(PA) 610-572-2034
(DE) 302-358-2114
A Service Brought To You By Four Seasons Healthcare
Delaware's Department of Health recently introduced a new home care license model: The Home Health Agency, Aide Only (HHA-AO). The aim is to get both medical expertise and oversight into non-medical homecare and to create more professional and business-like providers.
See the table below to understand the benefits of using a HHA-AO.
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Criteria
Home Health Agency, Aide Only (HHA-AO)
Personal Assistant Services Agency (PASA)
Implications
Regulatory
Model
Must have medical experience & oversight
Social
Home Care is Healthcare so medical oversight is key
Clinical
Director
Full time RN, geriatric expertise
Not required
HHA-AO's expected to be medically-minded and to use trained caregivers supervised by an experienced healthcare professional
Agency
Director
Bachelor's degree in a health-related field
No qualifications required
Would you trust a doctor who isn't qualified? Then why trust a Franchise Director?
Assessment
and
admission
Nursing Assessment: Physical, Social, Mental. Review of drug regimen
No Nursing Assessment. Physical, Social, Mental
Drug review is important to understanding side- effects
How is a non-healthcare person evaluating Physical & Mental status?
Care
Plan
Established by an RN. Nursing Assessment, Needs Assessment, Care Plan
Established by Director who is not required to have medical expertise
TheHHA-AO's care plan is expected to be medically sound
Supervision
Performed by an RN every 60 days
Supervision for PASA is only every 90 days and no RN is required
HHA-AO's medical review is of the entire dynamic. Caregiver can add input about the patient's condition that might add more insight & lead to a better care plan
New hire caregiver
requirements
75 hours of training to include instruction and practicum. Over 2 yr break training course must be repeated.
No 75-hr HHA training program requirement
Better providers use CNA's (150 hrs. of training) who have Nursing Facility experience.
Staff
Development
Training supervised by an RN. 12 Hrs. annually. The better companies have State- approved CEU's (Continuing Education Units).
None required
CNA's are trained to spot potential problems so they can be dealt with in early stages
HHA-AO caregivers are learning up-to-date information and techniques and broadening their professional expertise.
Disaster
preparedness
Substantial section Inregulations with extensive requirements
None mentioned
HHA-AO's required to think-through and plan for the safety and wellbeing of their patients (& caregivers) in a broad range of emergency situations. Must ensure uninterrupted provision of care even in extreme circumstances
Quality
improvement
Ongoing program required. Includes performance measures, patient satisfaction, and process reviews
No Quality Improvement Program required. Review & evaluation of P&Ps required.
HHA-AO's expected to be a more professional and well managed
Source: Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Facilities, Licensing and Certification
Four Seasons Healthcare is licensed as a Home Health Agency-Aide Only (Unskilled, Medical Model) in Delaware {HHAA0-021) and as a non-medical provider of in-home care in Pennsylvania (19323601). We are an Agency and not a Registry. We are not a franchise. We are RN Run and RN Supervised. We are also a Medicaid Waiver provider. You can see the Delaware Home Care Regulations at our website. Be safe - understand the regulations. They are there for your protection.
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