork and communication lead to effective planning and improved patient outcomes.