Resources
Free Webinar: Global Issues in Medication Management: Implications for Home Health Nurses
Medication Management Webinar – access recording
Webinar’s Powerpoint Slides
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI, 2011). How-to Guide: Prevent Adverse Drug Events by Implementing Medication Reconciliation
World Health Organization (WHO, 2011) Improving Medication Safety
World Health Organization (WHO, 2011) Improving Medication Safety. Go to pages 241-258.
IHCNO Guidelines and Medications
Supplemental Powerpoint: “Managing Medications Magnificently”
Med Reconciliation SBAR Communication Template
International Guidelines for Home Health Nursing
International Guidelines for Home Health Nursing
The International Guidelines for Home Health Nursing can be viewed on our dedicated Guidelines page. Click Here to read more.
Print a copy of the Guidelines
For your convenience, The International Guidelines for Home Health Nursing has been made available in a printer-friendly version. Click Here to view the printable copy.
Articles about Guidelines
Several articles about the Guidelines have been published in Home Healthcare Now about why and how the guidelines were developed, and how home health nurses can help to update the guidelines.
• Narayan, M. C., Harris, M., Farris, C., Hiong, F. Y., McEnroe-Petitte, D. M. (2017). International Guidelines for Home Health Nursing. Home Healthcare Now, 35(8), 450. Short article encouraging nurses to attend a webinar about the “International Guidelines for Home Healthcare Nursing.” Includes a brief summary about the mission and activities of the IHCNO.
• Narayan, M. C., Harris, M. D., Farris, C., Hiong, F. Y. (2017). Development of the International Guidelines for Home Health Nursing. Home Healthcare Now, 35(9), 494–506. Detailed description of the process used to develop the Guidelines. Includes first publication of the Guidelines.
• Harris, M. (2018). International Home Care Nurses Organization (IHCNO) Webinar. Home Healthcare Nurse, 36(2), 131. Short article about the October 2017 webinar about the Guidelines. Includes a summary of participants’ questions and ideas related to the Guidelines.
Discuss the Guidelines
The Guidelines are a work in progress. We think of this present first version as a foundation for updates that will strengthen the Guidelines and render them more universal. Please contact Mary Narayan, mary.narayan@ihcno.org, Chair of the Guidelines Committee, with comments, concerns or interest in participating in the next revision of the Guidelines. Put “International Guidelines for Home Health Nursing” in the subject. We would also be interested in how you have used the Guidelines in your personal practice, incorporated into policies or if you have translated the Guidelines.
Marilyn Harris suggested ways home health nurses can contribute to information needed to develop the next revision of the Guidelines in an article entitled, International Home Care Nurses Organization (IHCNO) Webinar (March/April 2017 issue of Home Healthcare Now, p. 131). Issues she asked nurses to discuss and report are below. Send your comments to mary.narayan@ihcno.org.
1. Do you think the Guidelines, as aspirational objectives, are appropriate for home healthcare nurses in your country?
2. What issues do home health nurses face in your country?
3. In your country, are there any existing professional or government guidelines specifically for home health nursing practice?
4. How do you define a “home healthcare nurse”?
5. Does your country promote specialized education for home healthcare nurses?
6. In your country, are home health nurses able to practice to the full extent of their knowledge and expertise?
7. How often and by whom is your professional practice evaluated?
8. How do home health nurses in your country stay abreast of “evidence-based” care practices?
9. How is the safety of home healthcare nurses protected?
Clinician Education Resources – posted August 2019
Skin Care Algorythm
The authors perform a review of the literature to determine best practices for the care of patients in residential care facilities at risk for skin problems. They then developed an algorithm (p. 525) to make decisions about nursing interventions to preserve skin integrity. This algorithm may help home care nurses choose interventions to promote their patients’ skin integrity. Home care nurses may want to include the algorithm on p. 525 in their personal resources.
Patient Education Resources – posted August 2019
How to Take Care of Dry Skin
This low-literacy patient education resource was derived from Medline Plus, U.S. Library of Medicine 2017.
Changes and Care of Aging Skin
Archived Clinician/Patient Education Resources
Cardiovascular Resources
Clinician resource:
How to Obtain Accurate Blood Pressure Readings
Patient education resources:
Healthy Heart Workbook (Basic plan for patients with cardiovascular problems; low health literacy, 13 pages)
Medication Resources
Clinician resource:
Assess patient’s knowledge of their medications.
Assess patient’s risk for non-adherence.
Ensuring Effective Medication Reconciliation in Home Healthcare.
Patient education resources:
Medication Record Tool to help patients take right med, right does, right time.
English Low Literacy Med Schedule
Chinese Low Literacy Med Schedule
Russian Low Literacy Med Schedule
Diabetes Resources
Clinician Resource:
Diabetes Medication Reference for Clinicians. Courtesy of HHQI.
Patient Education Resources:
Diabetic Zone Tools in various languages. Zone Tools use the colors of a traffic light to guide patients in managing chronic health problems. The tool is divided into green (“all clear”), yellow (“caution”), and red (“medical alert”) zones. For each zone, the tool provides signs and symptoms and allows the health care provider to give specific instructions for managing the condition, including guidance on when to seek emergency medical assistance. Resources are courtesy of HHQI.
Of Interest to Home Healthcare Nurses
Home Healthcare’s Research Priorities
Jarrín, O. F., Pouladi, F. A., & Madigan, E. A. (2019). International priorities for home care education, research, practice, and management: Qualitative content analysis. Nursing Education Today, 73, 83-87. doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.11.020. This study reports the findings of a research project that originated during discussions at the first IHCNO conference in Cleveland Ohio USA, in 2015. Learn more
Nursing Now
A new international nursing movement. Learn more
Patient Safety in the Home
Institute of Healthcare Improvement Report. Learn more
VNAA/EH Resources
IHCNO and Visiting Nurse Associations of America Share Resources Learn more