Guidelines for the medical management of the home-care patient. American Medical Association Home Care Advisory Panel
Increasing numbers of patients of all ages are receiving needed health care
services in non-institutional settings. Acute, subacute, rehabilitative,
preventive, long-term, and hospice services are provided in the home under
the physician's supervision. The safe and appropriate treatment of these
patients involves the physician in a team effort as most home care is
provided by nurses, other allied health professionals, and family members.
The guidelines cover such areas as the role of the physician; the
physician-patient relationship; the elements of medical management in home
care, including the evaluation/assessment process, the selection of the
interdisciplinary team, and the development of the care plan; patient's
rights and responsibilities; the coordination of care; and the use of
community resources.
