For patients and caregivers who are new to Home Health services, one of the most common questions is: “What exactly does a nurse do during a home visit?”
A Home Health nurse provides professional nursing care based on a physician’s order to help patients recover safely and maintain their health at home.
🩺 1. Patient Assessment
During each visit, the nurse carefully assesses the patient’s overall condition.
- Measures vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and temperature
- Checks for symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness
- Observes swelling, wounds, and skin condition
- Monitors changes since the previous visit
This assessment helps with early detection of problems and prevention of complications.
💊 2. Medication Management & Education
Medication management is one of the most important parts of home care.
- Reviews all current medications
- Educates patients and caregivers on proper dosing, timing, and precautions
- Monitors for side effects or adverse reactions
- Communicates with the physician if medications do not match the current orders
👉 This helps reduce medication errors and improves patient safety.
🧼 3. Wound Care & Skilled Nursing Services
Based on the physician’s orders, the nurse provides skilled nursing care, including:
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Monitoring for signs of infection
- Care for PEG tubes, Foley catheters, and tracheostomies
- Injections, infusion therapy, and oxygen therapy
- Blood sugar monitoring and insulin education for patients with diabetes
All care is provided according to medical standards and strict infection control guidelines.
🏠 4. Safety Education & Fall Prevention
Home Health nurses focus on helping patients stay safe in their own homes.
- Identifying fall risks in the home
- Teaching safe walking and transfer techniques
- Providing safety tips for bathrooms, bedrooms, and stairs
- Educating on what to do in emergency situations
This plays a key role in preventing hospital readmissions.
📚 5. Patient & Caregiver Education
Home Health nursing is not just about performing medical tasks.
- Explaining the patient’s condition in an easy-to-understand way
- Teaching warning signs and symptoms to watch for
- Educating when to call the nurse versus when to call 911
- Providing guidance on lifestyle changes and diet as ordered by the physician
The goal is to help caregivers feel confident and supported in caring for their loved ones.
📞 6. Communication With Physicians & the Care Team
- Reports changes in the patient’s condition to the physician
- Requests and follows new medical orders
- Coordinates care with therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals
The Home Health nurse serves as an important link between the patient and the healthcare team.
💙 The Goal of Home Health Nursing
- Help patients live safely and comfortably at home
- Prevent unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital readmissions
- Support patients and families so they feel informed, confident, and reassured
📌 This information is provided for educational purposes only. Actual services may vary based on the physician’s orders and the patient’s condition.
If you have questions or believe Home Health services may be right for you or your loved one, please feel free to contact us anytime.
