QUESTIONS TO ASK...
How to Select a Home Nursing Care Provider
The most important question facing a patient or the family in need of home health care is how to go about selecting a nursing service that is best for the patient. You can start by writing down all of the services the patient will need. This information will be helpful when you talk to potential providers.
Doctors
Most people begin by looking in the phone book, but a better idea is to ask your doctor or the doctor's office staff for recommendations. They have most likely interacted with several nursing providers in your area and these interactions have either created trust or mistrust.
Hospitals
You can your local hospital, but some hospitals may promote their own service. Their service may be very good, but you may want to get some reviews from others that have used their service.
Phone Book
When you look through your phone book you will want to look under Home Health Services. You want to see a local mailing address. Otherwise you may be dealing with an out-of-town referral service and have difficulty getting prompt assistance.
Internet
You can check the Internet for home health services or private nursing services in your area. You can also check for reviews of the companies online. Check Google, MSN, Yahoo and Metacrawler for reviews. Often, different search engines have different results. Websites can provide far more information than Yellow Pages ads.
Things to Consider When Contacting Agencies and Providers
- Was the phone answered professionally?
- This can be an important indicator of how well services are provided.
- Were they helpful and eager to provide information?
- How long have they been in business?
- How long have employees stayed with them?
- Who is in charge of clinical services?
- Is it someone such as a Registered Nurse with extensive home health nursing experience?
- Is there a Case Manager on staff?
- Ask about the qualifications of the particular person or persons they propose to send.
- What level of training have they received?
- What is the term of their employment with the agency?
- Do they have any required registration or certification?
- Have they been drug tested and background screened?
- Are they bonded and insured?
- Who is responsible for payroll taxes and workers compensation insurance? Some agencies, known as "registries", transfer the burden of withholding taxes to the patient.
References
It is important to ask for references and contact these references. Ask how satisfied they were with the services provided. How long did they use the provider/agency? How did they hear about the nursing provider/agency? If they heard about the company from a friend that used the service ask if you can contact them.
Making a Decision
Finally review your notes and select the service you will be most comfortable with and will be best able to provide the needed services. Make sure they understand it will be on a trial basis and will be cancelled if for any reason you are dissatisfied. Most will willingly agree.
Michael Kelsey, Administrator