Deja vu: when it comes to prospective payment, home health agencies can learn from the experiences of acute care hospitals with DRGs - Home Healthcare - Diagnostic Related Groups

Health Management Technology, Oct, 2002 by Patricia B. Dray

Is all the data in the system available for reporting? Products that integrate both clinical and financial information in a single database allow a review of the financial impact of clinical decisions.

Expansion of Telehealth

With reimbursements based on an outcome, home health agencies must seek innovative ways to improve quality of care and outcomes while managing costs. One way is to implement a variety of the telehealth applications. Telehealth solutions can be useful in managing utilization while also addressing chronic nursing shortages in the home care environment.

Digital photography can be used to image a wound of a home care patient. The image can be downloaded to a field device and transmitted electronically to a wound care specialist for assessment. This allows the wound care specialist to assess many more patients from a much broader geographic area and complete assessments more quickly, improving both agency productivity and patient outcomes.

Also, sophisticated patient monitoring products are available that will reduce the number of in-person visits. Products that monitor and report patient blood pressure or lab values such as blood sugars can reduce the need for costly, on-site visits while still maintaining a high level of care quality.

Just as DRGs brought about changes within the acute care world, we are now in a process re-engineering mode in home healthcare. To ensure long-term success, home health agencies must implement many of the same strategies used by acute care hospitals in transitioning to prospective payment. Employing information technology in new ways is a key strategy that will support home health agencies in their reengineering efforts.

Patricia B. Dray, B.S.N., M.B.A., is a home health specialist at 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford, CT. Contact her at pbdray@mmm.com.