CMS permits HHAs to provide all necessary telehealth during the emergency period
Must be physician-ordered and on the plan of care
Does not replace in-person visits (telehealth or telephonic visits are not billable visits)
Allows for HHA to supplement in person visits for patients who might refuse more frequent visits or senior living or other congregate living facilities that might be restricting access to HHA personnel.
The Home Health Face to Face visit may also be provided by telehealth but must be performed utilizing 2-way audio and visual programs.
In an effort to protect patients, some SNF, LTC, hospice, and other facilities are limiting the number of visits that Abode Healthcare staff may make to patients in their care. Some patients are even requesting fewer in-person visits to reduce their exposure to the outside world.
Abode Healthcare understands and joins in these protection measures by offering telehealth visits. In some cases where access has been limited or is desired, Abode staff are utilizing telehealth on a weekly or bi-weekly basis in order to maintain contact with high-risk patients.
In all cases, telehealth visits are meant to be supplementary to in-person patient visits. Telehealth visits should not replace in-person visits altogether.
Telehealth Tools
Our commitment, as always, is to serve our patients as best we can. Our clinical team has been trained in effective ways to utilize telehealth systems to streamline patient care through our own remote access system using the following tools:
Phone: Abode Healthcare staff may conduct remote visits with patients through phone calls.
Video: Abode Healthcare staff may conduct remote visits with patients through Doxy.me. (All F2F between NPs or MDs, DOs must be done through a 2-way type of technology. This is for both HH and Hospice)
me can be utilized via tablets or phone and has been selected by Abode due to the ease of use for both the clinician and the patient/family/caregiver as well as its ability to capture/validate that the tele visit occurred, and its security features.
Though telehealth is never our first choice, it is the right choice during this time. Abode Healthcare continues to partner with providers to preserve the health and wellbeing of all of our patients.
Though telehealth is never our first choice, it is the right choice during this time. Abode Healthcare continues to partner with providers to preserve the health and wellbeing of all of our patients.
CMS clarification on homebound status for COVID-19 patients and those at high risk of contracting:
Non-Physician Home Health Certification Authority
Allows patient to be under the care of an NPP to the extent permitted under state law
CMS utilizing discretionary authority not to enforce rules
Must also check state HHA licensure for any barriers to implement
CARES Act makes this relief permanent, but CMS needs to implement
For more information, contact Jon Wilder.Times of uncertainty often bring about reflection on our individual mission and purpose – our “why” in life. We all have a different “why” that has been formed through our passions and life experiences. Maybe your mission and purpose in life is teaching and mentoring the youth in your community, or maybe it is working in law enforcement to keep your community safe. Across the company, we are fortunate to have some of the healthcare industry’s most talented professionals whose “why” also aligns with our mission to provide first-class care to our patients and their families.
While we all adjust to changes in our daily lives, our employees are continuing to fulfill their commitment to our patients. From conducting music therapy in outdoor nursing home courtyards to providing meals for hospital staff and first responders, the current pandemic has even given us the opportunity to be creative in carrying out our mission.
As stated by Rosie Avila, Community Liaison at our Nurses in Touch location, “our purpose here is not for ourselves; it’s for others and in turn their purpose was for us.” This rings true throughout the company, and our employees are living out their mission and purpose every day.
What is your mission and purpose – your “why” in life? Perhaps it will be uncovered during these times. Perhaps it will align with ours. Perhaps it will provide an opportunity for us to partner in carrying out our missions to support our communities. We are all in this together!Due to COVID-19, more and more Americans are practicing social distancing. While working at home, schooling from home, and sheltering in place, it’s understandable to wish for a simpler time when you could leave the house or interact with others outside of your household without worry. With new recommendations from the White House to continue social distancing through at least April 30, it’s more important than ever add a variety of entertainment to your life to keep yourself from feeling stir crazy. Here is a list of activities to help pass the time at a socially responsible distance:
Utilize social media and video apps to stay connected to friends and family. Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts and Zoom are all video options you can use to connect with your long-distance friends.
Walk, jog, hike or bike outdoors (while practicing social distancing from others).
Read your neighborhood forums to see what types of social-distancing activities they have in place. For example, many neighborhoods are participating in bear hunts, where community members place teddy bears in windows so that kids can look for and count bears during their walks.
Write letters to your friends, family, nursing homes, and first responders.
Do some spring cleaning.
Play cards, board games or do a puzzle with your immediate family.
Cook dinner – make a pizza from scratch or try a recipe that you’ve never made before because it was time-consuming.
Join an online book club or meet with your friends virtually to discuss a book.
Take a nap.
Watch a movie or your favorite TV series on Netflix.
Dig out your old coloring books. Coloring isn’t just for kids!
Call the elderly people in your life and check on them. This would be a great time to interview your grandparents to learn more about their lives.
Make a photobook online by uploading your favorite pictures from this past year.
Buy gift cards from your favorite local businesses to use after social-distancing ends.
Let’s make the best out of this current situation by staying positive and being responsible. Spread the love, not COVID-19!
