Common Home Health Terms Defined
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
An RN, generally with an advanced nursing degree, who has received training in a medical specialty and can conduct assessments, formulate a diagnosis, and institute treatments. Boundaries of practice vary from state to state.
Case Conference
A meeting to coordinate care, address challenges, and set goals for home health care services. These conferences are frequently multidisciplinary and usually include family caregivers.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996 (HIPAA)
Protects your health care information.
Home Health Aide (HHA)
These are paraprofessional staff members who provide a variety of services from complex personal care to light duties around the home. New Care does not provide HHAs at this time.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of HealthCare Organizations (JCAHO)
An organization that conducts surveys for accreditation based on established standards and guidelines. New Care has been accredited by JCAHO since 1991.
Medical Social Worker (MSW)
This licensed professional helps the client and/or family with a multitude of psychosocial needs, such as adjusting to illness, accessing community resources, and obtaining financial aid. New Care does not provide MSWs at this time.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
A licensed professional responsible for the plan of treatment designed to optimize functional activities, such as eating, dressing, grooming and other tasks requiring upper body fine motor skills. New Care does not provide OTs at this time.
Plan of Care (POC)
The medical treatment plan authorized by the physician, developed with the help of the home health clinical staff and input from the family. Each New Care client has a POC written spefically for his or her needs.
Physical Therapist (PT)
A licensed professional who strives to design exercise programs or rehabilitation goals that will help in the restoration of muscle function, ambulating, strength, or coordination. New Care does not provide PTs at this time.
Private Duty Nursing (PDN)
RN or LPN care and services provided to an individual client in his/her place or residence on an hourly or shift basis. This is the private duty nursing that New Care provides to its clients.
New Care RNs and LPNs
Our licensed nurses work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for clients, families, and communities. When providing direct client care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress in clients; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. RNs also develop and manage nursing care plans, instruct clients and their families in proper care, and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health.
Respite Care
Limited, occasional skilled or unskilled care used to give family caregivers a break from care giving to meet their own needs.
Skilled Nursing Care
Specialized nursing care provided by competent, qualified nurses — requires the skills and education of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Speech Therapist (ST)
A licensed professional who assists clients in achieving maximum communication skills. New Care does not provide STs at this time.
