Home Health And Wound Care

Common Wound Care Related Diagnoses for Home Health Patients:

1. Amputation Site Care
2. Incision Site Care
3. Cellulitis of the Lower Extremities
4. Diabetic Ulcers
5. Decubitis Ulcers
6. Peripheral Vascular Disease
7. Stasis Ulcers
8. Osteomyelitis

Common Characteristics of Wound Care Patients Who are Home Health Appropriate:

1. Competent family or caregiver who is able and willing to learn the wound care treatment regimen
2. Altered nutritional status
3. At risk for infection
4. Patient displays knowledge deficit related to self-care management
5. Functional limitations due to severe pain

Skilled Home Health Care Services for Patients Requiring Wound Care Treatment:

1. Wound care teaching, observation, and assessment of the wound site and healing process
2. Instruct patient or caregiver about appropriate wound care technique: cleaning, dressing
3. Assess hydration and nutritional status
4. Teach patient and caregiver regarding wound infection control measures
5. RN to evaluate patient pain and implement a pain control/relief program

Home Health Care Goals for the Patient, Family or Caregiver:

1. Daily compliance to medical regimens
2. Wound site is healing and infection free
3. Functional mobility is maintained and improved upon

Additional Teaching and Education for the Patient, Family and Caregiver:

1. Identifying signs and symptoms that necessitate calling the RN or MD
2. All aspects of the specific care related to wound care, including effective hand washing techniques and
safe disposal of soiled dressings
3. Home safety assessment and counseling
4. Importance of compliance related to the care regimens and medical follow up
5. Importance of optimal nutrition and hydration to expedite the healing process
6. Medication instruction, including schedule, route, functions and possible side effects

Wound Care patients will be discharged from Home Health services when the family or caregiver is fully trained and competent in assisting patient with daily tasks or when the patient is no longer homebound; in which case they may be referred to outpatient services if required.