Congratulations to the WMHS Home Health Care staff for receiving their recertification from the State of Maryland's Office of Health Care Quality (OHQC), the agency within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene responsible for monitoring the quality of care in the state's 8,000 health care and community residential programs. The WMHS team, led by Director Pam Ackerman and Assistant Director Jane Jenkins, accomplished an unheard of "deficiency-free" state survey. Kudos to the Home Health Care Staff for their excellent work!
About Home Health Care Services
Western Maryland Health System Home Health Care staff provides patient care where the patient is most comfortable—in his home. Under the direction of the patient's physician, the home health care services team works with the patient and his family to ensure quality health care while the patient recuperates at home. In addition to providing periodic skilled nursing care, our nurses teach the patient and his family about the patient's illness and how to care for it.
The Home Health Care Team
Skilled nursing care is one of the primary functions of the Home Health Care Services team. Registered nurses visit patients as medically indicated and are available for patient visits seven days a week. Other professionals available include:
Home Health Aides
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Speech Pathologists
Medical Social Workers
Services Available
Skilled Nursing Care, including Wound Care
Intravenous Therapy for Pain Control, Nutrition and Antibiotics
Personal Care
Physical Therapy
Speech Pathology
Medical Social Services
Who is Eligible for Home Health Care?
Patients do not need to be hospitalized prior to their request for home health care services. Personal care is available only to patients who require periodic skilled intermittent care. Home health care services are open to those who:
Are referred by their physicians
Are under the care of a physician
Are homebound
Are in need of short-term, intermittent skilled nursing care
Live in Allegany County or in specific areas in Garrett County, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania
Have an individual who will act as their primary care giver at home
Who Pays?
Most home health care services are covered by insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
For more information, or to request home health care services, call 240-964-9100.