Our Continued Diligence to Patient Care
Abode Healthcare has hired an infectious disease physician as an expert resource to help guide our decisions related to prevention and management of COVID-19.
All employees of Abode Healthcare have been re-educated on infection control, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as effective handwashing techniques.
Abode Healthcare has implemented new policies and procedures related to PPE and all medical equipment to decrease the potential for disease transmission.
As a company, we have revised and implemented new ways for communication to take place within the leadership of our company to ensure that any and all important information is distributed, received and acted upon in a timely manner.
Abode Healthcare has developed a national two-level screening process for our patients.
Level one is a screening tool that is used for ALL of our patients.
Level two is an enhanced screening tool that is implemented in areas where there are confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Nationwide, Abode has implemented a screening process that takes place daily for our employees to decrease the risk for any transmission of the disease.
We have developed and implemented use of the Abode’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, created specifically for our agency based on current recommendations from the CDC and the WHO.
This is a dynamic tool that will we will continue to revise and adapt as the situation evolves.
Abode Healthcare has secured necessary supplies for infection control practices as we continue to monitor and purchase more to effectively replenish our stocks.
Each of our locations has performed a live “mock” training event across every Abode agency with all employees to review our plans, discuss our specific roles, and ensure that every employee feels confident during this time to continue to provide the best care to our patients.
Confidence and dedication to patient care is key!
For patients being treated in Nursing Facilities with restricted access to outside visitors, we have implemented the following procedures:
Abode Healthcare has developed a remote visit for visits other than nursing, that can be done via phone with the patient, the caregiver, and with a representative at the facility that can provide information to us in order to collaborate on their plan of care.
Remote visits are available for social worker, chaplain, and music therapy visits.
The patients, families, caregivers, and physicians will be updated of any changes to the frequency or type of services we are allowed to provide.
Our dedication to our patients and family members during this time of need is our focus. We are here. Please let us know how we can help assist in any way with any patient in need during this time.
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is here in the United States and more people are getting sick, but the message remains the same: do not panic. We’re reminded of the safety briefing on a plane “if the oxygen masks drop down and we lose altitude, put your mask on and stay calm.” Not panicking is easier said than done for many of us. In fact, it is completely normal to panic when there is fear of catching a potentially deadly virus or fear of your plane going down.
Here are some tips and reminders on how to remain calm and help decrease your panic or anxiety:
Start with grounding. Find the present moment by looking around at your surroundings. Exercise your five senses; what do you see, smell, hear, touch, feel?
Listen to the experts. You’re not likely to get the virus, but if you do, you’re very likely to have mild or moderate symptoms. Live life as you normally would. Healthcare experts provide these practical tips for prevention against COVID-19 or other viruses:
– Wash your hand frequently and thoroughly
– Maintain a 3-6 foot distance in social situations with anyone who is coughing or sneezing
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
– Stay home if you are experiencing a cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, and seek medical care.More advice is available online on the World Health International website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Talk with others. When something is bothering you, talk about it. Tell your friends or spouse or partner “this virus makes me nervous.” Tell them why. Just talking about it helps.
Be optimistic. Tell yourself, “everything is going to be OK. Most people are going to be just fine. I’ll be fine, too.”
Use coping statements. “This is a bad virus, but we are going to be OK. This is temporary. I’ve been through bad things before and I can get through this. When the fear comes up, I’m going to acknowledge it and let it roll off my shoulder. I can handle it. I can deal with it. This too shall pass.”
Practice good self-care. Eat healthy. Drink water. Exercise. Engage in your hobbies. Socialize. Nurture your spirit.
Shared with permission by First Choice Health EAP.
According to the Center for Disease Control, handwashing is your best defense against the spread of germs.
The CDC recommends washing your hands before, during, and after prepping food; before eating; before and after caring for a loved one; before and after treating a cut or wound; after using the toilet; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; after touching an animal or animal waste; after touching garbage; or after changing a diaper or cleaning up after a child.
Also consider washing your hands after touching surfaces in a public space; before and after work; and after using public transportation.
What is the best hand washing technique?
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds – the same amount of time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice.
Wet your hands.
Apply soap and lather well.
Scrub your hands, including the backs of your hands and in between your fingers. If you’re wearing a ring, make sure to scrub underneath it!
Rinse your hands well.
Dry your hands.
If you do not have access to soap and water, consider a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover your hands with the hand sanitizer and rub your hands together until your hands are dry.
Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, but especially with unwashed hands.
For more information on the science behind washing your hands, visit:https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-handwashing.html
Non-Physician Home Health Certification Authority
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is here in the United States and more people are getting sick, but the message remains the same: do not panic. We’re reminded of the safety briefing on a plane “if the oxygen masks drop down and we lose altitude, put your mask on and stay calm.” Not panicking is easier said than done for many of us. In fact, it is completely normal to panic when there is fear of catching a potentially deadly virus or fear of your plane going down.
Here are some tips and reminders on how to remain calm and help decrease your panic or anxiety:
