The Relationship Between Demographic Characteristics and Nursing Problems in Home Health Care

Abstract

The delivery of home health services that are accessible and cost effective is contingent on understanding the characteristics and needs of the aggregates who use the services. This study examined the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and nursing problems among a sample of home health patients. Data were gathered by retrospective record review of all 209 patients with medical-surgical problems who were discharged from home health services during a six-week period. Nursing diagnoses were identified by nurses at the time of the admission assessment. Impaired mobility, the most frequent nursing diagnosis, occurred in 73% of the sample, cardiovascular problems in 52%, and respiratory problems in 48%. Analysis of the data revealed a relationship between source of payment and age with nursing diagnosis. No significant relationship was found between nursing diagnosis and gender, although a weak relationship was identified with living arrangement. Results have important implications for the planning, delivery, and reimbursement of home care services that equitably address populations with the greatest nursing needs. If patients with specific predisposing characteristics have different needs, it may be possible to evaluate patients more accurately early in care delivery so that these needs can be more effectively met.

Validity of the Alberta Assessment and Placement Instrument (AAPI) for Use in Admitting Long-Term Care Clients to Home Care

“…A cardiac condition was the most frequent diagnosis in this study; as has been reported in other studies of community dwelling seniors (Esposito, 1992;Helberg, 1994). The larger proportion of women to men in this age range and marital status of the subjects are also consistent with the literature on home care and aging (Dellaseger & Stricklin, 1993;Glick, 1994;Health and Welfare Canada, 1992;Kempen & Suurmeijer, 1991;Statistics Canada, 1991).…”

Patient Problems and Advanced Practice Nurse Interventions During Transitional Care

“…Approximately nine problems per patient were documented from hospital admission through 1 month postdischarge. In general, the nature of the problems documented for this sample is consistent with problems reported for similar patient populations (Glick, 1994; Zink, 1994; Moneyham & Scott, 1997; Schultz, 1997).…”