H E A LT H
HOME CARE – QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK! psychological and social circumstances can often complicate care • A 24-hour emergency line is essential • The caregiver should at least have received accredited Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (QCTO) training • South African Nursing Council (SANC) registration is required when the caregiver is a registered nurse or an enrolled
W
hen a home care supplier
nursing assistant • A criminal check must have • A home care supplier’s service
been performed
is chosen, people often
record must be checked as there are
fail to do the necessary
various fly-by-night suppliers that
earn a minimum wage and
don’t necessarily have the required
that the company is registered
experience or accreditation
and fulfils its SARS obligations.
research, as the care might be urgently needed or because price determines the choice of supplier. As home care is
• Services must follow the
• Make sure that the caregiver/s
Overhead costs of a registered
a specialised and unique service and
prescriptions of treating doctors
company can sometimes
caregivers have to adapt to the familiar
and also accommodate the
contribute to marginally
individual needs of a patient
higher service costs, but it is
environment of the patient’s home, it is essential to ask certain questions so
• The evaluation or assessment that
as to be empowered to choose the best
is performed by a registered nurse
supplier for your needs and that your
– before commencement of the
budget allows.
service – must be the basis of the
There are various questions you need to ask before choosing a home care supplier: • A home care supplier must have a home nursing practice (PR)
are properly researched. A responsible supplier will
formulation and implementation of
ensure its caregivers are trained on
an individual care plan
an ongoing basis as it is important
• Care plans must adhere to sciencebased clinical guidelines • The home care supplier must
for the patient to know that you are receiving the best possible care. A multi-disciplinary team ensures
number, otherwise the caregiver’s
follow a patient-centred approach
that all needs can be met and that
service hours cannot be claimed
that takes into account the patients’
the individual care plan will keep
from your medical scheme
and family’s preferences, needs
the patients’ best interests at heart.
• A home care supplier must have good relationships with the different medical schemes and
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important that these aspects
and values, as well as guiding clinical decisions • The home care supplier supports
Although home care is a relatively new concept in South Africa, Medwell SA’s incorporated
know what can be claimed for and
a multi-disciplinary professional
companies had already entered
how, as not all services are paid for
team approach that looks after all
this field in 1996. •
by all medical schemes
the patient’s needs as physical,
www.medwell.co.za
SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2020/2021
