Last week on the forum, home health nurses engaged in rich discussions around practical challenges and solutions in their daily work. Key themes included managing the logistics of first visits when supplies are delayed, and the delicate balance of incorporating continuing education without impacting patient care. There was also a shared interest in refining handoff processes to ensure smoother transitions in care.
This Week’s Hot Topics
First visits when supplies lag
Navigating first visits can be tricky when supplies are delayed. This thread explores strategies for ensuring patient needs are met despite logistical hiccups. Read more here
Quick check-in sheet for tense visits
Managing tense visits can be challenging. This discussion focuses on using a check-in sheet to help maintain professionalism and calm. Read more here
Scheduling CE without derailing visits
Balancing continuing education with patient care is crucial. Members share tips on how to schedule CE without compromising visit quality. Read more here
Handoff checklist for smoother home visits
Efficient handoffs are vital for continuity of care. This thread discusses creating a checklist to streamline the process. Read more here
CE topics that align with HHVBP
Aligning continuing education topics with Home Health Value-Based Purchasing is a focus here. This discussion offers suggestions on relevant topics. Read more here
Cat stole my pulse ox
A lighter moment—nurses share amusing tales and practical advice when unexpected home situations arise, like a pet playing with equipment. Read more here
Care plan vs the doorbell
This topic dives into managing distractions like unexpected visitors during visits, and how to stick to the care plan amidst interruptions. Read more here
Thank you for contributing to an engaging and supportive community. Looking forward to another week of shared learning and professional growth.
I keep a small ‘first-visit go bag’ in my trunk — spare tire for nursing visits — so when supplies are delayed I cover the basics and tell patients, ‘today we bridge, tomorrow we complete,’ then drop a timestamped handoff note with what’s pending and the vendor ETA. If your agency bans personal stock, @Devon, I’ve had luck asking DME for a same-day porch drop and doing a brief non-clinical check-in so the next visit runs clean.
When dispatch flags a delay, I call ahead and text a one-liner — “today we assess/educate, tomorrow we implement” — so first visits don’t feel like a bust. I drop a timestamped supply ETA and plan in the EMR handoff so the next nurse isn’t blindsided — @jgriffin42 your go-bag pairs well with that. If the delay pushes past 24 hours, I loop scheduling to convert the follow-up to a priority slot so it doesn’t drift.
I’ve started bringing a small laminated day-one card for delayed-supply visits: quick safety scan, med reconciliation, and marking the setup spot with painter’s tape so the follow-up is plug-and-play — feels like the pit crew before the race. Building on @hmclean89, I leave a one-line fridge note — ‘prep today, place tomorrow’ — so expectations stick. Caveat: if the delay looks past 24 hours, I ping DME for a local pickup or vendor swap so we don’t end up doing two ‘first’ visits.
I’ve had smoother day-ones when I add ‘partial OK — drop basics today’ in the order comments and call the vendor to approve a porch drop, @Nora_LVN. Not every DME will split shipments and there may be a small fee, but having a few essentials on site lets me teach and stage safely without the visit feeling wasted.
I once had a patient where supplies went MIA, so I pivoted to a thorough assessment and education session instead. Sometimes those first visits turn into valuable teaching moments, right? Just remember that the patient’s comfort and understanding is key, even when the logistics aren’t cooperating.