Home health care software
The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (August 2018) |
Home health care software sometimes referred to as home care software or home health software falls under the broad category of health care information technology (HIT).[1] HIT is “the application of information processing involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information, data, and knowledge for communication and decision making”[2] Home health software is designed specifically for companies employing home health providers, as well as government entities who track payments to home health care providers.[3]
History
The first use of home health care software was in the 1990s, with companies making software based on the
GrandPad is designed to reduce loneliness in older people.[5]
Types of software
There are clinical and non-clinical applications of home health care software. Including types such as agency software, hospice solutions, clinical management systems, telehealth solutions, and electronic visit verification. Depending on the type of software used, companies can track health care employee visits to patients, verify payroll, and document patient care.[6] Governments can also use home health care software to verify visits from providers who bill them for services.[6] Use of some software is mandated by government agencies such as OASIS assessment information that must be transmitted electronically by home health care providers.[7]
Agency software
Agency software is used by home health care providers for office use and is a subset of medical practice management software used by inpatient clinics and doctors offices. Agency software is used for billing, paying vendors, staff scheduling, and maintaining records associated with the business.[8] Agency software can be standalone or part of software packages, that include electronic visit verification to track hours of employees and time spent on home visits and patient care. Agency software can be purchased or leased through various vendors.[8]
Agency software can range from Medical Home Health EMRs, Hospice EMRs, or non-medical Home Care Software.[9] There are additional sub-categories of home health and related software solutions.
Electronic visit verification
Electronic visit verification (often referred to as EVV) is a method used to verify home healthcare visits to ensure patients are not neglected and to cut down on fraudulently documented home visits. EVV monitors locations of caregivers, and is mandated by certain states, including
Outcome and assessment information set (OASIS)
Home health care providers that participate in Medicaid are required to report specific data about patient care known as Outcome and Assessment Information Set-C (OASIS-C).
Software delivery platforms
On-site server based model
The software is hosted on servers located and maintained on-site at the agency. The localization of the data provides the agency direct access to the computers hosting their software and may also require the agency to maintain the technology that hosts the software.[12]
Cloud based software model
The software is deployed on a cloud system maintained by the software vendor. The off-site maintenance of the cloud system results in a lower cost to the home health agency and provides access to the agency's data from off-site locations.[13]
See also
References
- ISBN 9780323295055.
- ^ Brailer, T; Thompson, D (2004). "Health IT strategic framework". Department of Health and Human Services.
- ^ a b Diana, Alison (5 November 2014). "GPS Cuts Fraud, Costs For Home Healthcare". Information Week. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9780763755829.
- ^ "An iPad for 80-Year-Olds: Senior-Citizen Carrier Bets on Tablets". Bloomberg. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Dawson, Lisa (2 March 2015). "Five Facts about Electronic Visit Verification for Home Health Agencies". Axxess official website. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ Brunsberg, Sarah (15 June 2012). "The Home Health Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)". Research Data Assistance Center. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9781599185415.
- ^ "Why You Need a Home Care Software". CareTime Home Care Software & EVV. 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
- ^ Milligan, Susan (3 April 2015). "Medicaid Expansion Spurs States to Fight Fraud, Overpayments". Government Technology. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9781133708124.
- ^ "Home Health Software Buyer's Guide | Data Soft Logic". Data Soft Logic. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
- ^ "Comparing EMR Software: 9 Must-Have Features - Capterra Blog". blog.capterra.com. Retrieved 2016-05-19.