Technology in home health care extends much farther than simply using GPS to navigate to the next assignment. Every aspect of home care can be made more efficient and accurate by utilizing proven and readily available technology. A large California home care company showed that tablets equipped with home health care software improved the accessibility of clinical information, reduced paper documentation and reduced average documentation time from 72 hours to 24 hours, and also reduced medical supplies by 20% (CHIME, 4/17/14).

Save Time and Reduce Errors

Imagine the typical day of a home health care provider. He or she arrives for the first time at a patient’s home to perform the intake assessment. The lengthy assessment is expected to take at least an hour, gathering information with the patient, with additional time to complete the plan of care. Typically this documentation is completed when the caregiver is at their own home, taking time away from their own families.

Consider the OASIS adult intake form, a 14-page document required for all adult patients utilizing Medicare. Errors or omitted information from this form can hurt reimbursement or result in a rejected claim. Home health software can ensure that the form is fully completed, as well as detect any errors and help resolve them. Additionally, repeated information like the patient’s name and social security number is automatically duplicated, leaving more time for patient care.

Easily Accessible Clinical Information

The home health provider completes the intake and care plan and then heads to the next visit. This visit is a follow-up, but it’s the first time this particular home care provider has visited the patient. Fortunately, the electronic medical record is accessible via their tablet or laptop, so they can review the patient’s medical history and all notes from previous visits. All essential information, test results, pharmacy phone numbers, and physician’s office notes are available and searchable with the appropriate software. Notes from the physician are available to the home care nurse, reducing the time on the phone waiting to copy down the the physician’s orders because they haven’t been faxed to the office yet.

Technology and Improved Job Satisfaction

Many home care providers can become overwhelmed with the extensive documentation, phone calls, and lack of continuity of care. With the institution of smart home health technology, a provider can complete their work more efficiently, improve their work-life balance and reduce stress about completed documentation.

Technology at the caregiver’s fingertips allows for seamless communication within the agency and with physicians, improving the patient’s experience. Integration of supply ordering within the home care software means the supplies will be there when the provider needs them and cutting costs for the agency. All aspects of the home health care provider’s day are more efficient, integrated and patient-care focused with the right technology in hand.