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Home Care Nursing: Surviving in an Ever-Changing Care Environment.

Marrelli, T. (2017).

Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

  
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Home Care Nursing: Surviving in an Ever-Changing Care Environment was designed for anyone delivering or managing patient care in the home. Whether you serve patients receiving intermittent visits, hospice home care, or care for an entire shift, this comprehensive and practical book will answer any questions you have. It is perfect for those new to home care practice, but is also essential for long-term home care providers and managers. The author, Tina Marrelli, is a nurse and consultant known for her other books, particularly what is fondly referred to as the "red book," the Handbook of Home Health Standards: Quality, Documentation and Reimbursement. The author told me this newest book is "everything needed to practice or lead home care but would not fit in the 'red book'"!

 

Each chapter is stand-alone, making it easy for the reader to go directly to the information they need. Fundamental information includes: an overview of Medicare; how to do a windshield assessment; defining the difference between home care and home healthcare; what "homebound" really means; the importance of the physician and certification; the interdisciplinary team; and why home care and its practice is so unique. The author includes checklists, tools, and other resources to aid clinicians. The three parts of an effective home care visit/encounter, and what an effective plan of care "looks like" are described. There is a chapter devoted to documentation of care and related processes-information that is key to demonstrating value in home care. With active hurricane seasons, floods, and other man-made and natural disasters, there is even a chapter on the nurses' role in emergency management. Finally, the appendices contain resources for patients and caregivers, and the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual. I highly recommend Home Care Nursing: Surviving in an Ever-Changing Care Environment-you'll wonder how you ever managed without it!

 

-Contributed by Maureen Anthony, PhD, RN

 

Editor, Home Healthcare Now