Happy 2016 to all our readers! I know you join me in wondering where the last year went. As they say, time flies when you're having fun-and I have been having fun. It has been 1 year since we launched the new and improved Home Healthcare Now. Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to write and tell me how much you love the journal. Your comments are very important to me. We strive to make it your journal. Are there topics you would like addressed in future issues of Home Healthcare Now? Those of you who are practicing clinicians, managers, or administrators are my best source for relevant and cutting-edge topics. Please e-mail me at mailto:[email protected] with your ideas.
Home healthcare managers and administrators often tell me how difficult it is to hire the right person for home care. Providing an extended orientation, only to have the person leave the agency during or shortly afterward is costly in terms of dollars and human effort. What are the qualities and characteristics of a successful home care clinician? Has your agency been particularly successful at talent acquisition and employee retention and satisfaction? If so I would love to hear from you. Your experience and advice would be greatly appreciated. This could be written as a feature article or for our Consult PRN department.
As a nurse educator, I know how difficult it is to get clinical placements for student nurses, particularly at home healthcare agencies. In fact, some schools have indicated they would increase student admissions if not for the difficulty finding clinical partners. It is understandable given the demands placed on clinicians and administrators in terms of financial pressures and changing expectations with regard to patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. We are continually asked to do more with less. Electronic medical records have also created an onerous administrative burden. Gone are the days when a student could be sent to a patient's home with paper and pen and a verbal report. Since the New Year is traditionally a time to make resolutions for the coming year, I am hoping you will resolve to find a way to bring students of all disciplines into the important specialty of home healthcare. Exposure to home care as a student may very well be an important factor in attracting the right candidates in the future.
This issue brings you some very important feature articles. Our CE feature this month is "Medical Marijuana," by Dr. Teri Capriotti. The widespread use of marijuana and the legalization of both recreational and/or medical marijuana in some states have placed this topic front and center for home care clinicians. This informative article will answer all your questions. Our assessment series continues this month with neurological assessment by Dr. Deborah Fritz and Maryann Musial. Assessment skills are the basis for all we do as clinicians, and honing assessment skills is essential. Dr. Arena and colleagues conducted a study on calibration rates of aneroid blood pressure manometers. Returning author Dr. Marshall conducted a study to determine if there are predictors of hospitalization for dehydration and malnutrition for patients with dementia. Although none of the study variables were correlated with hospitalization for dehydration/malnutrition, this article reminds us of the need to be proactive in consulting palliative care specialists to prevent hospitalizations and invasive artificial feedings that don't prolong life and may very well decrease quality of life. Authors Leslie and Lonneman conducted a literature review about the concept of trust in the relationship between registered nurses and home care patients. Trust is the foundation of a therapeutic relationship that leads to patient engagement, and this article has implications for all home care clinicians. Finally, we are reprinting an interview with editorial board member Lisa Gorski that was originally published on Lippincott's http://NursingCenter.com. Lisa is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in home healthcare and an expert in infusion nursing. She is a valuable resource for Home Healthcare Now, and I am pleased to share her interview with our readers.
The issue has all this and our regular departments to inform and guide your practice. Enjoy, and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.